By MATT LINDSEY

POTSDAM -- The 49th Potsdam Summer Festival returns July 14-16 featuring Laser tag, over 25 musical acts, an expanded “Touch-A-Truck” exhibit, parade, car show, inflatable rides and other events.

Other festival highlights include the firemen’s run to the river, a craft fair, 5K race, clown doses, outdoor movie, and “rubber ducky pluck.”

“We are hoping for great weather and a good turnout again this year,” said Potsdam Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Marylee Ballou.

The first block of Market Street will be blocked off to traffic, for safety reasons, and there will be a main stage with musical performances.

“There will be some new acts this year, including Musical Way academy and a performance from Sunday Rock Legacy who will preview an upcoming July show.

The main stage is sponsored by the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce and SUNY Potsdam.

Outer Market Mania kicks things off on Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Save-a-Lot parking lot.

New this year, the Potsdam Volunteer Fire Department will offer a Jr. Firefighter Combat Challenge. The event included a variety of vehicles, from fire trucks to construction vehicles and more for the youngsters to explore. Fire trucks from Potsdam and Madrid will be on display, as well as police vehicles.

Admission is free and there will be games and activities for kids. Kids can enter bike giveaways from NBT Bank and Ponderosa.

Cubby T. Clown and Friends will entertain during two half hour performances at noon and 1:30 p.m.

The festival will again host a variety of musical entertainment at the Potsdam Chamber and SUNY Potsdam Main Stage. Performers are booked, with shows starting every hour on the hour throughout the day, and longer acts at night.

The sound for the stage is provided by Riverside Sound of Massena.

Laser tag will be held July 16, with games from 3 to 5 p.m. and again from 7 to 10 p.m., taking a break for the parade at 5:30 p.m.

The theme of this year’s festival parade is “Patriotic”. The parade will held on Saturday.

The parade begins on Clarkson Avenue, turns right onto Maple Street and continues over the bridge, up Main Street passed the fire station and ending behind Old Snell Hall Building.

Spectators can view the parade from Main Street or on the other side of the double bridges on Fall Island.

“We had some difficulty with organizing the parade this year because the marching bands are committed to other events,” she said. “We are looking for organizations and others for ways to fill in and for a musical act to open the parade.”

At 7 p.m. on Saturday, following the parade, the Potsdam Volunteer Fire Department will continue the over 100 year tradition of the Run to the River.

The fire trucks of the department compete to be the first to race to the Raquette River, fill their hoses with water and spray it to the enjoyment of the spectators. This event dates back to the early 1900’s.

The Northern New York Lawnmower Racing Association, under the American Racing Mower Association host races July 16 at Sandstoner Park.

Although not technically part of the festival, the races will be held the same weekend in Potsdam.

Pits open at 3 p.m. with the races at 5 p.m. Admission is $5; anyone under age 12 is free. Proceeds support the Potsdam Recreation program.

“We will see how successful it is and it may become part of the summer festival,” Ballou said.

The antique and classic car show returns to its traditional location at the south end of Ives Park along the banks of the Raquette River. The show is on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The annual arts and crafts fair, also held in Ives Park, includes dozens of artist and crafters displaying their wares on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The 15th Tour de Potsdam Wellness Walk/Run, will be held Thursday July 14 and is open to walkers and runners of all ages.

Registration forms are available at www.tourdepotsdam.com and on-site registration begins at 5 p.m. Walkers start at 6 p.m. and runners at 6:30 p.m. Registration is $15, and kids 12 and younger are free with a registered adult.

The Potsdam Community Band will perform a program of classic American band music from 6 to 7:30 pm on Friday July 15 near the Ives Park Gazebo.

An outdoor movie, “Minions,” will be shown in Ives Park around 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 15.

FunFlicks, who will be bringing in a large inflatable screen, will also sell popcorn and treats during the showing. Bring blankets, chairs, and bug spray.

Inflatable slides, obstacle courses and more will be available courtesy of the Potsdam Elks Lodge, 10 Elm St., again this year. The Elks provide rides free to all children. The Kid Zone will run Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Potsdam Elks Thursday chicken BBQ will begin serving at 11 a.m., with chicken halves and dinners sold until supply runs out.

The Potsdam Rescue Squad hosts its ice cream social from 6:30 to 8 p.m., July 14 near Ives Park Gazebo.

Market Street will become a virtual restaurant as businesses and vendors set up. Special food vendors appearing this year include Cotton Candy & More, The Lounge Catering, Rosie’s Hawg Dog Cart, Wursthaus 3, and Mullins Catering.

The Rotary Club of Potsdam will have its 19th Rubber Duck Pluck Saturday near the craft show, behind The Clarkson Inn.

Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the festival The grand prize is $500, with awards for second and third place as well.

The Orchestra of Northern New York sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Potsdam's Pine Street Arena, 43 Pine St.

There will be household items, jewelry, art, CDs, LPs, music, toys, books, furnishings and more.

Maple Run Emporium, 49 Market St., will host two guest artists. Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Donna Jadlos of ADK Basket Tree will weave a basket and share insights about her work on display.

Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jan Close, award-winning wood-turner, will return for his sixth consecutive Summer Festival appearance at Maple Run Emporium.

The Potsdam Police Department will auction off abandoned vehicles at the Police impound lot on Hatch Rd. at 8:45 am. Viewing starts at 8:30 a.m. The auction moves to the police garage at approximately 9 a.m.

C.O.R.C. Thrift Store will have a 50 cent sale Friday, July 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Everything in the store will be 50 cents each. Bring a C.O.R.C. tote bag and fill it for $2.