More to Do at This Year's Mt. Kisco Sidewalk Sales

Merchants displaying finery, food purveyors serving up delectable creations and entertainment for all are the key ingredients to the Mount Kisco Sidewalk Sales Days, which started Saturday and continue Sunday.

Kathleen Mooney, executive director of the Mount Kisco Chamber of Commerce, highlighted improvements in this year’s event.

“We’re trying to make it a bigger and more vibrant event,” she said. “There are two stages, more activities to invite more community participation.”

Debbie Schemmel summed up the general sentiment of attendees.

“We come every year. We like strolling around. The kids enjoy the games and the slides. We run into neighbors and friends.” Her daughter and friend were enjoying samples of frozen yogurt from Frannie’s Goodie Shop. 

Betsy Meyer of the Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry was manning a table laden with a donation jar labeled “every $1 donated provides $4 of food.”

“People have been amazingly generous,” she observed. 

“See anything you recognize?” called Pat Rosafort, vice president of the Mount Kisco Historical Society. Many stopped to admire photos of the town in its infancy. 

“I love the commuter cars” Robin Russell said, pointing to a photo of vintage cars in the train parking lot in 1954.  

In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene, many expressed interest in the generators touted by the Renaissance Builders Group. At the hospital’s station, a steady stream of visitors stopped by to have their blood pressure taken.

Vincent Gino, president of Nino Bossi, was on hand displaying his company’s leather handbags at below wholesale prices. He proffered a preview of spring fashions in purses: “Hot colors are apple green, denim blue, and mango. Backpacks are back.”

On one stage, Catherine Saraceno belted out a rockin’ rendition of There’s Only Now, from the musical “Rent,” accompanied by the Infinity Repertory Theatre Company. On the other stage, the energy and sound emanating from the Frank Enea band rivaled that of the Rolling Stones.

(Full disclosure: Patch was among participating groups with a table and is also a member of the Mount Kisco Chamber of Commerce.)