OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Hanover Town Board member Aimee Rogers made the announcement of the Grape Festival dates for this fall at a recent meeting.

HANOVER — Rides will return to the Festival of Grapes this fall.

The annual Festival of Grapes has been set for Sept. 13 to 15. Hanover Town Board member Aimee Rogers made the announcement at a recent meeting, as she credited Supervisor Lou Pelletter for “working his magic” to secure amusement park rides for the festival.

Rogers noted there will be many traditions that live on at this year’s festival, including a dice run and grape stomping. Music acts are expected to be included in the festivities, as well.

But before the fall comes, the Town will be fully prepared to welcome guests to its shores. The beach will be open on weekends beginning May 24 until June 21, along with a special opening on June 19 to celebrate Juneteenth. Beginning on June 22, the beach will be open seven days a week throughout the summer.

The Town also recently installed a kayak launch at the boat launch. Maintenance is underway on the restrooms and showers, as well.

Also of note, after the idea was raised by a resident at a previous meeting, the Town has been in contact with the New York State Sheriff’s Association regarding the Yellow Dot program. The Town will receive 600 Yellow Dot kits to distribute to residents in the Town. The Yellow Dot program is designed to help first responders provide life-saving medical attention quickly after an automobile accident or an emergency.

“Especially for any elderly or disabled people, it is really a helpful program for our first responders,” Town Clerk Elizabeth VanCheri said.

A yellow dot sticker displayed on the driver’s side rear window of a vehicle alerts first responders to look in the glove compartment of the vehicle for identification and medical information, which a person fills out on a card provided in the kit. The Town will distribute the kits at a later date to be determined.

The Town is still awaiting approval from the State Department of Transportation to proceed with its water line project on Routes 5 and 20.

The Town also approved the appointment of Mark Lilley to the Planning Board. The Code of Ethics was also updated for the first time since 1970.

A payment of $2,500 to the Evergreen Lawn Cemetery in the Town was also approved to cover the general overhead expenses to maintain the cemetery, as well as insurance premiums.