Mmmm. The opportunity to eat bloomin’ onions, beef on weck, ice cream and all the other treats we allow ourselves on “special” days. That is what summer festivals are all about – along with seeing friends and family, listening to entertainment, browsing the craft booths, playing games and watching parades.
I live in LeRoy, and the Oatka Festival is held the first teen weekend in July. (That’s July 13& 14th this year. Yes, I have to figure it out every year.) For us, the festival offers a chance to have a porch party and watch the parade. (Although, sometimes the parade comes to us.) I remember one year, during a break, the pioneer ladies from the parade took a quick tour of our front garden. That is the charm of a small town.
After the parade we walk down to mingle with visitors and locals alike. I’ve heard some wonderful musicians, laughed at the children’s’ games and tried my hand at dunking some of the local dignitaries in the dunk tank. It’s always a surprise to see what they offer at the craft booths. You can pick up everything from carved items to jewelry. And of course, places like the Jell-O Museum are selling the perfect souvenir t-shirt that you wouldn’t find anywhere else.
They usually end our festival on Sunday with a duck derby. Now before you get too excited, no real ducks are harmed in this endeavor. The Vietnam Veterans have a huge bag of yellow rubber ducks. You buy a duck to support our veterans. The ducks are then dumped into Oatka Creek, and the firemen use sprays of water to force the ducks to the opposite bank. First one to the bank wins. Of course, there are prizes, but the fun is in the contest.
It seems we look for any reason for a festival here in Genesee County. Let’s see, Elba celebrates onions with the Onion Festival, Kingdom Bound rocks Darien Lake Amusement Park with Christian music, artists and musicians unite for the Ramble Music and Art Festival. There’s a carnival wrapped around giving away a Corvette. Okay, really it’s to support the Stafford Fire Department, but I keep trying to win that car!
And in July, we have the Genesee County Fair. If you’ve never been to a fair, I highly recommend the experience. They offer so many activities, rides, food, entertainment, exhibits, livestock sales…. well, I have to admit, I forced my husband to leave that barn. I just couldn’t face the cute baby lamb knowing she was going up on the auction block. (This from a farm girl.) Anyway, there are plenty of animals to see, contests to judge and races to watch.
So, jump right into the food, fun and festivals of Genesee County. For a list of these and other festivals, go to: www.geneseecalendar.com
Stafford Carnival
June 13-16th
Ramble Music & Arts Festival
July 6th
Taste of Stafford
July 11th
Oatka Festival
July 13 & 14th
Genesee County Fair
July 15-20th
Kingdom Bound
Aug 1-4th
Summer in the City
August 17th
~Dawn
