The Nyack High School Red Storm Marching Band playing in the 2025 Nyack Halloween Parade. Photo by Andrea Swenson.
One part of Nyack that I greatly appreciate is the plethora of programs and activities for me and my peers. We have two major local libraries: the Nyack Library and Valley Cottage Library. Both offer many programs practically year-round for people of different ages. Some people may assume that younger people are prioritized program-wise, but our two libraries offer programs for teens, too, including volunteering, summer reading, and more. I find that volunteering at the library is such an ideal, easy way to earn community service hours and get experience working with younger kids (I’m an only child).
Then nearby we have the Nyack Center, which offers multiple events for families and programs and classes for kids and teens. Teen council, Camp Nyack, and so much more are all offered at the Nyack Center! Even a convenient Monster Mash, 15 years in the making, right after the Halloween parade, is happening on October 24 this year. Also, there’s the Creative Arts Workshop, where there are programs for kids ages 4–11 and even a few adult programs. Additionally, they offer birthday parties. I’m really happy I had one there in the past.
With such a welcoming community for all ages, so many opportunities, and fun programs to try and to participate in, I’m always grateful for Nyack. And that’s not all! Around town on storefronts and free wall space you can find posters about more of the town’s events, recurring and nonrecurring, like the Holiday Tree Lighting, Women’s Self Defense lessons, dance classes, and the Holiday Market, among others.
Then, of course, there are the Nyack Public School programs. Trunk or Treats, another possible volunteer opportunity for older kids; high school coffee houses where you can watch amazing performances by fellow Nyack High School students; the annual Multicultural Festival at the high school, and so much more. As a Nyack student, I’m so grateful to have so many things to participate in and have community in, and to have such great experiences I can look back on and continue to enjoy.
Parades, Food, and Music!
Also, there’s our four bustling, fun parades: the Memorial Day Parade, African American Day Parade, Pride Parade, and the Halloween parade all bring life to Nyack. With the selection of vendors, marching bands including our high school’s Nyack Red Storm Marching Band), floats, and crowds rushing to watch, the parades are always a pleasure to attend. Similar to our parades are our street fairs and Nyack Farmers Market. Fresh and tasty food, local sellers, small businesses, all can be found on the streets of Nyack sometime throughout the year.
Nyack also has a thriving music community. There are music classes at The Rock Shop. Maureen’s Jazz Cellar has had plenty of music events to attend. Music on the Hudson has live music events in Memorial Park. And at Main Street Beat you can stock up on your CDs and records or sell some of your used ones.
Nyack in 20 Years . . .
While I’ve mostly written above about the characteristics of Nyack that I’m grateful for and that have helped to build my childhood, I’m imagining what Nyack might be like 20 years from now. I would assume, and hope, that some of the yearly events I listed above will remain somewhat the same. I think that the library programs will generally continue, though I have a feeling some of the program topics will change with the times to whatever is popular in 20 years.
Some Things May Still Be Here; Some Things May Change
I polled some of my Nyack peers, asking a selection of questions about their predictions for Nyack in 20 years, and found that more of them would live in the current Nyack if they were adults now, rather than live in Nyack 20 years from now. A lot of them agree that events like the street fairs and parades will still be running 20 years into the future. Maybe, as in other places, robots will be delivering our food instead of DoorDash drivers and delivery workers. Maybe the town will begin attracting more and more tourists, or the town will prioritize restaurants over shops, or vice versa. Maybe we’ll even see Nyack stay the same, minus a few new storefronts.
Unique Nyack, New York
In my opinion, Nyack is a very unique place. A nice suburb, not too close to the city and not too far, with schools that have your back and teachers and staff to help you. Our town events, parades, music events, and traditions that have been going on for years are what make Nyack, Nyack. As a teen, I think it’s also a very good place to grow up, and for families. The people here play such a big role in maintaining Nyack for students and adults. No one really knows what Nyack will be like in 20 years, but it will be interesting to find out!
Sasha Weintraub is a rising sophomore at Nyack High School who likes writing, art, and music.
