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Potsdam Summer Festival starts Thursday with music, outdoor movie, exhibits, parade, inflatables and more

Posted 7/9/14

By MATT LINDSEY POTSDAM -- The Potsdam Summer Festival will see the return of many favorites including nearly 30 live music performances, an outdoor movie showing of “Frozen,” an expanded …

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Potsdam Summer Festival starts Thursday with music, outdoor movie, exhibits, parade, inflatables and more

Posted

By MATT LINDSEY

POTSDAM -- The Potsdam Summer Festival will see the return of many favorites including nearly 30 live music performances, an outdoor movie showing of “Frozen,” an expanded “Touch-A-Truck” exhibit, car show, parade and inflatable rides July 10-13.

Other highlights of the 47th annual festival include the firemen’s run to the river, a craft fair, 5k race, clown shows, a fashion show, baking contest, the “rubber ducky pluck” and many food vendors.

An outdoor movie will be shown at the festival again this year in the gazebo at Ives Park. The popular “Frozen” will be shown at 8:30 pm on Friday.

“We were very lucky to be able to show this Oscar winning movie,” said chamber director Marylee Ballou. Popcorn and water will be available. Bring blankets, chairs, and bug spray.

“We had a great response last year, so we decided to bring it back,” Ballou said.

A wide variety of musical entertainment will be at the Northern Music & Video main stage in the blocked off portion of downtown Market Street. Bands that appeal to all ages will perform every hour on the hour throughout the day, with longer acts at night.

This year’s festival includes 27 musical performances on the main stage including Plan B, Max Ryder Band, Northbound, Six Foot Midget, Ten Speed Taxi and Ten Cent Green.

Outer Market Mania is the place to bring the kids Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 pm. in the Save-a-Lot parking lot.

“The “Touch-A-Truck” will feature fire trucks, police cars, a sheriff’s cruiser and construction vehicles,” Ballou said.

There will be games and activities for kids including a fishing game, crafts, hole-in-one, and more. Kids can also enter for bike giveaways. Cubby T. Clown and Friends will entertain during two half-hour performances at noon and 1:30 pm.

To round off the entertainment at Outer Market Mania Tap to Toe Studio of Dance will perform at 11:30 a.m. and Step It Out Dance will provide host a show at 2:15 pm.

The antique and classic car show is often a big hit for young and old. Because of reconstruction of Ives Park, the show this year has moved to the lawn in front of Downtown Snell Hall on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cars must be at least 25 years old to be included.

“The car show grows each year as we see more and more cars entered each year,” she said.

The parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, on Clarkson Ave. The Potsdam firefighters will lead the parade and travel down Maple Street, over the bridge on Fall Island, turning up Main Street toward the fire station and end at Downtown Snell Hall.

“We expect over 20 floats including the Potsdam Elks, St. Lawrence Power and Equipment and two marching bands. This year we have a parade theme of fun in the sun. We wanted the floats and participants to flow with each other,” she said.

At 7 p.m. Saturday the Potsdam Volunteer Fire Department will continue the more than 100 year-old tradition of the “Run to the River.” Firefighters race to be the first to the Raquette River, fill their hoses with water and spray it to the enjoyment of the spectators. The event dates back to the early 1900’s.

Inflatable fun will be available free courtesy of the Potsdam Elks Lodge on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. A concession stand will be available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on these days.

The 13th annual Tour de Potsdam Wellness Walk/Run is planned for Thursday, July 10. The race is open to walkers and runners of all ages. The route takes participants through some of Potsdam’s shaded streets, beginning and ending on Beal Street. Registration begins at 5 p.m., walkers start at 6 p.m. and runners at 6:30 p.m.

The annual arts and crafts fair has moved to the lawn behind The Clarkson Inn. See dozens of artist and crafters displaying their wares on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Non-profits and fundraising group will be moved from the arts and crafts area to the marked off side streets this year due to space issues,” Ballou said.

The Rotary Club of Potsdam will have its 17th annual “Rubber Duck Pluck” Saturday at 2 p.m. near the craft show, behind The Clarkson Inn. Sponsorship tickets are on sale for $5 starting at 9 a.m. The grand prize is $500.

The St. Lawrence Country Arts Council is hosting an Art Market Friday from noon to 6 p.m. on the lawn in front of Downtown Snell Hall or in the first floor lobby if weather is inclement. Meet twelve local artists, view their work and purchase in person. Admission is free.

Maple Run Emporium, 49 Market St. will have guest artists during the festival. Meet artist Donna Jadlos with her ADK Basket Tree on Friday and on Saturday meet artist Jan Close, woodturner.

The Potsdam Police Department will auction off abandoned vehicles at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Impound Lot on Hatch Road. Around 9:30 a.m. the auctioning of bicycles and other items will take place at the police garage on Elm Street.

Don’t miss the “A Fashions for Less” show featured in front of the music main stage at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday. Come watch models strut the runway wearing outfits bought at the C.O.R.C. Thrift Store. The thrift store will have a table set up in front of Harris Medical, 63 Market St. on Saturday. Purchase a tote bag for $10 and then visit the thrift store to fill your bag for free.

The Junque Sale will be held July 12 with proceeds benefiting the Orchestra of Northern New York. Held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Potsdam's Pine Street Arena, 43 Pine St., this sale is billed as one of the largest garage sales in the North Country.

Market Street becomes a virtual restaurant as businesses and vendors set up tables and chairs outside. Food vendors in attendance this year include Cotton Candy & More, Pastimes, Rosie’s Hawg Dog Cart, Mullins Catering, and Potsdam Food Co-op. The Kiwanis Club of Potsdam will offer up fried dough and popcorn Friday and Saturday.

The Potsdam Food Co-op is adding a new event to the Potsdam Summer Festival. They will hold a “Summer Baking Fest” and silent auction Sundayin the Carriage House, behind the Co-op at 24 Elm St.

The Potsdam Elks will serve a chicken barbeque Thursday at 11 a.m.

The local New Horizons Band of Northern NY will perform July 11 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. near the Ives Park gazebo.

The Potsdam Rescue Squad will host its ice cream social from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 10 behind The Clarkson Inn.

For a complete listing of events, locations and times, see the Summer Festival insert or check our day-by-day calendar listings.