Day of fun for those of all abilities on June 29th!
Poughkeepsie, NY … Dutchess County Executive William F.X. O’Neil invites residents of all ages and abilities to the third annual ThinkDIFFERENTLY Fitness & Field Day at Dutchess County’s Bowdoin Park on Thursday, June 29th at 11 am. This free event will include many interactive vendors, fitness activities and attractions that highlight health and nutrition for people of every ability. All attendees will enjoy a complimentary lunch and go home with a medal for participating in the day’s events. Pre-registration is required by June 19th for this rain-or-shine event and can be completed at dutchessny.gov/tdfieldday.
County Executive O’Neil said, “We look forward to hosting our 3rd annual ThinkDIFFERENTLY Fitness & Field Day at Bowdoin Park as it provides a variety of resources as well as entertainment to residents of all abilities. The ThinkDIFFERENTLY staff deserve praise, as this event has grown extensively in just a few years. I hope many residents can join us on June 29th as we continue to make Dutchess County an inclusive place for all.”
In addition to fitness and health activities, representatives from several County departments and community partners, will be on site to provide families with important information about programs and services available for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Dutchess County.
The diverse offering of vendors will offer interactive experiences such as exercise programs, games including disc golf and lawn bowling, various arts and crafts, live animals for attendees to interact with from local agricultural organizations, and much more. Rascal, the Hudson Valley Renegades’ mascot, will stop by, and the Anderson Center for Autism’s ice cream truck, a crowd favorite last year, will also return.
Dutchess County All Abilities Program Director Dana Hopkins said, “We are hard at work getting ready for this year’s Fitness and Field Day, and this is sure to be the best one yet. The feedback we have received from previous years confirms this event provides vital information to local individuals and their families and gives residents of all abilities the opportunity to enjoy a day of accessible outdoor fun. Thank you to all our local ThinkDIFFERENTLY partners for joining us to make this event memorable for all.”
The Fitness & Field Day is one of the many ThinkDIFFERENTLY events Dutchess County hosts. The County’s “ThinkDIFFERENTLY” initiative, launched in 2015, is a call to action to help make Dutchess County a supportive and inclusive community for individuals of all abilities. Since its inception, more than 100 villages, towns, cities and counties across New York State and across the nation have made the commitment to “ThinkDIFFERENTLY” in their communities. In 2022, ThinkDIFFERENTLY hosted several free, sensory-friendly events at the Bardavon 1869 Opera House, including a movie screening, live storytelling and a performance of the holiday classic, “The Nutcracker.” For a list of upcoming events and opportunities visit thinkdiffernently.net.
Bowdoin Park is located at 85 Sheafe Road in Poughkeepsie. ThinkDIFFERENTLY Fitness & Field Day will take place at the park's lower soccer fields, near Pavilion 1. Attendees are encouraged to enjoy the park’s many amenities, including the refreshing splash pad, following the free event.
For more information on the ThinkDIFFERENTLY Fitness & Field Day contact Mara Santiago at 845-486-3568 or xsantiago@dutchessny.gov.
