What do you get when you mix a beautiful day, some incredible food and great music, with an artsy component thrown into the mix?
Troy’s River Fest – that’s what.
For more than a decade, this staple of the Troy event season has drawn thousands of festival and music lovers alike to the Collar City.
Traditionally held the day before Father’s Day, Troy River Fest offers an eclectic mix of art, crafts, food and music, while bringing in a mixed demographic of both young and old to enjoy all Troy has to offer.
The 12th Annual River Street Art’s Festival is returning to its artistic roots with the help of local artists.
Re-branded as the Troy River Fest, the festival is placing key emphasis on locally crafted hand-made goods, and local cuisine –all located throughout the scenic, historic Downtown District.
While the streets will host craft, art, food vendors, and entertainment, each shop, restaurant and historic venue will have their own activities as well.
The Troy River Fest is an organic, grassroots fest, designed to mimic the flow of the Hudson by encouraging visitors to ramble throughout the streets of Downtown Troy.
The music component of the event has given visitors over the years a wide range of national recording artist of different musical genres including, Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, Los Straitjackets, They Would Be Giants, Paula Cole, Stroke 9, Naked Eye’s, Chris Barron (Spin Doctors), and Mike Doughty (Soul Coughing).
This year’s edition will feature on the Main Stage, Carl Daniels, Hard Soul, Troy Blues, and headliner, Albert Cummings.
Troy River Fest takes place on June 20, beginning at 11 a.m. For information visit downtowntroy.org, or call 279-7162.
Dad Fest
Put the tie down, and slowly walk away.
You know your father doesn’t want that. Instead, get him out of the house this Sunday, and hit up Albany’s Jennings Landing for Dad Fest.
The City of Albany presents Dad Fest, a brand new, free Father’s Day event to feature live music, food, vendors, games, competition, and a lot of fun for the whole family.
“We’ve been brainstorming event ideas for Father’s Day for a few years now,” said Jason Bonafide, public relations coordinator for Albany’s Office of Special Events and Cultural Affairs. “We’ve had Father’s Day events for a number of years, but this is a new take on it. And, it’s something we plan to build upon in the future.”
Entertainment includes live music from The Neanderthals, Eddie Angel’s Guitar Party, Super 400, and the WonderBeards.
For 67 years, the moms of the Capital District have held the spotlight at the Albany Tulip Festival, the famous Mothers Day weekend spectacular culminating in the crowning of Albany’s Mother of the Year. Generations of mothers have celebrated their special day at Tulip Festival.
“Personally, I’m quite excited about the double-headed headliner featuring The Neaderthals and Eddie Angels’ Guitar Party,” said Bonafide.
The fest runs along Albany’s Hudson Riverfront on Sunday, June 21 from 1 to 6 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, Dad Fest will be held at the Corning Preserve Boatlaunch.
For more information on Dad Fest and all of the City of Albany’s free, family-friendly events, visit www.albanyevents.org, 434-2032 or follow albanyNYevents on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Juneteenth
June 19th marks a special anniversary in the timelines of both American and African-American history.
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, and this year the event reaches its 150th anniversary. The day itself marks the specific date in which Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, TX with news that the American Civil War had ended. It’s of particular interest across the nation, as it signifies the release of the last known slaves in the country — more than two years after the passing of President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation into law.
Albany’s Washington Park will host the annual Juneteenth celebration, featuring a wide variety of family friendly entertainment, educational opportunities and food and beverages for sale on Sunday, June 14, from 1 to 6 p.m.
Stage entertainment includes performances by Out of the Box Jazz Band, East Coast Playaz and local gospel choirs, as well as poetry readings, a Sgt. Henry Johnson memorial program and a variety of children’s performers on the Kids Stage. Community and family activities will include a chess tournament, a Zumba class, a community discussion and a history treasure hunt.
Vito Ciccarelli is Troy’s Special Events Coordinator by day and WVCR radio disc jockey by night. He will share news on all the great events happening in Troy — the home of Uncle Sam.