Wanna Have Fun? Come Out for the Armonk Lions’ Annual Fol de Rol
The Armonk Lions Club’s annual Fol de Rol didn’t need a milestone celebration to get everybody looking forward to later this week at Wampus Brook Park
For four decades, residents throughout Armonk have circled the same June weekend on their calendar. While it may not be in the consciousness of some of the town’s newbies, it doesn’t take long for relatively recent arrivals to learn about the fun, games, food, rides, crafts and vendors available to keep children and adults of all ages happy and occupied.
“Everybody in Armonk looks forward to the Fol de Rol ,” said Armonk Lions Club President Doug Martino. “It’s been going on for 40 years. It’s a great event.”
Aside from the fun and games and interaction with neighbors, what makes the Fol de Rol great is that it’s the Lions’ largest fundraiser of the year. The service organization donates all of the proceeds to a variety of organizations and causes in town, Martino said. Over the years, the club has funded the construction of the gazebo at Wampus Brook Park, donated to the Armonk Fire Department and paid for the trailer used by the North Castle Citizen Corps Council, he said.
Recently, the country fair-type event has raised on average between $25,000 and $30,000 each year, Martino estimated. Of course, the better the weather, the greater chance the Fol de Rol will be more successful. After a 50 percent chance of thundershowers for Thursday’s opener, Friday, Saturday and Sunday look dry and comfortably warm, according to weather.com.
This year there are a few new events to spice up the Fol de Rol. On Saturday at 10:30 a.m., there will be the first pet parade, which will line up in the parking lot near the North Castle Public Library.
Maintaining the animal theme, there will be an appearance from the Jersey Disc Dogs, a performing dogs team, on Saturday and Sunday, said Linda Trummer-Napolitano, who spoke about the Fol de Rol on behalf of Martino at last week’s North Castle Town Board meeting. There will also be a visit from the famed llamas, an authentic colonial village exhibition and some special rides and attractions.
“We just encourage everyone to come and enjoy a good time,” Trummer-Napolitano said.
The Fol de Rol will be open Thursday and Friday from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wampus Brook Park is located on Maple Avenue near the Hergenhan Recreation Center.
To register for the pet parade and for more information, visit www.armonklions.org.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/
