FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 13, 2023

Mayor Noble Announces Next Round of ARPA Community Events Grant Funding

KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble is pleased to announce the next round of ARPA Community Events Grant Program awards for a total of $22,300 across five community groups.

The fifth round of ARPA Community Events Grant program funding was awarded to:

Kingston Waterfront Business Association (2,500), for the monthly Night Market on the Kingston Waterfront;

 YWCA Ulster County ($5,000) for the YWCA Ulster County’s 100th Birthday Jamboree on June 30;

 People’s Place for the People’s Place ($4,800) for their Annual Chef Challenge on July 18;

 Parks & Trails NY ($5,000) for the Free Community Concert at the Hutton Brickyards on July 31; and

Edie’s Fairytale Theater ($5,000) for the Young Artists Music Festival at the Old Dutch Church on August 25.      

Christine Bergeron of Peace Love Vintage said, “I would like to thank Mayor Steve Noble and the ARPA Community Events Grant program for providing me with the opportunity to support the Kingston Waterfront Business Association’s Night Market! I am a new business owner and while starting a new business can be both fun and exciting, it’s tough to get through the first year ahead of the game. By being awarded the generous grant money, I am able to use the funds for marketing the event, which will help my business to grow, as well as to promote local artists and give them the opportunity to be recognized.”

Athena Fliakos, CEO at YWCA said, “Thanks to the City of Kingston, the YWCA will host the summer’s most exciting block party to celebrate its golden 100-year anniversary. The June Jamboree is an annual event made special this year by the community event grant. We are grateful and excited.”

Christine Hein, Executive Director at People’s Place said We are honored at People’s Place to help feed our neighbors and strengthen our community. By providing produce and other food staples combined with the expertise of talented local chefs, we are also able to highlight food preparation options available to everyone.  These events like the Chef’s Challenge promotes the use of healthy food items while showing that eating healthy can taste great! A special thank you to the City of Kingston for their consistent support of People’s Place and our mission to make sure no one goes hungry in our community.”

Paul Steely White, Executive Director, Parks & Trails New York said, “We’re thrilled to receive this vital support from Mayor Noble and the Community Events Grant Program! We are looking forward to a big turnout to our free Trailside Concert at the Hutton Brickyards featuring The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow. Not only will Kingstonites and anyone else who can come be treated to wonderful music and fun, but you’ll also have a chance to meet the merry pack of bicycle riders on this year’s inaugural Cycle the Hudson Valley bike tour.”

Edie Avioli, Artistic Director of ArtStrong dba Edie’s Fairytale Theatre said, “ArtStrong dba Edie’s Fairytale Theatre is thrilled to be awarded funds from the City of Kingston to re-engage and entertain folks from all walks of life in our community. Art is a valuable way to make sense of the world in which we live. The City of Kingston’s support of the arts allows us to lean in and share our stories with others strengthening our community through music, theatre, and paint. These funds will support a YAM (young artist music) festival highlighting new talent. Thank you to our Mayor and to Kingston for your vision and the opportunity you have given us all to participate and elevate the arts.”

The 2023 Community Events Grant Program is made possible with Federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The City has allocated $375,000 to support local events occurring in 2023 as part of city-wide pandemic recovery efforts.

Nonprofit groups and businesses located within City limits are eligible to apply for up to five events per year at up to $5,000 per event, for a total of up to $25,000 per organization. Events must be free and open to the public. Events must take place in 2023, and must have either previously taken place prior to 2020, or if new, not duplicate pre-existing events and focus primarily on youth and families as the target audience. Preference will be shown to applications for events that focus primarily on youth and families as well as those that draw audiences from diverse backgrounds.

Funding is available for events taking place through the end of December 2023. Grant applications will be accepted through Friday, November 1, 2023. The last eligible event date is December 31, 2023.

More information, a list of eligible expenses, and the application can be found at: www.engagekingston.com/arpa-community-events-grant-program.