Vassallo Fest a Huge Success at CHHS

The rain didn’t put a damper on Croton’s Vassallo Fest. The event was supposed to be held at Vassallo Park, but heavy rain caused the good times to be moved indoors.

Kids flocked to the inside of the high school, where inflatable obstacles, a mechanical bull, a gladiator fun ball arena and disc jockey filled the gym and hallways. Fun was in the air as free popcorn was passed out, and students lined up to have fun playing on the inflatable amusement attractions and game tables.  High School Principal Alan Capasso could be seen “battling it out” at a ping-pong table with a student (click on the pic to see). He took a break from his game to tell Patch what a great after-school alternative Vassallo Fest is.

“The kids have an opportunity to socialize and not feel any pressure regarding alcohol or anything else. So it’s meant to be a safe zone—and for kids to have fun," said Capasso.

Principal Capasso wasn’t the only one having a good time. Everyone couldn’t help but stare and cheer as people took their turn on the mechanical bull (click on the video we shot, just to the right of this story, to see a student testing his riding skills). There were also fun-filled gladiator ball matches going on in the school’s gym (that’s also a video worth clicking on). 

The after school party was thrown by the Croton Community Coalition. The Coalition was formed to prevent underage drinking and drug abuse in the community. 

“The Croton Coalition was able to put the event together with the help of a grant we received from the federal government… to provide anti-drug substance abuse awareness community-wide,” said Croton Coalition member Kathy Brechner.

This year’s fest was the second year that organizers have held the festival. And with the great turnout this year, I’m sure there will be a third Vassallo Fest to enjoy in 2012.

Vassallo Fest took place May 20.