by Maggie Fitzgibbon
It’s a homecoming of sorts.
This summer, the 18th annual Brockport Arts Festival (BAF) is set for Saturday, August 11 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, August 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This popular west side celebration will be held on the newly reconstructed Main Street in the heart of downtown Brockport. The festival returns to its original site after two years of being displaced due to street construction.
The event includes a bevy of entertainment, events, and artists as well as a farmers market and wine garden, the ever-popular Duck Derby, a novel event – a beard contest, and a new area called the Family Fun Area. A vintage car cruise-in, a children’s walk-a-thon, a bake sale expand the scope of the two-day event. See the map on the center spread of this section for the events schedule and sites.
“It is our goal to make this a community festival which showcases our beautiful village. Being back on Main Street allows us to offer more to the community,” said Pat Baker, president-elect of the BAF.
Over 100 artists are expected to showcase their goods. These artists hail from throughout the United States and feature many local artists and inventors like Ron Pierce and Phil Fiacco. These two inventors will sell their creation called pole bee. The object of this game is to throw a Frisbee and knock a can off a pole all while holding onto a 12-ounce beverage can. Demonstrations will happen at this booth through the BAF weekend.
The Wine Garden will be located under the “big” tent at this year’s festival and will be open both days from noon until 6 p.m. There’s a $5 per person tasting fee. Visitors should be prepared with I.D., the tent is open only to those who are 21 or older. Six local wineries: Atwater Estate Vineyards & Winery, Glenora Wine Cellars, Knapp Winery, Limeberry Gallery & Winery, Schwenk Wine Cellars, and Thousand Island Winery, will feature their very best wines.
New this year will be a Family Fun Area located on the lawn of the Morgan Manning House. This specially-planned area will focus on entertainment and activities for folks of all ages.
“The Family Fun Area will offer games and activities for all members of the community – seniors can join in with the kids,” Baker said.
For 16 years, the Brockport community has seen thousands of ducks race towards the finish line during the Duck Derby. This year, the event returns to the canal on Sunday, August 12 at 4 p.m. Buy a duck or a flock and all of the proceeds from this annual festival favorite will benefit Lakeside Hospital’s fund to purchase new digital mammography equipment. Stop by the Duck Derby booth at the festival to purchase your duck.
Festival goers can find entertainers and musicians all throughout the festival area this year as well as at designated stages.
“We are bringing a different approach to entertainment this year. Visitors will find street musicians and entertainers strolling throughout the festival area and also at special stages,” Baker said.
The Classic Car Cruise-in will be held on Saturday, August 11 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and will be located just north of the canal on the grass field east of North Main Street (Route 19). There is no fee to enter and this event is open to the public. Admission is free. Door prizes will be drawn throughout the day for those showcasing their vehicles.
The Kid’s Walk-A-Thon is open to elementary school-age children and will be held on Saturday, August 11. Registration is at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Fire Hall on Market Street. The races will begin at 10:30 a.m. Form a team of two or be assigned to a team. Races will consist of teams of children of similar ages.
A bake sale at the First Baptist Church on Saturday, August 11 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Sunday, August 12 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. will benefit its monthly free community meal. This church is located at the corner of Main and Holley Streets in downtown Brockport. Check out delicious homemade goodies and help support this year round community offering.
Local farmers and growers will sell their summer harvests at the Farmers Market on Sunday, August 12 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Stop in early to get the cream of the crop including a variety of homemade food items.
Are you itching for some fun? Then check out the first-ever Beard Contest. Open to anyone, this contest will be held at A Different Path Gallery on Market Street on Sunday, August 12 at 2:30 p.m. If you can’t grow a beard in time for this contest, make one! Contact Sarah Hart at the gallery at 637-5494 for information.
Information about the Brockport Arts Festival fills this Westside News Inc. section. Visit the website at www.brockport-artsfestival.com for other information.
