Wartburg Fall Festival Celebrates Institution’s 150th Anniversary
Live Music, Farmer’s Market, Children’s Area and Food Trucks Contribute to a Fun-Filled Day
Mount Vernon, N.Y. (October 24, 2016) – Wartburg, a senior care provider, hosted its annual Fall Festival on September 24th on their 34-acre campus. This year’s event drew close to 1,000 people and commemorated their 150th anniversary. Founded in 1866, Wartburg’s legacy dates back to the days of caring for children orphaned after the Civil War and caring for seniors since 1897.
The Fall Festival honored Wartburg’s century-and-a-half of caring for the community by honoring the past through walking tours led by two of The Wartburg Orphans’ Farm School alumni, celebrated the present by featuring Wartburg’s continuum of care and looked to the future. Wartburg’s history is highlighted throughout the campus and features a self-guided walking tour that includes signage detailing its many milestones over the past 150 years. Always looking to expand its offerings and improve on its services, Wartburg recently opened a new Outpatient Rehabilitation Center offering innovative rehabilitative therapies to maximize recovery as well as wellness classes such as Tai Chi and Yoga for the community.
The event featured live entertainment throughout the day, a children’s area with a bouncy castle, obstacles course and games (sponsored by The Future Society, Inc., a mentoring organization for underprivileged children founded by a former Wartburg Orphans’ Farm School alumni), shopping, massages, an assortment of food trucks, an art exhibition hosted by Got Art?, Inc. and a Farmer’s Market (sponsored by Morrison Community Living). There was also a Wartburg Orphans’ Farm School reunion, welcoming 30 Wartburg alumni back home. Radio station 107.1 The Peak, broadcasted from the festival.
“Any fool can shut down a music and arts festival but only a talented team can put one together,” said David Gentner, president and CEO of Wartburg. “My thanks to the many staff, volunteers, and sponsors for making this year’s festival the best one yet.”
Beginning with a service in Wartburg’s historic chapel and culminating with a cake cutting and proclamation presentation by Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, it was a fun-filled day enjoyed by all.
“We couldn’t be happier to invite the community to come to our historic campus and enjoy this free event on such a beautiful, sunny day,” said Angela Ciminello, Vice President of Development and Marketing. “This day wouldn’t be possible without the help of our dedicated volunteers, staff and board as well as our generous sponsors who help us continue our vital mission of nurturing the body, mind and spirit of those entrusted to our care.”
About Wartburg
Wartburg, located in Westchester County, N.Y., offers integrated, comprehensive senior residential and healthcare services for all stages of life. Unlike conventional providers, Wartburg delivers a wide range of services to residents living on campus and people in their own homes. From independent, assisted living and award-winning nursing home care to inpatient/outpatient rehabilitation, home care and adult day care services, Wartburg’s continuing care approach has earned them a trusted reputation. Wartburg also provides caregiver support at every stage, with an array of options to find the right level of care for the individual while also considering the needs of the whole family. Wartburg’s award-winning, internationally recognized Council for Creative Aging & Lifelong Learning program lets residents and community members express themselves through art, song, theater, poetry and oral histories. The Creative Aging & Lifelong Learning initiative promotes increased emotional health and social engagement for seniors through a wide range of arts-based programs led by professional teaching artists trained to develop the creative capacity of older adult learners.
Wartburg celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2016 with events and activities. Founded in 1866, Wartburg began as an orphan farm school after the Civil War. It now serves area seniors through residential and at-home healthcare services. Established on the principal and belief that caring for the body, mind and spirit is an essential component of a rich and happy life, Wartburg has expanded its community impact and honored the lives of seniors during a century-and-a-half of service.
More Information About the Festival, Wartburg’s History and Programming
Festival Link: https://wartburg.org/event/wartburg-fall-festival/
Wartburg Website Homepage: www.wartburg.org
Wartburg Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/thewartburg
Wartburg Twitter Page: www.twitter.com/thewartburg
YouTube Page: www.youtube.com/wartburgny
Creative Aging Stories and Historical Archives: http://www.creativeagingstories.com
Wartburg hosts a reunion each year during the Fall Festival for alumni of The Wartburg Orphans’ Farm School. This year there were 30 in attendance. Peter Troll and George Newsome gave a guided campus tour including what used to be in the places some of the buildings are now.
German Dancers at the Wartburg Fall Festival.
Children’s Play Area – Sponsored by The Future Society, Inc.
Cutting the Anniversary Cake Left to right: Larry Fair, Founder/CEO, The Future Society, Inc; David Gentner, President and CEO of Wartburg; J. Gary Pretlow, 89th Assembly District, NY State Assembly.