49th Spirit of Beacon Day Celebrates Community

By Journalist Dr. Ms. Jones

BEACON – Main Street came alive with music, marching, food, vendors, and generations of residents on Sunday, October 4th, as the 49th Annual Spirit of Beacon Day brought the community together for a tradition born nearly five decades ago. Originally scheduled for September 27th, the celebration was postponed because of the Nor’easter, but the change in date did not stop residents from filling Main Street for the parade, live entertainment, and a day centered around this year’s theme, “Unity in the Community.” Spirit of Beacon Chairperson Ali T. Muhammad said the celebration began 49 years ago during a difficult period in Beacon’s history when racial tensions led community leaders to search for a way to bring residents together.

“The Spirit of Beacon Day is a day where we want Beacon residents to come together on Main Street,” said Muhammad. “It started 49 years ago after race riots were occurring in Beacon, and community members decided to come together. The Human Relations Committee at that time said we need to do something, and so they felt that a festival, a day festival where people came on Main Street to celebrate each other, to share their stories and love, their likes and dislikes, was important. And so, 49 years later, we’re trying to keep that tradition.”

The day began with an 11 a.m. ceremony honoring residents and organizations for their service to the community. Leman Anderson, a lifelong Beacon resident, was named Grand Marshal, while New Covenant Learning Center, the 2025 Float Winner, received its trophy. Volunteer of the Year honors went to Wee Play Community Project, Coach Mike Lentini, Scout Leader Carmen Johnson, youth worker Suzie Hockler, and community organizer Kimberley Faison. Posthumous Spirit of Beacon honors recognized Shirley Brown, Sheryl Bennett, Addison Goodson, Alan Piciacchio, Nick Huggins, and John Stella.

Michael “Bosco” Faison of Bosco & The Storm said he has been a part of Spirit of Beacon Day since its inception. He has watched Beacon change through the years and believes preserving the history of the community is important. This year was particularly meaningful because his sister, Kimberley Faison, was among those honored for her years of service to Beacon’s youth and school system.

“She worked for the school system for about 20-something, 30 years, so all the kids that grew up here, she had in school,” said Faison. “She did a lot of different things, different programs, and stuff over the years. The Martin Luther King Center, she did programs at. She did a lot of stuff here in town, and he recognized her work, which was great.”

At 1 p.m., the parade, hosted by Muhammad and Genna DuQuesnay of Youth Group Leaders by Choice, stepped off from Main Street and Wolcott Avenue, with Anderson leading the procession followed by New Covenant Learning Center. Schools, youth groups, dancers, scouts, civic organizations, firefighters, emergency responders, and community organizations made their way down Main Street toward Fishkill Avenue as spectators watched and cheered from sidewalks along the route.

Following the parade, music continued throughout the afternoon. Nikki Nicole, Bosco & The Storm, BTMOG & Associates, and the School of Rock Beacon performed. Faison, who continues performing at casinos, is also working on a new album, “I’m Just a Rock ’n Roller,” named after the first song he wrote at approximately 14 years old. BTMOG & Associates brought gospel jazz to the stage representing Real Gospel in Music Productions LLC. Managing Member and Executive Producer Arnrai Banks said performing at Spirit of Beacon Day gave the company an opportunity to take its music beyond the church walls and directly into the community.

“We’re honored that Ali invited our record label to come out… and perform and share the music,” said Banks, who believes the festival represents much more than an opportunity to perform. “Spirit of Beacon Day means the spirit of the community coming together to celebrate family, to celebrate the neighborhood and each other being a part of this wonderful community here at Beacon… As you can see, there’s lots of people out here in support. It’s mixed culture. Everybody’s out here.”

Approximately 70 vendors stretched along the sidewalks, offering food, merchandise, books, jewelry, hair braiding, face painting, and other products and services. For Sheronica Outlaw, a realtor and accountant who makes jewelry in her spare time through Dreams & Designs Workshop, it was her first time vending at Spirit of Beacon Day.

“[I] love it, absolutely love it,” said Outlaw. “I love the people. I love the crowd. The parade was really, really nice. It’s just good to see people connect together.”

Outlaw taught herself jewelry making through YouTube three years ago and now creates earrings, necklaces, centerpieces, 3D creations, and solid wood pieces. Her future goal is to turn Dreams & Designs Workshop into a place where children can learn both creativity and entrepreneurship.

“It’s actually gonna turn into a workshop,” said Outlaw. “I’m gonna have children teaching children how to open up businesses and design their own jewelry.”

Nearby, a line formed for Beacon native Heather Wilson, who works at Shimmerz Salon in Hopewell and was offering colorful five-braid styles for $5.

“I just love the community. I love giving back. I’m from here, born and raised,” said Wilson. “I just love to do something that not only makes people look good but feel good.”

Wilson kept her price affordable with children, mothers, and single parents in mind and allowed customers to choose their own colors.

“I let them pick whatever they want. They’re the boss. I make the magic happen,” said Wilson. “It gives them a way to explore themselves in their hair.”

Another vendor was impossible to miss. Derrick Lorick, owner of Yangs & Thangs, was dressed as a giant hot dog while promoting his mobile hot dog cart. Although his business is based in Newburgh, Lorick said his family’s connection to Beacon extends back more than 90 years.

His aunt, Jacenta Lorick, secretary of Yangs & Thangs, shared some of that history. Her father, Malverse Lorick, was a union brick mason whose work included brickwork at B.J.’s, the longtime soul food restaurant on Main Street that recently closed following owner Barbara’s retirement.

“My dad did a lot of the brickwork here,” said Lorick. “He was a brick mason, so he did a lot of brickwork here, Fishkill, Newburgh. He was all over. He was in the union, so wherever they sent him, that’s where he worked.”

Beacon native, veteran, author, and publisher Tatanisha Powell also participated for the first time as an exhibitor. Through Veluneli Books, Powell displayed children’s books designed to promote inclusion and representation, particularly for African American children with special needs. Her work was inspired by her five-year-old twin grandsons, one of whom is autistic.
“My focus out here today were kids’ books for kids with special needs,” said Powell. “I do books for kids with special needs so that they can have a representation of themselves inside of a book, especially for African American kids.”

Although it was her first year as a vendor, Spirit of Beacon Day has been a part of Powell’s life since childhood.
“I’ve always been a part of Spirit of Beacon Day as a child, whether in the parade as an athlete, as community involvement, maybe with our church, St. Andrews,” said Powell. “I’ve always been a part of Spirit of Beacon, but not as an exhibitor.”
With the 50th anniversary approaching next year, Muhammad is already looking ahead. Spirit of Beacon is volunteer-run, with approximately 12 to 16 volunteers, and plans are underway for additional events to raise funds and expand community participation.

For the milestone anniversary, Muhammad hopes to see even more vendors, parade participants, volunteers, sponsors, and residents—and, after this year’s Nor’easter postponement, better weather.

“The people make it the best,” said Muhammad. “So hopefully there’s not a rain date. More vendors, more parade participants, more people showing up. More sponsorships.”

Journalist Ms. Jones