As we edge slowly back towards some kind of normality, the Town of Wawarsing and Village of Ellenville are preparing to celebrate the Wassail, the annual effort to have some fun in early December to kick off the holiday season.

This year the Wassail will be held on Saturday, December 4, with the annual Joshua R Peters Memorial Electric Fire Truck Parade setting off around Ellenville at 5 p.m.

As organizer Sam Bugna, Wawarsing’s director of Recreation and Community Outreach, continues the search for sponsors and participants in the parade, the route has been worked out and mapped.

“It’s different this year,” said Bugna. “First, we’re staying in the village to accommodate the walkers. It’s close to the old July 4 route.”

This may mean the days of the drive-by parades are coming to an end.

The parade began in 2015, to honor the memory of Josh Peters, the son of Dick and Pat Peters, who ran Peters Market for decades.

Josh was a unique individual who, despite his disability, possessed a nigh on superhuman level of charm, and with it, affability. The Peters said, "If there was an ‘all in one’ person, it was Josh. Josh's innocence, purity, gentleness, love of people, zest for life and his ability to make every person feel special, touched the hearts of so many people. Peters Market was the center of his life where all the employees at his market were his extended family. Customers entered Peters with an exuberant welcome from Josh, whether it be a bear hug, a verbal exclamation, or an exchange about a special event in their life or his. At his home in Cragsmoor, there was always an exhilarated hand wave as one drove by or the ‘Joshua Welcome’ if walking by. "

The Shawangunk Journal can confirm this and add that some of the most extraordinarily cheerful conversations ever were held with Josh Peters in the aisles of the little market.

There is a memorial to him at the Cragsmoor Fire House. He was a volunteer there, and a plaque in the Stone Church in Cragsmoor. The memorial reads, "Dedicated to all those who have served and protected this community, erected in memory of Joshua Peters,” while the plaque in the church reads: “Joshua Peters, he had the gift of greeting.”

He certainly did.

After the parade, everyone should gather in Liberty Square for the tree lighting. Bugna said, “People should mask up at that point, because with a crowd people will be getting close.”

A reminder that we’re not out of the woods yet with the COVID-19 virus, not at all. Very important! Bugna is looking for someone to hand out the hot cider, which on a cold December evening can make all the difference. Anyone seeking to participate call 845-647-7800, ext. 129.