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Ladies Night Out draws large crowds to downtown Warwick

| 28 Aug 2012 | 06:05
    Dancing at Railroad Green.
    Dancing at Railroad Green.
    Many visitors enjoyed relaxing at one of the attractive outdoor cafes in the village.
    Many visitors enjoyed relaxing at one of the attractive outdoor cafes in the village.
    Ladies lined up for a red rose and other prizes at a bean bag toss sponsored by Leo Kaytes Ford.
    Ladies lined up for a red rose and other prizes at a bean bag toss sponsored by Leo Kaytes Ford.
    Photos by Roger Gavan Large crowds of ladies and more than a few men enjoyed excellent weather as they strolled through downtown Warwick visiting shops, vendors and restaurants.
    Photos by Roger Gavan Large crowds of ladies and more than a few men enjoyed excellent weather as they strolled through downtown Warwick visiting shops, vendors and restaurants.
    Members of the Warwick Valley High School girls varsity softball team were raising funds to help pay fortravel to a spring tournement and training camp in Florida.
    Members of the Warwick Valley High School girls varsity softball team were raising funds to help pay fortravel to a spring tournement and training camp in Florida.
    New for this year, the 2012 Ladies Night Out also benefited Safe Homes of Orange County, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate all forms of domestic violence through education, outreach and providing services to individuals and families affected by domestic abuse. Representing Safe Homes were, from left: Stephenie Molinelli, Shara Berb, Kelly Ann Kostyal-Larrier and Elston Craver.
    New for this year, the 2012 Ladies Night Out also benefited Safe Homes of Orange County, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate all forms of domestic violence through education, outreach and providing services to individuals and families affected by domestic abuse. Representing Safe Homes were, from left: Stephenie Molinelli, Shara Berb, Kelly Ann Kostyal-Larrier and Elston Craver.
    Karen and Robert Campell with their granddaughter, Sky MacFarland, enjoying Ladies Night Out in costume, just for fun.
    Karen and Robert Campell with their granddaughter, Sky MacFarland, enjoying Ladies Night Out in costume, just for fun.

WARWICK — As predicted by Tim Mullally, chair of the event, the Downtown Warwick Merchants’ 15th anniversary celebration of “Ladies Night Out” and “Queen for a Day” was buzzing with excitement and activity on Thursday evening, Aug. 23.
Large crowds of ladies and more than a few men enjoyed excellent weather as they strolled through downtown Warwick visiting shops, vendors and restaurants, watching demonstrations, listening to musical entertainment, dancing on Railroad Green or just relaxing at one of the attractive outdoor cafes in the village. And many of the stores also offered refreshments and special treats free of charge to all visitors.
Sidewalk vendors included non-profit organizations and those whose focus was on women’s health, fitness, beauty and fashion. Actors from the Renaissance Faire were also on hand to entertain as well as distribute information.
Railroad Green was the site of numerous activities such as a women’s self defense demonstration by Chosun Taekwondo Academy, weight-lifting to music and line dancing.
New for this year, the 2012 Ladies Night Out also benefited Safe Homes of Orange County, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate all forms of domestic violence through education, outreach and providing services to individuals and families affected by domestic abuse. Representatives of the organization provided information about all its available services at their stand on the corner of Railroad Avenue and Main Street.
The highlight of the evening occurred when Mullally placed a special crown on Terry Odell, director of the Acting Out Playhouse, who had been chosen as this year’s “Queen for a Day.”
Although there are no exact figures to assess its economic impact, this year’s Ladies Night Out produced record sales for the downtown merchants and Warwick restaurants, both in and outside of the village, were packed. The event also attracted visitors from throughout the Metropolitan area and in one case, as far away as the Jersey Shore.
“It’s huge,” said Mullally. “People even schedule their vacations for other times so they won’t miss it.”