GALLERY: The historic Gaffer District fills with food, families, music, and more
Photojournal By Janie L. Ferguson
It was a pleasant late summer weekend in the “Crystal City” of Corning, NY for their two-day Harvest Festival Event on September 18th & 19th hosted by the Gaffer District. They close off historic Market St. to traffic, as well as some of the side streets for this fun time each year. There were more people there than I’ve ever seen before on Saturday when we visited. With nearby parking filled up there were many that walked a good distance to get there to enjoy the craft/art vendors, live entertainment, delicious food, family activities, and horse drawn wagon rides, too. Crowds gathered close together as we walked along.
Horse drawn wagon riders were provided by ‘Hemlock Hidden Hames’ for all to enjoy. A good crowd came out to enjoy the day’s events as we gathered close together in The Gaffer District for the Corning Harvest Festival.
Police Officers Frisbee & Gonzolaz were patrolling there, too. Thank you for protecting us and these events, too.
Pat Kane and West O’Clare entertained many at Centerway Square with a Dolly Parton song of “Coat of Many Colors. Entertaining merrily Saturday together were Kelly Snedeker on the keyboard from Lindley, Pat Kane playing fiddle from Painted Post, Ken Vanettan banjo from Gibson, and on the drums was Phil Smalley from Hornby. From his biography on their website it says, “Pat is a seasoned showman, being a singer, dancer, actor and instrumentalist since childhood. On his farm in the hill country of the Canisteo River, he was raised in the traditions of the Grange and of his Irish family. Pat’s cousins still run the family farm in West Clare, Ireland, which Pat visits often. Hence, the name of his company, West O’Clare.”
Kelly Snedaker on the keyboard, Pat Kane fiddle & Ken Vanettan banjo, and on the drums from Hornby is Phil Smalley. Pat Kane & West O’Clare entertained a good crowd at Centerway Square with many tunes Irish & country alike, including a Dolly Parton song “Coat of Many Colors.”
The crowd enjoyed Pat Kane & West O’Clare as they relaxed at Centerway Square, on this lovely day.
Bridget Bossart van Otterloo, who is a local artist, guided a relaxing Harvest Plein Air (French for outdoors) Watercolor Class where others could join in to capture the beauty of the beginning of fall near Market St. where vibrant colors were an inspiration in downtown Corning. She taught participants sketching and painting techniques while helping each student create their own unique masterpiece. All supplies were included for the $15 price on Pine & Market Street across from Centerway Square. She had a full class as they intently followed her lead to complete their paintings.
Bridget Bossart van Otterloo, local artist, at her relaxing Outdoor Watercolor Workshop with those who participated, too.
My daughter Anna and I saw a special, young couple right away, Esther Jacobson & Sam Walzak who were there enjoying the festivities, as we strolled down the street. Esther just happens to be family as she is my son-in-law’s sister, and Aunt Esther to my youngest grandchildren, too.
Esther Jacobson & Sam Walzak enjoying their time together. She works at ‘Heathered Grey” on Market St. and for the City of Corning in the assessors office, too.
Ester explains why she loves this festival, “I have been to the Corning Harvest Fest a few times over the past couple of years and it is something I look forward to. I enjoy coming out to local community events, like Harvest Fest, to help support the local community, as well as the vendors that come in from various places. My favorite thing about fall in Corning is when the leaves on Market Street start to change and the street is filled with bright yellow leaves, and they’ve just started to change and bring that special look and feeling to the street. The overall energy of the festival has been great, it’s great to see so many people on the street enjoying the event and all that the vendors and local businesses have to offer. I had to stop by Cafe Comodo for a fall drink, they have a CiderChai that is new, but already it is a favorite of mine! Being in our area, we have lots of local produce options that can bring so much to the table, but I always enjoy the apples that we’re able to get throughout the season. Apple crisp is a family favorite, and if I’m up for some extra time in the kitchen, apple dumplings are a special treat that don’t disappoint. The harvest season to me is special, it always feels like a time for change, for slowing down, and for spending time with family and friends, especially at local events like Harvest Fest.”
At the east end of Market St. you may visit Market St. Antiques & Collectibles with a display of Dolly Parton out front. Elizabeth Ruter May (Liz) has a booth here, along with others, and she says, “I was planning on doing a different theme of a scarecrow for the Harvest Festival, but shortly after Dolly passed, it seemed fitting to create a homage to her. Her music spans generations. I remember watching her on ‘Hee Haw’ at my grandparents home. To say that I’ve listened to her music with my grandparents, parents, siblings, and children shows how her music has stood the test of time for me and my family, as well.”
What a delight to hear her memories and see their photos of the display of our country legend and grand lady Dolly Parton. Thank you, Dolly, for all you have given to so many through the years. You will be greatly missed.
Left ~ L-R: Amber Bahantka, “Dolly” Elizabeth May (Liz), Annie Kroener & Diane Terwiliger. Photo credit Sam Kroener. Right: Liz carries Dolly home. I said, “I’ll bet you even put her all together, too.” She said, “Yasss!! With mucho help from Ava May, my daughter, Stephanie GryskaMarsh, & my sister Melanie Ruter Jones.” Photo credit Amber Bahantka.
What a fun filled day for all who came out to The Gaffer District in Corning, NY for their annual two-day Harvest Festival. Corning has been hosting it for many years now. Thank you to all of those involved in coordinating and participating in making this event possible for all of us locals and for those far and wide that come here to enjoy it, too.
Children and adults alike stopped at the many displays around town to get their pictures taken, together, too. See the gallery of the event for more photos, too.
