This past Saturday, Aug. 28, Clinton held its annual Art and Music Festival on the Village Green — the heart of the historic village. There was no shortage of activities, with the festival offering everything from a live auction to a corn hole tournament. Vendors from all over New York State came to sell their products, consisting of mostly homemade goods. Some of the most notable vendors included Dave’s Art Den, which sold tiny art trinkets to customers and Lilac Sun, a shop run by a 17-year-old from Rome, New York, that featured handmade jewelry, embroidery and macrame. The Tie Dye Teacher, a Clinton classic, also made a popular appearance at the festival, selling various tie-dyed apparel. Typically, the Tie Dye Teacher sells their apparel in the Clinton grilled cheese restaurant, The Compound, but thanks to the Festival, they were able to bring their tie-dyed shirts and hats to the bustling Village Green.
In addition to the amazing art vendors, the festival also featured a variety of talented musicians for customers to listen to while they shopped. One of these musicians was Jess Novak, who wowed the crowd with her beautiful vocals and guitar and violin abilities. Another performer, Isaac French, delighted the crowd with his original songs, accompanied by his acoustic guitar.
To prevent customers from growing hungry, the Festival featured an assortment of local food vendors. From the Grapevine, a New Hartford-based Greek restaurant that sold gyros, to La Bamba Mtz., a Canastota-based Mexican restaurant that specialized in empanadas, tamales, and quesadillas, festival visitors found themselves with a plethora of delicious options for lunch or dinner. Even the Cremeria Gelato Cart, a Hamilton favorite, made a much-welcomed appearance for those in need of a cold dessert.
This year’s festival attracted hundreds of people to gather in Clinton’s center for a much-needed feeling of community. Whether it was from enjoying arts and music or appreciating the local cuisines, the day brought a welcome sense of normalcy back. This is not the end of fun on the Clinton Village Green, however; the Clinton Farmer’s Market is in full swing on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Oct. 7. If you ever want to learn more about the local food and art scene in Clinton, be sure to make a visit here.
into the town. This is not the end of fun on the Clinton Village Green, however; the Clinton Farmer’s Market is in full swing on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until October 7. If you ever want to learn more about the local food and art scene in Clinton, be sure to make a visit here.
