Event to Remember Sept. 11 at Fairgrounds

By Matthew Avitabile

COBLESKILL — The Cobleskill Fairgrounds will host a memorial for Sept. 11 today from 4-10 p.m., organized by Richmondville’s Harry Rode Jr., aka Rat Rod Harry.

The event will feature firetrucks, EMS, and military vehicles, alongside classic cars, rat rods, and motorcycles. Anyone interested in bringing a vehicle is welcome — no pre-registration required.

Live music will include Mixtape Revival from 6-10 p.m., with DJ Craig Palmer donating his time. Rode credited Palmer, saying, “He steps up. Won’t take any money — he’s a stand-up guy.” Local vocalist Matthew Vroman will also perform, volunteering his time to honor the day and support the fundraiser.

A scale model of New York City, built by Joe Macken over 21 years, will also be on display.

The day will include family-friendly contests such as a search-and-find competition. Twenty-four trophies for show classes are being donated by Dylan Spinner of Middleburgh’s Mirrors and Shine and by Lancaster Development.

The event is free admission and 100% donation-based. Every penny raised will go to the Schoharie County Veterans Services Agency, led by Veterans' Service Officer Eilene Fisher.

Activities include bounce houses, a face painter, and a mechanical bull, with food and drinks provided by Locomotions and multiple food trucks. Locomotions is also donating the bounce houses and family activities.

Rode praised Steve Meyers of Locomotions as a key partner, saying the two “hit it off” and already plan to collaborate on bigger future events.

Other supporters include Ben Righi of Righi’s Redemption Center, who helped fund the face painter and donated port-a-potties; Megan Ostrander of Ostrander Insurance, who covered the fairgrounds fee and insurance; Nicole Davis of Snip It or Rip It Hair Studio and Darren Sperbeck of Route 7 Auto, who covered the band cost; Jeannie from The Thrifty Bride’s, who sponsored event expenses and prizes; and Angela Clapper of Pig Out, who coordinated the vendors.

In all, about 40 vendors and several nonprofits will be represented.

Rode, who has organized car shows throughout the county to benefit veterans and local causes, said: “Without the people showing up and people working together, things don’t happen. It’s all amazing people behind it.”

He invited everyone to take part in today’s event at the Cobleskill Fairgrounds.