Holiday in Homer – Annual Arts & Crafts Festival

Art lovers, visit the Village Green in Homer, NY on Saturday, July 16th as they will come alive with the sights and sounds of “Holiday in Homer” as the annual Arts and Crafts Festival unfolds for the 30th year. This year’s event will feature over 100 vendor booths, continuous free entertainment, special activities for children, and a variety of fine foods and snacks and will take place from 9 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Festival Artists and Crafts
Homer Congregational Church, UCC sponsors this family-friendly event enjoyed by the entire community and many guests who return each year to shop, savor and visit with old friends. The festival will have new hours, running from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and promises to be bigger and better than ever with many new vendors and exciting new entertainment. Of course, many wonderful craftspeople will also be returning to offer the products that have been favorites with shoppers in the past. Some the new items will include: Stained Glass, Handmade Dolls and Doll Clothing, Pottery, unique Jewelry designs, Window Pane Quilted Clothing, Country and Primitive Crafts, Sun Hats, Childrens Capes and Tutus, Home Décor, Photography and Metal Art. Special Guest Artists will provide live demonstrations of their crafts, including: Nancy and Mike from Hilltop Pottery in Maine, NY; Ed Finkbeiner, a wood craftsman and boat builder who will show his hand- carved paddles and wooden spoons; Neil Riker who specializes in Quilling, and Glass Artist Peter Jeffers demonstrating glass blowing and design.

Entertainment
There will be activities for the whole family at Holiday in Homer. Homer native Boyd Chapman from

WSYR TV9 in Syracuse will again act as Master of Ceremonies for all the free entertainment at the Band Stand, including live music by The Homer Brass Ensemble, a puppet show, The Bubble Man, and The Brian Miles Band presenting three fabulous hours of golden oldies and rockabilly hits. Kids are especially invited to enjoy visiting “Dan The Snakeman” from 9 a.m. to 12:00, Mr. Bubble Man at 12:00. Excitement is already building as the Dunking Booth committee has recruited many local “celebrities” who will try to avoid making a cold splash as they sit in the hot seat.

Schedule

• 9:00 – 12:00 “Dan The Snakeman”
• 9:00 – 4:00 Quilt Show in the Congregational Church Sanctuary
• 9:00 – 4:00 Horse Drawn Wagon Rides by Crane’s Hollows End Stable (fee)
• 9:00 – 4:00 Dunking Booth (fee)

On the Band Stand and Green
Boyd Chapman, WSYR Channel 9, Master of Ceremonies

• 10:00 Homer Brass Ensemble Concert
• 11:00 The Catskill Puppet Theatre presents “Sister Rain, Brother Sun” – sponsored by the Homer Recreation Department 12:00 Introduction of Holiday in Homer Scholarship Winners Introduction of HCS Alumni – Class of 1961
• 12:00 “The Bubble Man” Doug Rougeux – “Bubbles, Juggles and Mime”
• 12:45 Holiday In Homer 30th Birthday Celebration sponsored by Frosted Bakery
• 1:00 – 4:00 The Brian Miles Band – rockabilly and oldies sponsored by Cinquanti Real Estate and Fingerlakes Construction Co., Inc.

Meals and Snacks
To tickle the taste buds, a variety of food and snacks will be available throughout the day beginning with a pancake breakfast or coffee and donuts at the United Methodist Church from 7:30 until 10:00. A complete luncheon will be offered at the Congregational Church from 11:30 until 1:00 featuring either Barbecued Pork on a Bun or a Deli Style Sandwich (choice of Ham, Turkey, or Beef with Cheese) accompanied by homemade Macaroni Salad, BBQ Baked Beans, Potato Chips, a Brownie, and Iced Tea or Lemonade to eat in the church hall or for take-out. Strawberry Shortcake and Purity ice cream will be available in front of the Congregational Church Memorial Garden all day and the Homer Elks will be returning this year with their popular hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage sandwiches and cold beverages. Other community organizations and vendors will offer homemade pies, frosty tropical fruit drinks, kettle corn, sno-cones and other treats and snacks.

Directions and Parking
The Homer Congregational Church and Village Green are located at 28 South Main Street (US Route 11) just north of I-81, exit 12. Parking will be available on-street as marked, in municipal lots, or you are invited to use the free continuous Park and Ride Shuttle Service provided by the Homer Recreation Department from parking lots at the Homer High School on West Road and the Intermediate School on Clinton Street. Handicap parking with permits will be available in the Key Bank lot on Main Street.