By Barbara Arnstein
The 27th Annual Findley Lake Harvest Festival will take place on Labor Day weekend in Findley Lake, New York, which has the slogan “The coolest little town around”. The festival, run by Our Own Candle Company, could be called “the coolest festival around” because there will be an art show and lots of crafters, lots of music performances, and vendors of all kinds (the event promotes local businesses), along with a beer tent (featuring rotating brews throughout the weekend), and wine tasting. The cool activities for children will include face painting, games, chalk drawing, a magic show, a kids’ carnival and more.
The music lineup will include: on Friday, August 29th, from 5:30-8:30pm., Shady Side; and from 8:30-10:30, Heather & Denny. On Saturday, August 30th, from 11am-1pm, Jack Stevenson will perform; from 2-5pm, Juvenile Characteristics; and then from 6-9pm, Theory of Evolution, and finally Ange & Amy from 8:30-10:30pm. On Sunday, August 31st, Midnight Growlers will perform from noon-3pm, and finally Six Year Stretch from 4-7pm.
The entertainment will range from traditional folk music to contemporary dance routines. 
Juvenile Characteristics is a five-piece, Americana, Roots Rock band that performs a mix of originals and covers. “We’re headed back up to Findley Lake for the best damn festival around!”, they stated, adding “We look forward to this every year!” One of the coolest things about them is that in 2023, the band performed in Gobbler’s Knob, Pennsylvania, at the famous Groundhog Day ceremony celebrated in the movie “Groundhog Day”. Part of their performance of a song entitled “Wake Up, Phil!” (Phil is the groundhog’s name) was shown on Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show that year, on February 3rd.
The festival activities for the whole family will include pumpkin painting, corn mazes, apple picking, hayrides, a petting zoo, storytelling sessions and dance workshops. The arts and crafts available will include art pieces, pottery and jewelry. The delicious foods available will include corn on the cob, freshly baked pies, caramel apples, apple cider, homemade jams and preserves, organic cheese and artisanal bread.
Thanks to a grant, a shuttle service will be provided this year, conveniently bringing people to the festival from various parking areas throughout the town, and various types of food will be sold all throughout it. The Findley Lake Library Book Sale will take place in the Waterwheel. The festival is free, and it will take place on August 29th between 5-9pm, August 30th between 11am-10pm, and August 31st between 11am-7pm, at the corners of Route 426 and Route 430 in Findley Lake, NY, which has beautiful lake views, interesting shops and places to eat.