GREENE – Whether it’s pottery, stained glass, folk art, candles, needlework, handmade soaps, clothing or jewelry you’re looking for, the odds are you’ll find it in downtown Greene this weekend during the 34th Annual Arts & Craft Festival.
The event, sponsored annually by the Greater Greene Chamber of Commerce (GGCC), will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and is free and open to the public.
GGCC’s Interim Co-Executive Directors Ruthie Koerts and Ellen Adams have been working diligently to plan the festival since May, when they assumed leadership of the organization.
According to Koerts, thousands of people come from all over New York for the day, which has become a tradition in Greene. This year, attendees will have the opportunity to peruse the wares of more than 180 vendors offering a wide variety of high quality, hand crafted items, she explained. On Saturday, these vendors, as well as some local non-profits, will be set up along Genesee Street between Franklin Street and Memorial Park.
The day will also include live musical performances in front of Moore Memorial Library, and visitors will have their choice of eating at one of Downtown Greene’s restaurants, or grabbing a quick bite at the food court near North Chenango Street.
As parking is limited in the downtown area, Koerts recommends festival-goers park at either the Greene Ball Flats or the Great American.
Koerts said she has her fingers crossed that Mother Nature cooperates on Saturday, and for good reason.
“If it’s a nice day, we get as many as 10,000 (visitors),” she explained. “A lot depends on the weather.”