By ADAM ATKINSON
North Country This Week

POTSDAM -- A fall feast barbecue and a brunch picnic, Taste of Oktoberfest, a concert in Ives Park, the Fall Food Festival at the Co-op, the Amvets Family and Freedom Festival, and local business promotions are all part of the Fall Celebration planned by the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce.

The event, slated for Saturday, Sept. 21, is still in the organization stages, but Kurstin Stowell, chamber coordinator, who developed the idea, hopes to use the event to showcase local businesses to the community.

“I'm really hoping that this celebration brings about a different feeling than summer festival,” Stowell said. “I want to turn the attention to the wonderful businesses and organizations that Potsdam has to offer. I anticipate being able to do this by inviting our business members to participate in whichever way they feel benefits them. I am here and ready to work with all of their ideas.”

The first two events that have been confirmed at this point include a Fall Feast barbecue competition and a Brunch Picnic in Ives Park. The competition is open to the public for participation. Pre-registration is required and there is a $10 registration fee.

The Brunch Picnic will feature tasteful decorating, unique seating, local caterers and live music. There will be a $3 entry fee for this event.

Other ideas for events in the works include Taste of Oktoberfest tent, local school fundraisers in the park, pumpkin painting, family fall photo opportunity, face painting, a scarecrow contest and a hay maze.

Other entertainment is planned around town that day as well. The Ives Park Concert Series will stage its last concert of the season in Ives Park at 6 p.m., Potsdam Amvets Post 282 is hosting a Family and Freedom Festival and the Potsdam Food Co-Op will host their annual fall food festival.

“I hope that communities members use this as an opportunity to walk into an establishment they have never entered before, to ask questions, to have fun and laugh and to take a moment to soak in this great town. I strongly believe fall is the best season to do just that in,” Stowell said.

The chamber is seeking to fully involve local businesses and create opportunities for promotion. Some ideas for local business involvement include creating fall-themed carnival games or activities in the park, hosting a sidewalk sale outside of your business, offering special fall deals, volunteering for one of the chamber events or sponsoring.

To sponsor some aspect of the celebration, or to host an event at an establishment as part of the Fall Celebration, contact Stowell at the chamber at 315-274-9000.

“Our winters are long and cold. Fall gives us that one last outdoor opportunity to get to know each other and utilize the benefits of living in a small community. I encourage everyone to follow the progress of this celebration and come explore Potsdam on September 21st,” Stowell said.

Info: www.potsdamchamber.com/fall-celebration.