BY ADAM ATKINSONNorth Country This Week

POTSDAM -- Potsdam's Summerfest 2024 promises rock and roll, great food, street fair, races and laser tag.

The annual event, organized by the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce and set this year for July 11, 12 and 13, traditionally draws thousands of people downtown to Market Street and Ives Park for the festivities and this year promises to be no different.

"I'm so excited," said new Potsdam Chamber of Commerce Director Melanie Flack. "I have enjoyed Summerfest with my family and my son since he was 9 years old... and this year I get to be a part of it."

Flack said there is an "awesome, hardworking team" at the chamber helping to bring the three-day community celebration over the finish line. She said there are more than 40 musical events and more than 100 vendors planned for this year's event.

This will be the new director's first time organizing the event.

"I wouldn't say there are a lot of challenges, there is just a lot to it," Flack said.

The director said the summer festival comes together with a good number of community members coming together to make it happen, and more volunteers are always appreciated.

"I would love more volunteers," she said. Help is always needed for clean-up, helping out at the chamber tent, or lending a hand at individual events.

"Whatever someone is most interested in, they can sign up to help," she said.

The Potsdam Elks Lodge on Elm Street gets things rolling at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 11 with its annual chicken barbecue, followed by music from Big Papa's Porch Party at 2 p.m. on the Main Stage on Market Street.

This year as in year's past, Market Street will be closed off to accommodate the festivities and a lively street fair with vendors, outdoor café setups from downtown eateries, and music with other activities like artisan fair, music, rubber ducks and other events planned in Ives Park.

Traditional Summerfest favorites for visitors will again include the Tour de Potsdam 5K, the annual Run to the River, the Potsdam Pub Crawl planned Sunday, and the Fall Island Fiesta Children's fair.

And, if live music is your draw to downtown during the three-day summer festival, then listeners will have the opportunity to hear some of the best local and regional bands. Scheduled to perform throughout the fest are: Big Papa’s Porch Party, 5 Dots, Andrew LaMora, New Horizons Swing Band, Brad Ladison, Norwood Brass Firemen, Divided Roads, The Goddard Girls, Animal Crackers, Broad Band, Chris Cole, Microburst, Kevin Smith, The Todd Sisters, Nicole White, Ben Lacy, Ryan McNally, Tas Cru and Mary Ann Casale, The Whiskey Room Band, Potsdam Community Band, Dan Sullivan-Catlin, Tiger Eye, Foolish Pride, Double Axel, Moose Crossing, New Horizons Concert Band, Gabe Paladin, Ten Speed Taxi, String Soulstice, Holland Goddard, Dirty Red Bandana, Firefly, Stephanie & Rob, The Dad Bods, Sister Cinnamon, Contraband, Jacques Kuno, Worm Circus, Fall Island Punk Show, Sunflo’er, and 11B.

This year's festival will feature other fun family activities as well like a Touch a Truck event, the Firemen's Parade, a Bike to a Smoothie for kids, the annual Antique and Classic Car Show in Ives Park, the Potsdam Farmer's Market. Also planned is a Her-Petology lizard show, face painting, locomotive train rides, story time and an ice cream social.

"There will be laser tag again this year," the director said. "And the fireworks show is amazing."

"And we have 16 food trucks this year which is more than last year," said Flack.

"I think this is going to be the biggest and the best Summerfest yet. There is going to be something for everyone," said  Flack. "This is going to the best of Potsdam."

See this week's calendar or our special section in this edition for more details and times on each event that is planned.