by Maggie Fitzgibbon,
on behalf of Brockport Arts Festival
Art, crafts and so much more at the Brockport Arts Festival
The Brockport Arts Festival (BAF) is a long-standing community event that draws tens of thousands of festivalgoers who travel from many areas of New York state and across the country. This year notes the 27th anniversary of this popular and successful event that has survived the pandemic, the construction of Main Street, and this year, the reconstruction of the Erie Canal Lift Bridge.
The Brockport Arts Festival will be held on August 12 and 13 each day from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. This year’s festival will be held in the heart of the business district in the Village of Brockport. The festival weekend is chocked full of events and activities that offer something for everyone – live entertainment, arts and crafts, plenty of food, a Wine Garden, an Arts Festival Marketplace, a Kids’ Zone and even a culminating event called the Duck Derby.
Almost 200 vendors can be found at the 2023 Brockport Arts Festival, which, according to Kari Pardun, is a record number of artists, direct sales, and merchants for this event. Pardun, BAF Steering Committee Co-Chair, attributes this increase to many reasons.
“The 2022 Brockport Arts Festival was one of the best attended in the festival’s history. Almost 20,000 people visited over the two days,” she explained. “A well-attended festival builds the reputation of the festival and draws excellent artists and first-rate vendors for subsequent years,” she added.
Kathy Kristansen, BAF Steering Committee Co-Chair, also shared how the success of the 2022 Brockport Arts Festival laid the groundwork for more community events.
“The 2022 Brockport Arts Festival invigorated the vibrancy of the Village of Brockport and spawned future activities and events. We were able to plan and hold a Winter Market, have a role in the SUNY Brockport Homecoming, and plan and host a very successful event called Dinner on Main,” Kristansen said. “All traffic was rerouted and Main Street was closed. We set up tables and chairs and placed menus from the downtown restaurants as well as menu QR codes on the tables so people could place their orders from their seats. It was a huge success.”
New to the festival is an Arts Festival Marketplace. This area will be located in the Our Village Optician parking lot, on Main Street in the Village of Brockport. The marketplace vendors include Tastefully Simple, Cutco, and more.
Are you up for a challenge? A social media scavenger hunt is new addition to the festival this year. Throughout the festival weekend, challenges will be posted on the Brockport Arts Festival Facebook page. Completed challenges will be entered into a drawing for prizes, which includes a set of very large camping chairs donated by Runnings.
Pardun explained how to enter. “Come to the Brockport Arts Festival Hospitality Tent to show proof of completion of the challenge and enter to win,” she said.
The grounds of the Morgan Manning House set a perfect stage for entertainment throughout the festival weekend. Another entertainment stage will be located at the end of Main Street near the canal along with a dedicated area for children’s entertainment called the Kids’ Zone.
The festival has a full schedule of entertainment planned throughout the weekend. These performance times as well as a map of the festival areas are listed in this special Brockport Arts Festival section.
Arts Festival After-Hours Concert and Dinner on Main
Enjoy a summer Saturday evening at the Brockport Arts Festival, listen to some great music, and indulge in food from downtown restaurants.
The Brockport Arts Festival has a full schedule of entertainment over the two-day festival, and this includes an after-festival hours concert on Saturday, August 12, called Arts Festival After-Hours Concert and Dinner on Main. The concert stage is on Main Street at the intersection of Clinton Street and is called the Canalside Stage.
Black Robin Band takes the stage at 4:30 p.m. and performs until 7:30 p.m. The band North 43 begins at 8 p.m. and continues until the concert ends at 10 p.m.
Black Robin Band consists of three musicians who hail from the Upstate New York area. Their musical influences are rock, pop, and blues bands from the 60 years.
North 43 makes a return appearance this year. This area band’s repertoire includes classic rock, blues, and covers of The Grateful Dead, The Rolling Stones, and more.
The popular event called Dinners on Main will take place during the concert. Tables and chairs will be set up down Main Street. Concertgoers are encouraged to order food and beverages from downtown restaurants and enjoy the music.
Kari Pardun, BAF Steering Committee member, shared how this event has grown from last year.
“We know Brockport is a community that loves live music. We thought giving the festival community, as a whole, the chance to come together at the end of Saturday would be a great addition. Last year’s concert was well received, but people asked that it start earlier. To do so, we’ve added another band,” she explained. “Our music genres will span 50 plus years and offer something for everyone. It’s particularly important to us this year, and easily merged with Dinners On Main, as we do our best to keep downtown Brockport vibrant and active in light of the bridge closure.”
As a reminder lawn chairs are allowed, however, coolers are not.
Brockport Arts Festival has a new event organizer
Promoter, coordinator, developer, and designer are all words that can be used to describe the Village of Brockport’s new role as manager and director of the Brockport Arts Festival.
Over the last year, the Brockport Integrated Service Clubs Organization (BISCO) was in communication with the Village of Brockport, regarding the future of the Brockport Arts Festival. In the past, BISCO was the organizer of this event and in 2022 the Village co-organized the event with BISCO.
Kathy Kristansen, BAF Steering Committee Co-Chair, explained that in order to keep the festival active and thriving, there needed to be a change.
“BISCO representatives met with the Village to discuss the future of the festival. The Village agreed to take over the ownership and organizing of the festival. This truly is a win-win for everyone,” Kristansen said.
Kari Pardun and Barbara Krizen are BAF Steering Committee members. Kristansen and Randy Dumas serve as BAF Steering Committee Co-Chairs.
Kristiansen noted how this group of four collaborates.
“We all have strengths that we bring to the table which is why we work so well together,” she said.
The committee agrees that community events like the Brockport Arts Festival benefit the community in many ways, which is another reason why the Village of Brockport agreed to take ownership of the festival.
“Last year’s festival had a record turnout in attendees along with a record number of artists and vendors. The more people who participate and attend, then the more people who can learn how much this area has to offer,” Pardun explained. “This year we have a fifty percent increase in vendors and artists. We attribute this to last year’s attendance.”
Kristansen also shared how the success of the 2022 Brockport Arts Festival laid the groundwork for more community events.
“The 2022 Brockport Arts Festival invigorated the vibrancy of the Village of Brockport and spawned future activities and events. We were able to plan and hold a Winter Market, have a role in the SUNY Brockport Homecoming, and plan and host a very successful event called Dinner on Main,” Kristansen said. “All traffic was rerouted and Main Street was closed. We set up tables and chairs and placed menus from the downtown restaurants as well as restaurant menu QR codes so people could place their orders from their seats. It was a huge success.”
Kristansen and Pardun agree that community events like these are economic drivers and are vital to the survival of area businesses as well as the Brockport community at large.
Calling all wine aficionados
Are you a wine connoisseur or a wine aficionado? Pay a visit to the Brockport Arts Festival and visit the Wine Garden for a taste of New York.
The Wine Garden will be open during the festival hours on Saturday, August 12 ,and Sunday, August 13, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Wine Garden will be located on the grounds of the Morgan Manning House.
Admission to the garden is $5 per person and includes tastings from four Upstate New York wineries: Weis Vineyards, Lakeland Winery, 1000 Island Winery, and Victorianbourg Wine Estate.
New to the Wine Garden this year is Antler Run Distillery. Located in Keuka Park, New York, this distillery offers a range of spirits including bourbon, whiskey, cider, and gin.
All of the wineries, including Antler Run Distillery, will have their products available for purchase.
According to Cheryl Warner, a BISCO board member, all proceeds from the Wine Garden will support BISCO projects. BISCO’s (Brockport Integrated Service Clubs Organization) focus is supporting projects that benefit children from the western towns of Monroe County.
“Our new, great location promises to be very inviting,” Warner said.
Ducks make splash at the Brockport Arts Festival Duck Derby
Can you picture seeing small, yellow plastic ducks floating down the Erie Canal and wondering why? The annual Duck Derby is a popular, community event that culminates the Brockport Arts Festival. This year’s derby is set for Sunday, August 13, at 4 p.m. The event is sponsored and organized by RE/MAX Titanium. Proceeds from the Duck Derby benefit the works of Brockport Integrated Service Clubs Organization (BISCO).
Ducks can be purchased at the Duck Derby tent throughout the festival weekend; however, duck sales will end on Sunday at 3 p.m.
Interested in joining the fun and taking a chance by purchasing a duck? One lonely duck costs $5, a five-pack is $20 and a flock of 35 ducks is $100.
Because the Main Street Bridge is closed for repairs, the ducks will be launched at the Brockport Welcome Center located at 11 Water Street, right next to the Erie Canal.
Cindy Ingraham, Duck Derby volunteer, and RE/MAX Titanium real estate agent, described the race course. “Although the starting place of the derby has changed, the race route has not. The ducks will float east down the canal to end at the Park Avenue Bridge.”
According to Ingraham, over $2,000 in prizes will be awarded. The first and last duck that cross the finish line are the grand prizewinners followed by the first ten and last ten.
Ingraham explained why this event is important to the Brockport Arts Festival and the community.
“The Duck Derby has been a long-standing event at the Brockport Arts Festival. People truly look forward to the race. The prizes are mostly cash or gift cards from local Brockport businesses. The money we raise benefits the community and the prizes also help the Brockport area,” she said. “RE/MAX Titanium is a local Brockport business so it just seems like the right choice to help keep the Duck Derby alive in our community.”
Entertainment and fun for all at the Brockport Arts Festival
The Brockport Arts Festival (BAF) has a host of events and activities planned for folks of all ages. Three stages will be located throughout the festival grounds – at Sagawa Park, the Morgan Manning House, and another on Main Street at the intersection of Clinton Street called the Canalside Stage.
The Kids’ Zone, sponsored by Nortera Foods, will be located in Sagawa Park and include children’s entertainment and activities organized by JLU Childcare and Brockport Clarkson Learning Center. On Saturday, some of the featured Kids’ Zone entertainment includes Soulshine in the Zen Den Yoga and Meditation at 10 a.m. and Allen Hopkins Music at 2 p.m. At 10 a.m., the ever-popular Seneca Park Zoo ZooMobile is part of Sunday’s Kids’ Zone entertainment schedule along with The Magic Illusions of Patrick at 1 p.m.
On Saturday morning, The Morgan Manning House stage will feature Body by Summer and the Brockport School of Dance. The band, The Road Less Traveled, takes the stage at noon, followed by Gray Wolf Kyokushin Martial Arts. Sunday’s Morgan Manning House stage schedule includes Brockport native Joe Stempien’s bands, Beat Advisory and Joey Stempien Big Band.
New to the Brockport Arts Festival this year is Brianna Fitzpatrick, a speed and contortionist painting artist.
Fitzpatrick describes herself as dynamically different.
“I’m flippin’, headspinnin’, paint splatterin,’ dancin’ my way through the wilderness to capture the beauty of energy and movement,” Fitzpatrick said.
Interested in watching this one-of-a-kind artist? She is performing throughout the festival weekend on both the Canalside and Morgan Manning stages.
The Canalside stage will also feature some unique artists and performers. On Saturday, a duo called Indigo Bunting will showcase their talents. This pair combines their drumming and painting talents to create a special performance. On Saturday evening, Black Robin Band and North 43 take the Canalside stage for the Arts Festival After Hours Concert and Dinner on Main. Soulshine in the Zen Den Yoga and Meditation make a return appearance on Sunday at the Canalside stage. Dave Knaudt, a guitar soloist performs in the afternoon.
A complete listing of entertainers and performance times can be found in this special Brockport Arts Festival section along with a map of the festival areas.
Sponsors and non-profits help the Brockport Arts Festival grow
When businesses sponsor community events like the Brockport Arts Festival, this involvement demonstrates the businesses’ commitment to supporting the local community. By investing in local events, businesses contribute to the overall well-being and development of the community.
Canandaigua National Bank is a major contributor to the Brockport Arts Festival. Ginny Ryan is the Director of Community Engagement for Canandaigua National Bank.
Ryan explained the importance of the bank’s sponsorship of the Brockport Arts Festival.
“From the moment Canandaigua National Bank opened its Brockport office three years ago, the people of Brockport welcomed us, even in the midst of the pandemic. Our support of the Arts Festival is a natural extension of the fact that we feel right at home here,” Ryan said.
Ryan also shared that sponsoring community events aligns businesses with the interests and needs of the community.
“As a community bank, Canandaigua National Bank prides itself on its ability to see the potential in and cater to the needs of small businesses. The Festival is the ultimate showcase of the talent in our community and its many budding small businesses,” Ryan said. “We see this event as a celebration of not only art and music but of Brockport and the hundreds of volunteers who devote their time and energy to make this happen for the last 27 years.”
The Brockport Arts Festival sponsors also include Spurr Chevrolet, Notera Foods, Assured Partners/Bond Benefits, Long Construction, LeafGuard, Renewal by Anderson, Western New York Concrete, Patricia Baker, Westside News, Casella, and Runnings.
Besides giving a financial sponsorship, Spurr Chevrolet will provide the festival park and ride shuttle. Festivalgoers can park their vehicles at Sweden Plaza and ride the festival shuttle that will drop off at the south end of the festival area. Spurr will also provide a mobile device charging station that will be housed in the back of a car.
Notera Foods is sponsoring the activities and entertainment at the Kids’ Zone. That will be located in Sagawa Park. JLU Childcare and Brockport Clarkson Learning Center will provide Kids’ Zone activities over the festival weekend. Runnings is providing water for vendors, the loan of chairs and canopies, donating prizes for the Social Media Scavenger Hunt, as well as the loan of shopping carts to make deliveries. The Girl Scouts of Western New York Lake Ridge Service Unit are volunteering and delivering water and snacks to vendors.
Other community organizations and non-profits that are participating in the Brockport Arts Festival in different ways and include:
•Frosty & Friends – Bikers for Charity
•PAWS
•Brockport Community Connection
•RBTL’s Auditorium Theatre
•Brockport Fire District
•Brockport Food Shelf
•Troop 111 Pack 86
•ReMax/BISCO -Duck Derby
•Sweden Community Foundation
•White Cane Project/Lions Club
•New York State of Health
•Oak Orchard Community Health
•Brockport Police Department
•Brockport Volunteer Ambulance
•Rochester Museum & Science Center – Eclipse Team.
