Imagine an Ellenville without a Fourth of July Parade. Floats would no longer wind through Canal and Center Streets tossing candy into the crowd. Marchers would no longer line up at the High School awaiting the start of the parade. The marching bands would no longer play. Sadly, there would no longer be the smiling faces of friends and neighbors sitting in their lawn chairs on a warm summer day, along the sidewalks or milling among the booths at the arts and crafts fair. Now imagine the night sky on the Fourth of July without the fireworks display.

Chris Benson, an Ellenville native, has accepted the position of chairman for the Fourth of July Committee so festivities in the Village of Ellenville and Town of Wawarsing will continue this year as planned. Jane Eck, who has headed the event for many years, stepped down last year after several years. When Eck left the committee so did many of the older members, leaving Benson and a few others left to organize one of the largest and most popular parades in the Village of Ellenville. The committee has pulled together and has found new members who have come aboard and are offering fresh and exciting ideas.

"When I found out that the parade might not happen I knew I had to do something," said Benson at Saturday night's Fourth of July Committee's Annual Spaghetti Supper Benefit. The benefit, which was held at the Elks Lodge in Napanoch, opened its doors at 4:30 pm and ended around 7:00 pm. Benson's wife, Evonne, was busy selling and ripping tickets in half for the raffle that was to be held later in the evening.

Many familiar faces lent a hand in the kitchen cooking up big pots of spaghetti, tossing salads, slicing cake and serving food to those seated. Longtime committee member Joe Verdino once again prepared his homemade spaghetti sauce for the event. The benefit was well attended by members of the community and long picnic tables were arranged throughout the room giving way to "family style seating", with most tables being filled. The committee had been busy for days preparing for this event.

Benson said, "I've been here today since 8:30 am getting ready for this and setting up. I was here last night as well." Most of the food items, including prizes for the raffle, were donated by local businesses. "The businesses have donated so much to this evening. I truly wish to thank them," he said.

Fran Allen, one of the newer members of the committee, ran plates of spaghetti from the kitchen to the tables yet she still found time to stop and talk with friends. "When the old committee retired we decided that we really need the parade and we needed to come together as a community to make this happen," said Allen. "It is amazing how this all came together. We've received a lot of donations from local businesses. We're very thankful," she added, echoing Benson's sentiments.

The Fourth of July parade and fireworks display costs nearly $18,000 annually to put on and is supported by donations, fundraising and through the contributions made by the Village of Ellenville and the Town of Wawarsing.

The committee is looking to raise that amount in just a few months. Other benefits have been planned such as a "Patriotic Concert" featuring the Pine Bush Community Band. The event will be held Monday, June 11 at the Ellenville High School. Proceeds from the fundraiser with go towards the parade. A large raffle is also being planned. To volunteer time or services towards the parade you can contact Chris Benson at: 647-7957 or email him at: bensonhousehold1@verizon.net.

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