A new partnership is a bonus for the Brockport Arts Festival
by Maggie Fitzgibbon for Brockport Arts Festival
Each year, when the Brockport Arts Festival concludes, the planning committee meets to discuss the festival events and activities. After the 2019 Brockport Arts Festival, event committee members planned some changes. The goal was to improve upon past event details and add more community partners. But then the pandemic hit, which resulted in the cancellation of the Brockport Arts Festival for two consecutive years.
In 2021, the BISCO committee reunited and brainstormed ideas. Someone proposed the idea to make the Village of Brockport a partner, the pitch was made, and the partnership became a reality. This year, the Brockport Arts Festival is a collaboration between BISCO (the Brockport Integrated Service Clubs Organization) and the Village of Brockport. BISCO is an association made of about 12 community groups and agencies located in the Brockport area.
Kari Pardun is the Clerk-Treasurer for the Village of Brockport and one of the representatives for the Village for the Brockport Arts Festival. She shared how the partnership came to be.
“The Village was approached by BISCO, who no longer had the volunteer force needed to run and execute the entire festival. The Village, recognizing the economic impact the festival has on our community and the disappointment the community would have to not host the festival, agreed to partner with BISCO to make the festival happen,” Pardun said.
Pardun explained how this new partnership has benefited the festival. The Village spearheaded the vendor registration utilizing an online platform called ZAPP. “This new system has allowed for increased efficiency in the realms of application, jurying, publicity, communication, and organization,” Pardun explained. Along with the organizing and recruitment of vendors, the Village has also enlisted volunteers and scheduled musicians.
Kathy Kristansen is a Village of Brockport board trustee, village liaison to BISCO, and co-chair with Randy Dumas (BISCO representative) of the 2022 Brockport Arts Festival. She shared how the BISCO/Village partnership has proved to benefit the Brockport Arts Festival.
“The Village has resources and also has made contacts that have allowed this event to grow,” Kristansen said. “Before the Village agreed to be a part of the Brockport Arts Festival, we weren’t really sure the event would happen.”
With this new partnership comes the opportunity to share in the proceeds. Kristansen described how BISCO will utilize any Brockport Arts Festival proceeds. “The mission of BISCO is ‘to bring local service organizations together to cooperatively and collectively contribute to the betterment and well-being of eligible individual or groups of children in the westernmost towns of Monroe County in New York State,’ ”
she said. “Along with other projects that focus on children, this year’s proceeds from the Duck Derby are earmarked to purchase a sensory playground for Sagawa Park located in the Village of Brockport.”
In the past, BISCO has supported the Brockport Toy Shelf, purchased computers and equipment for the Youth Area at Seymour Library, sponsored the Brockport Central School District’s Walk to School Program, purchased playground equipment for the Barry Street and Corbett Parks along with a long list of many other contributions,” Kristansen added.
The Village of Brockport has designated any proceeds from the Brockport Arts Festival to support the Bridging The Closure events and activities that will take place when the Main Street Bridge is closed. The bridge is expected to close in March of 2023 and be closed for 18 months for repairs.
Pardun shared some of these plans. “We have committees focused on marketing, events and fundraising, active transportation/recreation, and vehicular traffic. Various ideas that have been considered include a closing celebration, a 5K race, Park Celebration, Holiday Market, Taste of Brockport, Living History Weekend, and hopefully some street concerts and dances,” she said.
With change comes opportunity, and with change comes growth. Not only will the events and activities planned for the 2022 Brockport Arts Festival please folks of all ages, but the proceeds from the festival are also an investment in the community.
Arts Festival After Dark
by Maggie Fitzgibbon for Brockport Arts Festival
The first day of the two-day Brockport Arts Festival is set to end on Saturday, August 13, at 5:00 p.m., but the festival will continue with the Arts Festival After Dark.
A special free concert featuring the band North of Forty will be held on Saturday, August 13, from 7 to 9 p.m. This will take place on Main Street in front of the U.S. Post Office, just south of the Main Street Bridge.
According to their website, North of Forty, a well-known locally-based band, plays classic rock, blues, and some harder rock tunes, including covers of The Rolling Stones, The Doors, Eric Clapton, The Grateful Dead, and more.
The Main Street bars and restaurants will be open during the concert. Food and drink will be available to purchase in keeping with their rules and regulations regarding outdoor dining. Concertgoers may bring their food and drink. But Kari Pardun, Clerk-Treasurer for the Village of Brockport, shared, “In the interest of public safety, no glass containers, coolers, or backpacks are permitted.”
The Brockport Arts Festival (BAF) Committee planned this new event in hopes of expanding the festival and showcasing all that the village offers.
“The committee agreed that the BAF presents a unique and special opportunity to come together, enjoy our beautiful Main Street, and bask in the goodness of Brockport. We all agreed that the fun shouldn’t stop when the festival closes at 5 p.m. and that after the past few years, we want to be together more than ever – hence – an evening concert was conceptualized,” Pardun said. “We hope area citizens, visitors to Brockport, and all of our vendors linger to enjoy the evening of live music and camaraderie.”
Community organizations are valuable resources
by Maggie Fitzgibbon for Brockport Arts Festival
Local non-profit associations provide much-needed services to local communities. Creating awareness about what the community resource can provide is often a challenge.
When BISCO and the Village of Brockport began the process of planning the Brockport Arts Festival, this group understood the importance of including local and regional community groups.
Kari Pardun, Clerk-Treasurer for the Village of Brockport, explained how these organizations enhance all that the Brockport Arts Festival offers.
“The Brockport Arts Festival is a community activity, and so having community organizations involved is imperative. We are happy to help give our residents and visitors exposure to the services and organizations in our area,” Pardun said. “Making connections for oneself, or on behalf of a family member, friend, or neighbor can change their life, so we hope that by having these organizations present, our lives will be enriched directly or indirectly.”
The area non-profit organizations (and the services being provided) that are participating in the Brockport Arts Festival include:
•Monroe County Department of Public Health – COVID-19 vaccinations
•Navy Club of Lake Ontario Ship 1812 – club information and hat sale
•Children Awaiting Parents – organization information
•Lifetime Assistance – agency information
•Brockport Ecumenical Food Shelf – organization information
•Brockport Fire District – fire trucks for viewing, recruitment of new members, fire safety information
•Oak Orchard Health – free masks and COVID-19 test kits
•New York State of Health – information about New York state health insurance
•Sweden Community Foundation – fundraising for Skate Park
•Seymour Library – Kid Zone Activities on Saturday
•Brockport Lions Club – White Cane Project – activities to simulate living with a visual impairment
•Rochester Vet Center – agency information
•PAWS – organization information
Entertainment for all ages at the Brockport Arts Festival
by Maggie Fitzgibbon for Brockport Arts Festival
After a two-year postponement, the Brockport Arts Festival makes its return on August 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day. This well-liked and well-attended event is set to take place on Main Street in the Village of Brockport. A full slate of events is planned, including arts and crafts vendors, a Wine Garden, the popular Duck Derby, and entertainment for all ages.
Adelaide Punkin is a self-proclaimed “festival kid,” but the best way to describe her is as a music prodigy. Adelaide began playing her guitar at age six, and at eight years old, she played her first professional gig. Now at just 14, she and her band travel the East Coast playing at festivals and outdoor events. Adelaide describes her music as junk, a combination of jazz, punk, folk, and rock.
In a recent interview, Adelaide shared that her musical influence came from listening to a wide range of artists, including the Doobie Brothers, Talking Heads, Violent Femmes, and Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter, plus Allman Brothers, Debbie Harry, and Blondie.
“When I was younger, I was heavily influenced by classic rock artists along with jazz and blues musicians. The music genre that has greatly impacted my work is Americana,” Adelaide said. Not only does she perform, but she also writes music.
In her hometown of Torrington, Connecticut, residents call Adelaide the “busking queen of Connecticut” because she would play her music outside local businesses and other public places for free in hopes of gaining attention and garnering tips.
“I learned that the best place to get a crowd is to play outside a laundromat,” Adelaide said with a laugh.
Brockport native Joey Stempien leads Beat Advisory, a band made up of high school and collegiate musicians from the greater Rochester area. This seven-member group has a unique repertoire that Stempien describes as a mix of swing, Latin, and modern fusion music.
Stempien’s interest in music began when he started piano lessons at five years old. As he grew, so did his musical talents. Stempien composed a song when he was in second grade, but he noted, “My music writing really began when I was in fifth grade.”
Stempien’s mother is his inspiration. “My mom fostered my musical interests. She is a professional musician,” he said. “I grew up in a musical family. My younger brother is also a member of Beat Advisory.” While performing may be in Stempien’s blood, he is quick to give praise to his fellow musicians. “My bandmates are phenomenal entertainers,” he said. “We love keeping an audience hooked on our music, and we hope we can inspire a new generation of jazz music students.”
Are you interested in listening to these up-and-coming artists? Adelaide and her band (which also includes her Dad) are scheduled for Saturday, August 13, from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. and on Sunday, August 14, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Stempien’s band, Beat Advisory, is on stage on Saturday, August 13, at 4 p.m.
Besides Adelaide and Beat Advisory, the other entertainers are noted below. All of these performances will take place on the Morgan Manning House stage. Please check the schedule in this special section for a complete listing of the scheduled events, activities, and entertainment during the Brockport Arts Festival.
•Body By Summer – ZUMBA
Saturday, August 13, 10 to 10:30 a.m.
No dance experience is needed!
•Brockport School of Dance and Performing Arts
Saturday, August 13, 11 to 11:30 a.m.
Dance students will showcase their talents.
•Adelaide Punkin
Saturday, August 13, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m.
A combination of jazz, punk, folk, and rock music.
•The Road Less Travelled
Saturday, August 13, 2 to 3:30 p.m.
A local band that features three-part harmonies and renditions of rock, folk blues, and more.
•Beat Advisory
Saturday, August 13, 4 to 5 p.m.
This seven-member group has a unique repertoire that is a mix of swing, Latin, and modern fusion music.
•Adelaide Punkin
Sunday, August 14, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
A combination of jazz, punk, folk, and rock music.
•McHenry and Baz
Sunday, August 14, 12 noon to 3 p.m.
This duo performs music from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s.
•Rudy Dean
Sunday, August 14, 3:30 to 5 p.m.
This jazz guitarist and vocalist’s set list includes jazz classics, country, soft rock, and even bluegrass.
The Brockport Arts Festival Wine Garden – a taste of New York
by Maggie Fitzgibbon for Brockport Arts Festival
Do you consider yourself a wine connoisseur or someone who enjoys wine tastings? The Brockport Arts Festival Wine Garden is the place for you!
The Wine Garden will be open on August 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Wine Garden is located in Our Village Optician’s parking lot on Main Street in the heart of the Brockport Arts Festival.
According to Greg Lund, Lions Club and Wine Garden committee member, this year’s wineries include Weiss Vineyards, Lakeland Winery, Salamanca Winery, and Hunt Country Vineyards.
“We are so pleased to host these four vineyards, and we are hoping to have a commitment from a fifth. All of these wineries will have their wines for purchase along with other merchandise,” Lund said.
Admission to the Wine Garden is $5 per person and includes tastings with the wineries. The set-up of the Wine Garden will be different than in the past. Each vineyard will have its own pop-up tent, and an area will be set up with tables and chairs for people to sit and enjoy the tastings. Lund added, “Folks can also listen to the entertainment that is planned. Sara’s Garden Center is providing large potted plants to help us create a garden atmosphere.”
Organizing an event like the Wine Garden is no small feat, but Lund called upon his Lions Club colleagues to help. “We have about 20 Lions Club members/volunteers who have planned this event and will assist from setting up to tear down, to staffing the admission tent, to assisting the wineries with ice and other supplies,” Lund said.
Volunteers from many local area service organizations like the Lions Club man the Brockport Arts Festival. These local groups are the foundation for BISCO, the Brockport Integrated Service Clubs Organization.
“The goal of the Brockport Arts Festival is two-fold – it’s a great event for people to come to and enjoy all the activities and also to learn all about Brockport and all it offers. And, the Wine Garden is a fundraiser for both BISCO and the Lions Club so we can fulfill our mission to do good works in our community for the benefit of others,” Lund explained.
The Duck Derby race is on!
by Maggie Fitzgibbon for Brockport Arts Festival
The annual Duck Derby will launch on Sunday, August 14. Introductions and the lineup of the ducks start at 4:00 p.m., and the race begins at 4:30 p.m.
What is the Duck Derby? This well-attended and fun-filled family event is held as the culminating event for the Brockport Arts Festival. Community members and area businesses sell duck tickets. The ducks are numbered with these corresponding ticket numbers. On the day of the event, small yellow plastic ducks depart from the Main Street Canal Bridge. The first ten and last ten ducks that cross the finish line are awarded prizes.
Joe Avery, who owns the RE/Max Real Estate branch in Brockport called RE/MAX Titanium, is coordinating the Duck Derby this year. He explained the race route.
“The ducks race east toward the Park Avenue Bridge and travel a few hundred feet to the ‘finish line,’ which is a net that funnels the ducks to a boat,” Avery said.
Duck tickets are available at 58 Main BBQ and Brew in the Village of Brockport, from community members, and at the Brockport Arts Festival Information booth. A single duck ticket is $5, five tickets are $20, and 35 tickets are $100. Prizes for the Duck Derby winners range from cash, gift cards, gift baskets, an outdoor grill, and memberships from local sponsors.
The Brockport Arts Festival and all of its events and activities are the work of many hands. Avery explained how and why he became involved.
“We had the opportunity to help with the Duck Derby a few years back and fell in love with the event. This year the event needed additional help, and the agents at RE/MAX Titanium and Boy Scout Troop 111 were excited to have this opportunity,” he said.
Many volunteers are needed to organize and make the Duck Derby happen. “We have about 20 people helping to organize and sort the ducks over three sessions. Troop 111 really stepped up and was the leader on this part of the event,” Avery said. “We have volunteers for pre-sale and weekend ticket sales, volunteers who are collecting prize donations, which is another huge portion of the event, and then the setting up and tear down of all the Duck Derby event equipment. We have over 300 man-hours invested in the Duck Derby.”
Avery shared why this popular event is important to the community.
“The Duck Derby is a major fundraiser for the Brockport Arts Festival. It’s always been a fun draw for community members to witness the event and attend the festival. The proceeds go to a variety of youth programs, activities, and needs. It’s all about helping the kids,” Avery said.
Photo by Kathy Kristansen
