Nearly 200 people enjoyed Dutchess County's first annual thinkDIFFERENTLY Field & Fitness Day at Bowdoin Park Thursday to celebrate abilities -- not disabilities -- while also connecting to services.

The inaugural event had much to offer.

"I love being able to spend time here with my husband, my son, and all the others we haven't been able to because of COVID," said Karen Abramson, whose 7-year-old son has an intellectual disability. "I just love that the community come out and spend some time together."

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro says he expects the thinkDIFFERENTLY Field and Fitness Day will become a regular event.

"Navigating the system that the federal and state government have created for those with disabilities is complex, it's challenging, and, at times, it's adversarial. And too many are left out. Our goal is to knock down as many barriers as we can to accessing support as is possible," he said.