Annual McGrail Run, Market & Block Party Aug. 2 in Stamford

By Liz Page

STAMFORD – Mark Saturday, Aug. 2 on your calendar for the village of Stamford where the day kicks off with the 15th annual Mom McGrail Memorial 5K Run/Walk, followed by an outdoor market and finishing with a block party, all centered around Veteran's Park and having some fun.

The 5K was established by the Catherine "Kathleen" McGrail family as an event to bring people in the community together for a good time in her memory. Proceeds of the race go to the Mom McGrail Scholarship Fund to provide $1,000 academic scholarships to students selected from 11 local school districts each year. Donations may be mailed to the Mom McGrail Foundation, P.O. Box 26, Stamford, NY 12167. Please make checks payable to the Mom McGrail Foundation. You may also donate online or sponsor by visiting www.mommcgrail.org.

The date coincides with the time of Mom McGrail's birthday. There are 12 McGrail children, but Kathleen McGrail was a mom to many more than her own children. The race honors her legacy and her children and grandchildren will be on hand along with the many participants. She simply liked to see people enjoying a good time and this event would surely meet with her approval.

Veterans Memorial Park is located at the corner of Main St. and Railroad Ave.. The race begins at 9:30 a.m. and registration opens at 8 a.m. at the park. The registration fee is $30 for adults; $20 for students and under 10 free.

This is a fun event. It will be timed for the serious racers, but everyone from those pushing strollers and including the family dog participate and do the distance in their own time. Fun is the key word.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. the park will be filled with vendors for an outdoor market, which is new this year, and there will be live music by the Fisher Cats, food and drinks all day. Also, DJ Pat DelRosario will be on hand throughout the day to let the crowds know what is going on. He will get the race going in the morning and keep things moving throughout the day.

The day ends with the block party, which is a tradition along with the run. Railroad Ave. will be closed down to traffic next to the park where there will be food trucks, including Ty's Taco Wagon, live music by local favorites Becca and the Tall Boys, Sunken City Cider, the Peppercorn Tavern on the Hill drink truck, MacAdoodles ice cream, popcorn and more.

The entire day is a collaboration of the community.