Kids & Family

Third Friday Needs You

Third Friday suffers from budget cuts and needs sponsors, artists, vendors, and guests.

Hard to imagine now as she directs people to the perfect gift at , but nine years ago, Angel Rafter said she knew no one in the village. She depended on Third Friday monthly when her son was one and still dangling in the Bjorn carrier and they would come do all the crafts and begin getting to know the community to which she herself has become so essential.

“It's such a staple of life here, and adds such flavor to Tarrytown,” Rafter said. And like many things you love in a small town, you have to get involved to ensure they continue.

Another mom, Jenifer Ross – who everyone knows from some grand achievement she has done, from owning Red Wing art gallery back then to creating the W@tercooler coworking space now – happens to have been the mastermind of those early Third Fridays.

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Through the years, various people and even a consulting firm have run the event. For the last several years, it exists thanks to the efforts of Fiona Galloway and Rafter.

But Third Friday needs help – and it sounds like a bad cliché at this point – "due to budget cuts." The Village moved Third Friday under the umbrella of the recreation department and cut their budget by two-thirds in the process. They decreased the already-nominal fee the two women get for no less work on their part. Subsequently, the offerings get slimmer each month and the amount of months decreases.

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What used to happen 10 months out of the year – every month but January and February – is now down to seven. No November or December (huge shopping months), no March (when shopping resumes)... “Unless we get a big sponsor,” said Rafter.

Last year, since Halloween was such a snowstormed bust, the Chamber of Commerce's JoAnne Murray approached the parade sponsors and convinced them to reroute their money to Third Friday. So they were able to put on great November and December events, which to duplicate Rafter figured would probably take $10,000.

"JoAnne is our guardian angel," said Rafter.

Third Friday needs many things: guardian angels, vendors, funding, members, you.

Third Friday used to have movie nights and more diverse offerings but now it's down to basically a band, a face-painter and the vendors which they could use more of. 

Setting up a table on either Main or a side street goes for next-to-nothing, or nothing: individuals can participate for $25 each month, or unlimited months for $100 membership annually. Corporations can pay just $35 or $125 for a basic membership, $175 to get their name on the banner. Big sponsors pay $500 and up. Not-for-profits pay nothing.

“We always need more artists, crafts,” said Rafter, “people love those things.” She figured there must be so many moms in town running businesses out of their homes, why not peddle their products here like Karen Ringen of does with her Local Girls Made Good group.

The hope is that Third Friday could wean off all government support and survive someday on its own through sponsorships and memberships, but it has a ways to go. 

The next Third Friday is August 17 from 5 to 9 p.m. and will pay tribute to the Olympic Games. May Third Friday win.

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For more information on Third Friday or to join in at any level or be a vendor, stop by Nu Toy Store, call there at (914) 372-7144, or check out the website, tarrytownthirdfriday.com 


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