OGDENSBURG — Crafters, wine sellers, jewelry makers and a variety of other artisans filled Lockwood Center over the weekend to help kick off the nine-day 57th Annual Ogdensburg International Seaway Festival.
“It’s really like a homecoming,” said Christopher Cole, head festival chairman. “Next weekend is bigger, when we have the parade and fireworks.”
The festival runs through July 31, with different events scheduled each day. Carnival rides run from Wednesday through Saturday in Greenbelt Park. The full schedule can be viewed at ogdensburgseawayfestival.org.
Each summer, many people who grew up in the Ogdensburg area return to their roots during the festival to reunite with family members and childhood friends.
On Saturday and Sunday, several people headed to the arts, craft and wine show. Others gathered Sunday at the Frederic Remington Art Museum for a wild west barbecue, petting zoo, outdoor games and more. In the evening, area high school bands competed in the Battle of the High School Band show.
Vicki Bruyer, Ogdensburg, was among several who stopped at the craft show to purchase a cheesecake on a stick from Kim Sherman of Clayton. Her booth offered three types of topping: cherry, chocolate and blue raspberry. Early in the day, her top seller was the turtle: a cheesecake dipped in chocolate, caramel and pecans.
“It’s one of those guilty pleasures,” Mrs. Bruyer said. “I’ll eat it a little at a time. I might share it with my husband.”
Michelle M. Morrison, craft show coordinator, said there were about 42 vendors this year, which was down a bit from prior years.
“We lost some vendors who went to Waddington,” Mrs. Morrison said, referring to the outdoor expo at the Bassmasters Elite competition.
Attendance was steady at the craft fair, but she said it’s grown increasingly difficult to draw younger people who are accustomed to doing a lot of shopping online.
“We’re not getting the 20- and 30-year-olds and I don’t know how to change that,” Mrs. Morrison said.
Steve Brooks, Hammond, said he was selling many vegetables from his booth. His offerings included snap peas, onions, carrots, cucumbers, potatoes, cabbage, garlic and squash.
“I sell a lot of vegetables here,” he said. “I also accept WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) checks.”
Mr. Cole said Saturday’s beautiful weather drew 20 competitors to the Frederic Remington Canoe-Kayak Race on the Oswegatchie River. About 25 kids participated in the children’s fishing derby in Greenbelt Park, catching bass, perch and pike. The top six winners received bicycles. Toys and other prizes were also awarded.
“A 4-year-old pulled out a Northern pike with a Snoopy fishing pole,” Mr. Cole said. “I think the fish was bigger than he was.”
Organizers decided to cancel the annual duck race this year because the current in the St. Lawrence River has been strong and there’s a great deal of debris in the area where the race is usually held.
Although the city of Ogdensburg eliminated the $7,000 it traditionally provides to cover the cost of the fireworks,
However, Mr. Cole said enough corporate sponsors contributed funds to pick up those costs. The fireworks will be 10 p.m. Friday in the Greenbelt Park. Prior to the fireworks, J&D Band will perform at Main Stage Library Park.
Mr. Cole said community members and visitors can also do a great deal to support the festival by purchasing festival buttons for $2 a piece. Those who purchase one of the 10 specially-marked buttons will each win $50.