Saturday, July 12, 2025 | St. Lawrence County, NY
POTSDAM – Downtown Potsdam will come alive with music, food, and celebration as the annual Potsdam Summer Fest returns from Thursday, July 10 to Saturday, July 12.
Hosted by the …
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POTSDAM – Downtown Potsdam will come alive with music, food, and celebration as the annual Potsdam Summer Fest returns from Thursday, July 10 to Saturday, July 12.
Hosted by the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce, the three-day event will feature nearly 50 live music performances, over 100 local vendors, and a full lineup of family-friendly activities, community showcases, and after-hours entertainment.
“We’re excited to bring the community together for another unforgettable summer weekend,” said Melanie Flack, Executive Director of the Potsdam Chamber. “This festival not only celebrates the spirit of Potsdam—it also showcases the very best our local businesses have to offer. It’s a great time to explore, support, and enjoy what makes our community so special.”
Live music will fill the streets of downtown Potsdam throughout the event, with performances scheduled across three outdoor stages. The lineup includes nearly 50 bands and artists representing a range of genres—from high-energy rock to mellow folk, blues, and jazz—highlighting the diversity of the North Country music scene.
The downtown marketplace, stretching through Ives Park and Market Street, will host more than 100 local vendors. Festival goers can browse handmade goods, artwork, jewelry, crafts, and locally produced food items while supporting small businesses and regional artisans.
The festival kicks off Thursday with a variety of community-focused events. At 11 a.m., the Potsdam Elks Club will serve its signature Chicken Bar-B-Que at 10 Elm Street—available until sold out. New this year: the Potsdam Varsity Boys Basketball Team will host an All-Ages Free Throw Contest on Market Street, beginning at 4 p.m. Jazzercise Potsdam will lead the long-standing Tour de Potsdam 5K, encouraging walkers and runners of all levels to get active. Cool down afterward at Ives Park, where the Potsdam Volunteer Rescue Squad will host an Ice Cream Social and Dunk Tank. The evening wraps up with a free outdoor family movie presented by Advancing Tobacco Free Communities of Jefferson, Lewis, & St. Lawrence Counties.
Friday’s highlight is the Fall Island Fiesta, a family-friendly event filled with interactive activities for children. Attractions include train rides, a reptile show sponsored by Second Glance, touch-a-truck experiences, rock painting, library story time, face painting, hands-on exhibits presented by North Country Children’s Museum and more. The event is designed to offer a safe, joyful experience for kids of all ages.
The celebration continues with tent sales and specials from local businesses. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., The UPS Store at 200 Market Street will be giving away new books for school-aged children—a great opportunity to encourage summer reading.
Saturday’s schedule includes laser tag sponsored by Pepsi Cola Ogdensburg Bottlers, community performances, the St. Lawrence Adirondack AACA Antique & Classic Car Show and a food truck rodeo. The excitement builds toward the evening with the annual Fireman’s Parade and the Run to the River. The day concludes with a spectacular fireworks show, sponsored by Mahoney’s Auto Mall and Donaldson-Seymour Funeral Home, lighting up the Potsdam sky in a stunning grand finale.
Festival nights will remain lively with after-hours programming throughout the weekend. Activities include a downtown Pub Crawl, ongoing live music, and the always-popular Beer, Wine & Cider Tent Party.
The Potsdam Summer Fest is free and open to the public. For the full schedule and list of event sponsors, visit www.potsdamchamber.com. The Potsdam Chamber of Commerce is located at 6 Market Street and is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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