Campton Hills walk to honor fallen activist

A fundraiser and tree dedication Sunday in Campton Hills will honor the late Carmine Julian, whose local activism was cut short by his untimely death last year.

The Carmine Julian Memorial Walk steps off at 11 a.m. from the Fox Mill subdivision gazebo near Carl Sandburg and School roads. It culminates with a tree dedication ceremony at Julian's family home about 2.5 miles away at 1 p.m.

"We really wanted to honor Carmine and his dedication to this community," said Jayne Farrand, an event organizer. "He was very active, very involved."

Julian, an outspoken opponent of Campton Hills' incorporation as a village, died of a heart attack at age 46 in late October last year. The longtime plumbing contractor was taking videos of wildlife, one of his hobbies, in downstate Pittsfield at the time.

Proceeds from Sunday's walk will support an effort to dissolve the village by referendum in the Nov. 4 election, Farrand said.

"I think he (Julian) would be very excited to see how far we've come," she said.

Admission is $25, which includes the cost of a T-shirt for the first 100 walkers ages 12 and older.

Participants are asked wear red and white attire and to arrive at 10:30 a.m. for registration. For more information, visit CamptonThePromise.com.