Fairport Canal Days Festival June 2021

It’s summer and my sister was visiting with her son from out of town. We had not seen each other since before the pandemic 2020. With four deaths from COVID-19 within our family, we were grateful to spend a few days together to create new memories.

Vaccinations have opened the possibilities of outdoor events, activities, and other group venues. We decided to attend the Fairport Canal Days in Upstate NY. My daughter and her kids joined us to explore this annual outdoor festival which was cancelled last year (2020).

We arrived in two cars and walked together to the festival located by the Erie Canal in Fairport, NY. There were quite a few of people. More than I expected but not too crowded as to feel uncomfortable.

It was a beautiful, blue sky blustery day! The breeze was so strong at times that different venues in their tents shook like in an earthquake. While I was looking at T-shirts on the table under a canvas tarp, everything shook: the tables, the poles holding the tarp vibrated, and a few T-shirts were blown off the table. “Wind quake”, I shouted, once I realized it was the wind and not an actual earthquake. I experienced “wind quakes” throughout the day.

It was also extremely hot! I felt feverish with heat within my body, not to mention, on the skin outside as well! I bought lemon ice to cool off which refreshed me both inside and out. My mouth had a party with the lemony sensation of the delicious cold lemon ice. Ahhhhhh! My lips made noises as I savored the sweet and tartness of the lemon ice while at the same time my tongue was blanketed with the coolness of it. Mmmm! As it melted, the cool liquid soothed my throat’s dryness. I was in heaven!

My family group was curious and wanted to rush ahead. I was taking my sweet time drinking in the scene with the people, sounds, and artisan things. I was willing to take it slow and steady. With restrictions, it had been a while since I able to soak in all that my amazing city has to offer. For a couple of hours, I was ready to see whatever I could without rushing, saving my energy, and just enjoy it.

While walking around, I was looking for artistic venues. I love looking at art pieces to see how artists used strokes and techniques to get the effect they want to communicate. Then I saw it… a painting that spoke to me!

There’s a man in a raincoat walking down a lonely path with white birch trees on the left and dark pine trees on the right. The man is strolling down the path with his back to us. Immediately I noticed the contrast of white and black. The path in the middle is like a border between light and darkness. I spoke with the artist Jeff Lindgren that the painting made me think about how we walk a thin line between the light and darkness found inside of us. That each of us are made up of both.

Jeff commented that I had a good eye for art and that not many people have talked about the contrast of light and darkness in his painting. He got the idea for the painting when he saw a picture at a priest’s office. It was taken at Mendon Lake, NY many years ago. The artist asked permission to paint the scene. Jeff added the white birch trees to give the contrast he was looking for. I was mesmerized with the thought of walking through Life’s balancing act between dark and light scenarios in Life.

Long story short, I ended up buying the smaller version (10” x 14”). I wanted to share its message with others. The artist gave me permission to speak about his painting on my blog. By the way, have I mentioned that I love to paint? The Fine Arts and crafts have been a big influence in my life.

I met a few other vendors at this festival. Deborah A. Benedetto and her venue “Contemporary Pottery” was the vendor I met right after I had the conversation with the artist Jeff Lindgren.

 I looked around for my family and saw them at another venue down the street nearby. Knowing their whereabouts, I lingered behind to see the pieces of pottery that Deborah had made. Her pottery caught my eye because of the colors and style she used to paint her ceramics.

I bought a ceramic toothpick holder. Its colors reminded me of a miniature mug I bought on a trip I made to Flagstaff, AZ years ago. I love the colors of the desert and the souvenir mug from long ago. We got to talk about the popularity of her pottery and my admiration for her art.

Another venue I found was BFF Crafts across from the pottery canvas tarp. It was amazing to look at because they create 3D art by folding pages in books. When you look at them from the side, you can see the design incrusted by the many folds of the pages.

Next door to BFF Crafts, there was a cigar venue with all kinds of cigars – long ones, short ones, local and international brands – in different colorful packaging. I walked over to see if there were any cigars packaged like the one, I got for Dad. It was my first birthday gift I bought for him when I was ten years old back in 1970. I shared the story with the owner of the cigar booth. He liked the story and thanked me for sharing it.

I caught up with my family group and we ate hot dogs with smoothies. Then we went to see a few more venues.

A booth dedicated to macramé items reminded me of my own macramé crafts I made back in college – plant hangers, towel holders, Christmas wreaths, candy canes, etc.

While walking past the macramé, something caught my eye again… This time…Cats!

Jes Designz belongs to a young artist. She had many cat designs made in a variety of digital styles. I bought a graphic art note card of a cat from her. Jes Designz was awesome!

Then I had a conversation with a teacher whose venue was next to Jes Designz and her art consisted of colored crystals used in making pictures of different framed scenes. While talking to her, another wind quake hit, and the tarp almost flipped over. I asked her how she was dealing with COVID in the schools. Her concern about COVID-19 is that as a speech therapist, her job and masks don’t mix well. But she insisted that even if masks are not required, she will continue to use a face shield for the protection of the children and herself.

My family and I met up to go home. It had been a great day for me! I love how art can evoke memories and emotions. How it connects us when we share our stories is always a plus! I am forever grateful for having attended the Fairport Canal Days Festival with my family and create new memories to share.

New memories for my puzzle journey (read more about my journey: (About Me, Welcome to My Blog!, Why Read My Blog?). Lately I have been focused on my childhood and events from years ago. It’s good to write about the present, and this wonderful place called Rochester, my new home. My journey covers past, present, and future. So maybe I should think about how this journey will continue into the future. But that is a story for another day!

What new memories are you creating with your family this summer of 2021? It would be great to hear from you below!