By Darlene Brace
If you ride about fifteen miles west of Jamestown, you will find Panama Rocks Scenic Park at 11 Rock Hill Road in Panama, NY. This park is known for its enormous rocks and hiking trails. If you venture out there the first weekend of October, you will find that they are having their third annual Panama Rocks Foliage Festival on October 5th-6th from 10am-5pm. Admission to the Foliage Festival and street parking are free, but parking in the field lot is $5 per vehicle. The rock area hiking trails and axe throwing are still available at their usual admission prices.
This year they will be having over seventy art and craft vendors. You can browse through a variety of artisan vendors selling artworks, seasonal and home decor, candles, jewelry, clothing, accessories, and much more. There is also a farmers’ market loaded with seasonal items.
One of the fun features of this festival is watching some of the unique demonstrations that they have included. You can observe chainsaw carvings with Lisa Barr, as she creates unique works of art. Blacksmithing will be demonstrated by John Stow, and there will be a glass blowing demonstration by Grant Robinson. Paul Jackino will be there with his rocket stove, and there will be quilting demonstration by the Harmony Historic Society. These demonstrations are ongoing throughout the festival, and they are informative yet entertaining for everyone that attends them.
There will be live music to entertain the crowd on both Saturday and Sunday. The talented duo, Davis & Eng will perform their unique style of tunes at 10:30am and then again at 3pm both days. Drew & Lena will also perform on Saturday at 12:30pm. On Sunday afternoon, another talented duo called SON will perform their bluesy rock renditions of familiar tunes.
There are going to be plenty of choices when you and your group have worked up an appetite. The Lab Press Co. will have some of their favorite soups and sandwiches. Ramsey’s Food Truck will be serving cheese steaks, sausage, fries, and funnel cakes. The Best of Buffalo by Byron will serve WNY favorites like wings, beef on wick and more. CamaradERIE BBQ will be tempting you with their delicious BBQ.
If you are hoping to find some treats for you and your family, you will find a nice assortment at this festival. Included will be taffy and candy apples by Fowler’s, ice cream by Everyday’s a Sundae, baked goods by Killa Kookies &Kream, and a variety of fudges by Wow Fudge. There will also be vendors selling specialty items like cheese from Eden Valley Creamery, Italian ice by Gelati’s Italian Ice, sauces from Burning Asphalt, and honey from the Panama Bee Farm.
Are you ready to get into the Halloween spirit? If so, then figure out what this year’s costume will be and join the fun for what is probably the first costume contest of the season. The contests will take place on both days. The children’s contest is for anyone 12 yrs. old and younger and will take place on the Main Stage at 2:15pm. Anyone 13yrs. and older can take part in the adult costume contest at 2:30pm. The winners will receive their choice of a 2025 Season Pass or a Panama Rocks t-shirt. (If you plan to hike, please dress accordingly.) Children can continue with the Halloween spirit by going trick or treating from vendor to vendor. Also, for children, there will be face painting, make your own stuffed animal, and horse drawn wagon rides (11am-3pm, weather permitting)
If you would like more information about the Panama Rocks Scenic Park, their Foliage Festival, or any other details, you can look at their Facebook page, go to panamarocks.com, or call
716-703-0021.
This is a great community event celebrating fall in Western New York as well as the beginning of the Halloween season. Come check it out and see all the great vendors, listen to the live music, and eat some delicious food and treats. After all, that’s what festivals are all about.