“The water was colder than I thought it would be,” said Village of New Paltz Mayor Tim Rogers as he emerged dripping wet from the Dunk Tank at the Taste of New Paltz food festival last Sunday. One of nine elected officials, business-owners and other local “celebrities” who volunteered for the Dunk Tank, the mayor said that he got the plunge “at least 20 times” during his half-hour shift. “My daughter sunk me, so I’m disappointed in her.” Another who succeeded in hitting the target was five-year-old Asher Libolt, who didn’t seem to have any political axe to grind; “I dunked Mayor Rogers because I thought it would be fun,” he said, proudly wearing his “I Made a Splash” sticker.

While there was plenty to hear, see, do and eat at all three main locations — not to mention a book sale at the Gardiner Library and sidewalk pop-up shops in front of various Main Street businesses — the big news of this year’s event was the return of Majestic Park as a major scene of the action.

Community athletic competitions are fun in and of themselves, but especially meaningful when their purpose is to raise funds and awareness for a good cause. A new such venture, which its organizers hope to become an annual event, will make its debut in New Paltz on Saturday, September 14: the Great Wallkill River Race and Festival.