By Kat Leslie
WARWICK, N.Y. — Excelsior Hose Company #1 of the Warwick Fire Department will host its 66th Annual Fall Festival on Tuesday, Nov. 19, and Wednesday, Nov. 20, at Warwick Fire District Station #1, 25 Church Street Extension. Doors open at 6 p.m. and spins begin at 7 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring their quarters for the traditional Turkey Spin Fundraiser, featuring 25¢ and $1 paddles, free admission, refreshments, door prizes, and raffles held each evening.
Festival organizers extended appreciation to local area farms and businesses for donations, which helped stock this year’s event. One of them, Masker Orchards remains a longtime supporter and late-season staple for apples and cider — with the orchard open through mid-to-end November most years, depending on weather conditions.
“Thank you to Masker’s Orchards and its owners for allowing the Excelsior Hose Company #1 to come pick apples for our 66th Annual Fall Festival,” noted Festival Chairman and Past Fire Chief Michael Contaxis, who added, “We hope everyone can join us on November 19 and 20 at Station #1 for this fun community tradition, where each spin wins a turkey and door prizes are offered throughout the night.”
Community members interested in donating prizes or helping offset the cost of the turkeys can contact Contaxis at 845-544-9151.
A Celebration of Community Spirit
What makes the Excelsior Fall Festival more than just another fundraiser is the sense of community pride and fellowship that fills the firehouse each November. Warwick’s residents have long embraced the event as an unofficial kickoff to the holiday season — a place where generations gather to laugh, compete, and give back.
Neighbors cheer as paddles spin, families catch up over coffee and cider, and the same spirit of volunteerism that keeps Warwick’s fire service strong fuels every raffle ticket and turkey won. It’s a reminder that, in a world of rising costs and digital distance, small-town traditions like this keep the heartbeat of the community steady and strong.
A tradition that outlasts trends
Excelsior’s fall festival is a signature small-town event: a little friendly chaos, a lot of laughter, and the chance to walk out with a Thanksgiving turkey while supporting local volunteers.
The company itself is one of Warwick’s oldest civic institutions — founded in the 19th century and later joined by fellow companies that form today’s Warwick Fire Department — making the festival as much about heritage as holiday prep.
Most importantly, every quarter tossed on Church Street Extension helps keep Warwick’s volunteer fire service strong — training, equipment, and the neighbor-to-neighbor support that defines this town. The two-night event supports training, equipment, and local fire service programs — ensuring Warwick’s volunteers remain prepared to serve year-round.
If You Go
- What: Excelsior Hose Co. #1 — 66th Annual Fall Festival
- When: Tuesday, Nov. 19 & Wednesday, Nov. 20
- Where: Warwick Fire District Station #1, 25 Church Street Extension
- Doors open: 6 p.m. — Spins begin: 7 p.m.
- Cost: Free admission; paddles $0.25 and $1; refreshments available
- Info & Donations: Festival Chairman Michael Contaxis — 845-544-9151
A Season of Gratitude in Warwick
As Thanksgiving approaches, events like the Excelsior Fall Festival remind us why Warwick stands out as more than a town — it’s a community built on gratitude, generosity, and shared effort. Whether it’s farmers like Masker Orchards donating apples, small businesses supporting local fundraisers, or residents showing up with pockets full of quarters, the spirit of giving runs deep here. Together, these small acts of goodwill form the fabric of Warwick — a place where community isn’t just a word, it’s a way of life.
