In 1993, a group of local business owners and interested citizens came together and launched Essex Initiatives. The original mission was to coordinate advertising efforts to attract tourists and shoppers to Essex, NY B&Bs and businesses. Over the years that business community went its separate way, and Essex Initiatives morphed into a group of volunteers who support community activities either by supplying manpower, financial support or both.
Today, Essex Initiatives produces a number of annual events that enliven Essex residents’ lifestyles while attracting visitors who help support local businesses.
The Beautification Committee

The Beautification Committee is responsible for planting the many barrels around Essex for Memorial Day and again for the holiday season. They are also responsible for other street decorations like holiday lights and wreaths.
This group was also responsible for the new town signs on the western and northern ends of the hamlet.
They obtained a grant from the Essex Community Fund/Adirondack Community Trust to pay for one and raised private funds for the other. Each sign cost around $1,300. (Press Republican)
A group of volunteers, this Essex Initiatives sub-committee is financially independent and holds a fundraiser each year to raise money for planting the barrels. The Town of Essex includes funds in its budget to support this group.
The Fourth of July
One Essex Initiatives supported event has become a Fourth of July tradition in Essex: the Firecracker Run.
Frank Hain had been responsible for the 5K Firecracker Run since its inception, but NEW Health has helmed the event in recent years. The entrance fee covers the cost of certificates and refreshments provided at the end of the race.

The Mettawee Players
The Mettawee River Theatre Company is a traveling theater troop that performs each summer at Begg’s Park. If grants received have not covered the cost of the performance and EI has made up the difference to ensure that this fun outdoor theatre experience visits Essex again and again.
Downtown Essex Day
Downtown Essex Day is a major annual event in Essex, and it is Essex Initiative’s primary fundraiser. Katharine Preston and John Bingham organized the event for five years between 2008 and 2012. Amy Valentine and Richard Robbins spearheaded the effort in 2013.
Christmas in the Village
The Magic of Christmas in Essex is another yearly event that is much-anticipated. Local artisans and businesses have a great chance to display their wares just in time for the winter holidays. A modest registration fee paid by vendors offsets the expense of hosting the Christmas in Essex, and Essex Initiatives covers any overages.

Breakfast with Santa is a highlight of Christmas in The Village. Sponsored by the Masons, it is also underwritten by Essex Initiatives. Any donations are set aside for use by the Masons to sponsor a community event like Cabin Fever.
The Future of Essex Initiatives
Recent interest in the Essex business community formed a promotional cooperative to promote and support local enterprises may helped resuscitate interest in Essex Initiatives. The group was named CEVE (Committee for Economic Vitality in Essex).
In 2015, Essex Initiatives merged with young CEVE and kept the Essex Initiatives name.
If you are interested in learning how to volunteer or donate, please contact essexinitiatives@gmail.com. Learn more and stay up-to-date with EI on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/essexnyinitiatives/.
Download Essex Brochure/Map
In the summer of 2014 CEVE updated the longstanding Essex brochure and map illustrated by Ken Boynton and Sid Couchey. You can download a PDF version of the 2014 Essex Brochure/Map (PDF) here.
Essex Initiatives Archive
The following posts featured or mentioned Essex Initiatives since June 2011.
- Essex Community Fund Names 2023 Grant RecipientsThe Essex Community Fund (ECF) at Adirondack Foundation has awarded nearly $25,000 in grants to 11 organizations serving the town ...
- July 20, 2020 Video Update from Town of Essex SupervisorTown of Essex Supervisor gives a community update from Whallons Bay. Topics include: public town meetings, The Sunburst Quarterly Newsletter, ...
- Grant Awards Benefit Local Communities in Essex AreaSupport for Kids Programs, Trails, Emergency Services, and More The Essex Community Fund, Charlie Goff Memorial Fund, and Allen Scholarship and ...
- Winter 2018’s The Initiative Newsletter“The Initiative” Newsletter is now available! We are thrilled to announce that the Winter 2018 edition of “The Initiative”, our quarterly ...
- The Magic of Christmas in Essex to be Celebrated December 8, 9, & 10This year’s celebration of the Magic of Christmas in Essex begins on Friday night, December 8. At 5:00 at the ...
- Christmas in Essex Seeking Vendors and HelpSusie Smith and Ken Hughes, co-organizers of Christmas in Essex have begun work to prepare for this year’s event which ...
- Annual Community Meeting to be Held September 28The Essex Initiatives Board of Directors cordially invites all who live, work or recreate in Essex to their Annual Community ...
- Whallons Bay Cleanup DayEssex Initiatives needs your help. Whallons Bay needs your help. This frequently used access to Lake Champlain has become unsitely ...
- Weeding Party at Beggs Park a HUGE Success!Thank you to everyone who came out on a Sunday morning last month to help remove all of the weeds, ...
- Resource Center to Benefit Farms, Local Food Providers in Champlain Valley (The Sun)“The region’s food producers got a huge boost this week with the formal launch of a new resource center. Located smack-dab ...
- Take Away Topics from Essex Initiatives Public ForumTwo months ago, a public forum sponsored by Essex Initiatives (EI) was held at College For Every Student in Essex, ...
- 37th Annual Downtown Essex Day: Exhibitors Sign Up Now!It’s that time of year again! Our 37th Annual “Downtown Essex Day” is scheduled for Saturday, August 6, from 10:00 AM ...
- Collaborate, Communicate and Advocate (The Sun)“Collaborate, communicate and advocate… positively. These were the general sentiments shared at the recent public forum held by Essex Initiatives, an ...
- Happy New Year to Our Essex Community!Thank you for all the hardwork and support on the huge efforts made this year to make our town beautiful ...
- Decorate Essex for the Holidays!Essex Initiatives is excited to announce that this year they will again be sponsoring a holiday decorating contest in Essex. ...
- Essex Goes BowlingWhen was the last time you went bowling? How much fun did you have? Here’s an opportunity to spend time ...
- Upcoming Essex Events 9/27-10/4Learn about the events happening in and around Essex, NY! Check out the schedule below created from the Essex Calendar of Events to ...
- New Trash Receptacles on Main StreetEssex Initiatives recently purchased 2 trash receptacles to be placed on Main St. in Essex. They are a fabulous – ...
- Fundraiser for Essex Fire & RescueEssex Initiatives is collecting donated items to sell on Essex Day – Saturday, August 1st from 10am-4pm. This will be ...
- Essex Initiatives Provides New Dog Waste ReceptaclesAnyone notice something new near Essex Town Hall and near the entrance to Begg’s Park? If you own and walk a ...
- Town-Wide Market DayEssex will host its annual Downtown Essex Day on Saturday, August 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Downtown Essex Day ...
- Perennial Plant Sale & SwapThe Essex Beautification Committee will hold its final fund-raising event on Saturday, May 23rd from 9:00 am – 2: 00 ...
- Upcoming Essex Events 5/17-5/24Learn about the events happening in and around Essex, NY! Check out the schedule below created from the Essex Calendar of Events to ...
- Essex Day 2015: Exhibitors Sign Up Now!It’s that time of year again! Our 36th Annual “Downtown Essex Day” is scheduled for Saturday, August 1, from 10:00 ...
- Beautification Committee Bake Sale # 1 – Did You Miss It?Homemade cheesecake with fresh strawberry topping… dutch chocolate cake with butter cream frosting… ginger cake with cream cheese frosting…pecan pie….oatmeal ...
- Essex Initiatives Updating 2015 Essex DirectoryLast year we resuscitated and updated the beautiful Essex Directory that included a wonderful map by the late Sid Couchey. ...
- Bake Sale for Beauty on SaturdayI’ve just spied a tasty notice on the Essex Calendar that will be taking place on Saturday morning in front ...
- Essex Bowling Night A SuccessLast Friday, about 35 Essex natives journeyed to the Willsborough Bowling Center to engage in a night of knocking down ...
- Upcoming Essex Events 4/5-4/12Learn about the events happening in and around Essex, NY! Check out the schedule below created from the Essex Calendar of Events to ...
- Bowling High ScoreWhen was the last time you went bowling? How much fun did you have? Did you know that Willsboro has ...
- CEVE Meeting RecapSending a brief recap of this past Thursday’s meeting (3/5/15) held at St. John’s Persell Hall (Thank you!) Attendees: Donna Lou ...
- Essex Night Out: Bowling Party!Enjoy an Essex Night Out and meet your neighbors at the Willsborough Bowling Center for a bowling party on Friday, ...
- Double Your Christmas Fun in Essex This SeasonOur little town is looking a lot like Christmas — more and more everyday. The wreaths are up along Main ...
- Essex Day Is Looking for ExhibitorsThis year marks the Town of Essex’s 35th anniversary celebration of its annual market day! The event, “Downtown Essex Day,” ...
- Downtown Essex Day Exhibitors Sign Up Now!It’s that time of year again! Our 35th Annual “Downtown Essex Day“ is scheduled for Saturday, August 2, from 10:00 ...
- CEVE Asks Questions about Essex Events: Who, What, When, Where and How?Have you heard of the Committee for Economic Vitality in Essex or its acronym CEVE? If you haven’t yet, then check ...
- Essex Initiatives’ Holiday ProjectsEssex Initiatives formed in 1993, and the organization has since become a group of volunteers who support community activities by supplying ...
- Downtown Essex Day UpdateFor many Essex, NY residents and visitors Downtown Essex Day is their favorite summer celebration, reuniting generations of Essex fans. ...
- Downtown Essex Day 2013The historic hamlet of Essex, NY, on the shore of Lake Champlain, plans to host its 34th Downtown Essex Day on Saturday, ...
- Mettawee River Theatre Company to Perform in Beggs Park Now in its 38th season, the Mettawee River Theatre Company will present their new production Taliesin at Beggs Point Park in ...
- Cultural Assistance Program (CAP) Grants AnnouncedThe new board of directors of the Essex County Arts Council announces the recipients of the 2013 Cultural Assistance Program ...
- Downtown Essex Day: Participant Deadline July 8It’s that time again! Our 34th Annual “Downtown Essex Day” is scheduled for Saturday, August 3, from 10:00 AM to ...
- Mettawee River Theatre Company to Perform in EssexThe Mettawee River Theatre Company will present COMMUNICATIONS FROM A COCKROACH: Archy and the Underside at Beggs Point Park in ...
- Reminders for Essex Fourth of JulyThe Fourth of July is approaching, so I thought I’d send out a reminder of the activities taking place in ...
- Songs of the Ainu at Beggs Point ParkPlease join us for The Mettawee River Theatre Company‘s performance of The Old Boat Goddess: Songs of the Ainu at ...