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Cats and Owls and Bears Oh My!
What A Hoot!
Brought to you by the Village of Coxsackie
What a Hoot! 2020 is coming!
It's that time again! Our What a Hoot! committee has had our first few meetings, and the What a Hoot! Festival will be going forward in 2020.
Our sponsors have selected the artists that are going to bring forward their owl visions for the 2020 What a Hoot! Festival. Let the painting begin!
Our winner for 2019's raffle owl The Owl and the Chickadee was Joseph B. Ellis. He was awarded the owl at Coxsackie's Christmas by the River on Sunday, December 1, 2019, when his winning ticket was pulled. The Owl and the Chickadee now happily resides at Joe's home in Coxsackie! We would like to thank all who purchased raffle tickets throughout the year. Your support has directly helped get this year's What a Hoot! Festival off the ground. We look forward to helping many local charities in October from the auction of all of our new owls. Be looking for the owls around town for Memorial Day!
Please keep visiting this website and our Facebook page for updates for 2020, including all pertinent dates and info!
People's Choice Voting Ballot
View a 2017 sample voting ballot. 2020 Ballots will be available in May/June 2020.
Bidding Form
View the 2018 Off Premises Bidding Form Below. Our 2020 Bidding Form will be available in August 2020.
Gala Details
The 2020 Gala & Auction will be held on October 3 at the Coxsackie Yacht Club. Details will follow.
What is What A Hoot!?
What a Hoot! is a public art installation, sponsored by the Village of Coxsackie, and organized by the Hoot of the Owl Committee. Our goal is to raise money for various local charities. After the tremendous reception to our inaugural year, which also coincided with the Village of Coxsackie's 150th anniversary, the Hoot of the Owl Committee took the owl by the horns and did it again in 2018. In 2019, the committee decided that a gap year would be a good thing, so one raffle owl was created to keep interest going for the following year's festival in 2020.
Who created it?
The Hoot of the Owl Committee, chaired in 2017 by Joe Ellis, and sponsored by the Village of Coxsackie. Our 2020 chairperson is Donna Gianola.
Who are the sponsors?
See the list of 2020 sponsors. All 2020 Sponsors have been selected.
Who are the artists?
See the list of 2018 artists or contact us to express interest in becoming one for 2020! (See downloads page for Artist Packet)
Why owls?
It is believed that the word Coxsackie is a Native American word that translates to "hoot of the owl," and therefore, the owl is the symbol of the Village of Coxsackie.
Timeline
2019-10-01
Artist and Sponsor Packets Available
See the downloads tab.
2019-11-01
Sponsor Packet and Payment Deadline
All individuals and businesses interested in being an owl sponsor must return packets and payment by November 1st.
2020-01-10
Artist Sketch Deadline
The deadline for artists to submit an owl sketch with all accompanying paperwork.
2020-01-26
Selection Reception date
Sponsors will choose their owl/artists at this reception open to artists and sponsors only.
2020-02-05
Notification of Artists Selected Date TBA
Artists will be notified that they have been selected by a sponsor, and will pick up their owl to begin work. This date is approximate.
2020-04-05
Completed Owls Deadline
This is the firm deadline for artists to return their finished owls. They will then be sent for clear-coating.
2020-05-18
Owls Out for Memorial Day
We hope to get all owls on their perches in time for the Memorial Day Weekend.
2020-10-03
Gala and Auction Date TBA
The 2020 Owl Auction will be held at the Coxsackie Yacht Club. We look forward to a successful fundraising event!
Artists
Our 2020 artists will hail from right here in Coxsackie, to neighboring towns in the Capital Region. It is time for potential artists to submit their sketches! This year's deadline for sketches is December 31, 2019
Sponsors
Our sponsors will donate $500 each for the honor of sponsoring one of our beautiful owls. With that tax-deductible donation comes credit on the owl's name plaque. The money covers the cost of a primed owl, its mounting brackets, shipping, weather protection, artists supply fee, and promotion of the festival. Our owls wouldn't be possible without our very generous sponsors! After the owls have been displayed all summer around town, they will be auctioned off to the highest bidders at our Gala Auction near the end of September--dates TBA. **DEADLINE NOVEMBER 1, 2019**
Supporters
The Hoot of the Owl Committee is inviting you to be part of the celebration, too. Won’t you please become a What a Hoot! Supporter? Your donation will help Coxsackie’s festival soar by providing much needed funding for promotion, thereby ensuring success. While promoting What a Hoot!, the committee will also give you and your business recognition through social media and extensive advertising. We do hope that you will join us.
- Village of Coxsackie
119 Mansion Street
Coxsackie, New York 12051 - (518) 731-2718