Summertime in upstate New York is synonymous with outdoor events, concerts and festivals. The Brockport Arts Festival (BAF) is a well-known festival that draws tens of thousands of folks to western Monroe County. This year’s festival will take place in the heart of the village of Brockport on Saturday, August 8 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on Sunday, August 9 from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The festival site will be located along Main Street from State Street south to the railroad bridge.
Over 110 artists will showcase their work at this year’s BAF. This juried show includes new and returning artists who are selected by the BAF Committee. These artists create a wide variety of products in media including wood, clay, ceramics, glass, textiles, and metal.
“We are proud to host high-quality artists who hail from all over New York along with some artists from Texas, Florida and the mid-West,” said Art Appleby, BAF Chairperson and President of the Brockport Integrated Service Club Organization (BISCO).
Stop out to the Brockport Arts Festival and witness thousands of yellow plastic ducks floating in the Erie Canal. The popular BAF event, called the Duck Derby, is set for Sunday, August 9 at 3:30 p.m. Interested in taking a chance on a winner? Duck tickets can be purchased at the Duck Derby booth throughout the festival weekend. Tickets are $5 each; five tickets are called Quack Pack and cost $20. Buy a flock of 35 tickets for $100. Prizes including gas gift cards, Wegmans gift cards, computers, gas grills and TVs, will be awarded for the first five and last five ducks that cross the finish line.
Do you have a prized roadster? Drive on in to the Brockport Arts Festival Cruise-in on Saturday, August 8 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. This year’s Cruise-in, sponsored by the Mopar Club, will have a new location on College Street. Stop over to see some great hot rods and vintage vehicles.
Get to the arts festival early on Sunday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. to visit the popular Farmers Market located along Market Street. Many area growers will offer their latest harvests.
Food, food, and more food. Check out all the different food vendors including two BISCO booths at this year’s BAF.
“You can find fried dough, ice cream and much more — even specialty coffee at the different food truck vendors,” said Appleby.
Greg Lund, BISCO secretary, explained how important the festival is to the Brockport community: “We have unique vendors. The festival highlights all that Brockport offers to our community. We invite folks to come spend a day or the weekend, shop, enjoy the music and food and tour our village,” he said.
Besides all the great artists, food and entertainment, during the festival weekend, festival-goers can learn more about Brockport organizations and all that the greater Brockport community has to offer. Area churches will offer tours of their historic worship places, and also offer rummage and baked food sales.
Make it easy – take the shuttle
Event organizers encourage attendees to park at the Sweden Plaza on Route 19 south of Route 31, just outside of the village, and use the festival shuttle. This shuttle will operate throughout the weekend from 9:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and 9:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. The shuttle buses will run to and from the festival every 20 minutes.
Check out more festival information highlighted in this special Westside News Inc. publication or visit the BAF website at brockportartsfestival.com.
