By Darlene Brace
It’s once again time for the annual Findley Lake Harvest Festival. Findley Lake is a small hamlet located about twenty miles west of Bemus Point, and it is known for hosting amazing festivals throughout the year. This year’s Harvest Festival will take place near the corners of Rt. 426 and Rt. 430 from September 4th to September 6th. A section of Main Street will be closed off for the festival, which will stretch from Alexander’s on the Lake Restaurant to Our Own Candle Company. This free community event features plenty of live music, delicious food, vendors, and fun activities for the whole family.
The festival’s music kicks off on Friday with an Erie-based band called Shady Side. They will perform on the Main Stage in the Our Own Candle Company parking lot. They will play acoustic classic rock covers from artists such as The Beatles, John Mellencamp, and Tom Petty from 5:30-8:30pm. In this area, adults will also find a beer tent set up with a variety of beer to enjoy.
After enjoying a cold beer while listening to Shady Side, you might want to explore more live music by taking a short walk to Alexander’s on the Lake. Another Erie-based band, V Band, will be performing from 8-11pm. You can enjoy their amazing music while savoring fabulous food from Alexander’s menu, which features tasty appetizers, wings, sandwiches, burgers, and more.
On Saturday, Jack Stevenson will entertain the crowd at the Main Stage from 11am-1pm. Then Shani Bills will perform from 1-4pm at the Gazebo Stage. She will be showcasing her guitar and keyboard talent with a variety of songs across multiple genres and generations. Back at the Main Stage, Duke Sherman will play his rockin’ blues from 2-5pm. Later, multi-genre band Theory of Evolution will perform on the Main Stage from 6-9pm. Alexander’s on the Lake will again offer the entertainment in the later evening from 8pm to 11pm, featuring the Latin jazz, rock, salsa, and merengue stylings of the band Mambo.
On Sunday, all festival activities will continue in full swing. Live music will be featured on the Main Stage, starting with Savage Daughter performing from 12-3pm. This trio of sisters will enchant the audience with their beautiful melodic harmonies, heartfelt lyrics, and powerful vocal blends. As the festival begins to wind down, you can enjoy the music of Six-Year Stretch from 4-7pm. This band primarily showcases original songs creating their own alternative rock sound.
Additionally, a variety of vendors will be set up throughout the festival area on Main Street. Wineries and distilleries from near and far will have tasting booths where you can sample delicious wines. There will also be food vendors offering typical festival fare, as well as some scrumptious sweet treats. Local artisans will also be set up, selling a variety of products, including candles, home décor, jewelry, accessories, T-shirts, and much more.
There are plenty of activities for children at the Family Fun Zone, located in the Findley Lake Fire Hall. The Fun Zone will feature a range of activities, including a petting zoo, face painting, a magician, and arts and crafts. Kids can also enjoy an inflatable obstacle course and balloon art, with activities scheduled throughout the weekend.
The Findley Lake Harvest Festival runs Friday from 5-9pm, Saturday from 10am-8pm, and Sunday from 10am-7pm. There is free parking near the festival area in town, and there will be a shuttle bus service that will take you from the parking areas to the festival. For more information, go to visitfindleylake.com.
You and your family should join the Findley Lake community for this fun festival. A few blocks of Main Street will be closed off to create a safe and welcoming atmosphere. There are enjoyable activities for people of all ages, along with amazing live music by the scenic banks of Findley Lake. You’ll have a weekend filled with fun. Although Findley Lake may be small, it is big on fun community events like the Findley Lake Harvest Festival.