Above: A patriotic parader gets the sweet seat at Jefferson's Heritage Day. Photo from the event's Facebook page.
If last week's Fourth festivities left you still hungry for parades, fairs and fireworks, fear not. This weekend will feature a couple of fun community festivals, packed with Catskills-style small-town spirit.
ATHENS
Athens is eager to welcome all good souls to this weekend’s Athens Street Festival. Over 150 vendors will be offering their best, from barbecue, gyros, kettle corn and other street yummies to specialty items and crafts of all sorts. Three stages will be vibrating with rock, country, Motown, and jazz -- even an accordion and a barbershop quartet, not to mention magic and ventriloquism. They’ll have carnival rides and a gleaming array of classic and antique autos.
Tours of the Athens Lighthouse will be offered from noon to 3pm. The Demonstration Area will educate you about martial arts, Zumba, cooking, dancing, and even wood turning, courtesy of someone named Adirondack Jack. Come for the parade (it starts at 11am) and stay for the fireworks at 9:45pm. It’s all happening on Saturday July 13, from 10am until the Grand Finale lights up the skies.
JEFFERSON
Bring the family (and/or the friends) on down to the Village Green in Jefferson for Heritage Day, and wear your dancin’ shoes. The live music under the big tent will offer the grownups a chance to shake it out, while the kids will relish the games, races and Soapbox Derby planned especially for them. Core organizations -- including the Masons, the Fire Department and Jefferson's Maple Museum -- will welcome visitors to special displays.
A parade through town steps off at 11am. Afterward, take a wagon ride, marvel at a magician, or douse a good-humored local notable in the Dunk Tank, then place your bids on the Silent Auction and rustle up some great edibles from any of a variety of vendors. You’ll also be able to purchase locally made honey, cheese, jam, bread and yogurt to take home and enjoy. Did we mention the pie and jam contest?
Fun on the Green starts at 8am on Saturday, July 13; the festival will run until 11pm.
