JUST IN TIME FOR FATHER’S DAY
Averill Park annual Summerfest takes place this weekend
AVERILL PARK, N.Y.» The Sand Lake community is gearing up for its 25th annual Summerfest, a festival and fundraiser for all ages.
Summerfest will take place this Friday through Sunday at Butler Park, offering amusement rides, carnival food, a tennis tournament, craft vendors, a rock climbing wall, a Best Dad Ever contest, K-9 demonstrations with the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department and a Black Hawk helicopter, along with free live entertainment and fireworks.
Musical acts scheduled to perform this year are The Kyle Bourgault Band, The Protones, The Audiostars, the Averill Park High School Jazz Band and The Old Time Dance Band.
In previous years, this summertime event has attracted more than 15,000 attendees.
Presented by the Kiwanis Club of Sand Lake, Summerfest is the largest fundraiser for this local organization to support its community projects conducted during the year.
Kiwanis is an international, coeducational service club dedicated to changing the world one community and one child at a time. Rensselaer County has a total of seven Kiwanis Clubs, including the 68-yearold Sand Lake club.
Fundraising events like Summerfest help the group build operating funds for community projects, most of which aim to help kids. One of the Sand Lake club’s greatest beneficiaries is Albany Medical Center’s children’s hospital, to which it has donated thousands of dollars over the years. “The money that we raise goes to worthy causes to help young people,” said Kiwanian and Rensselaer County Legislator Robert Loveridge. “All the money we raise at this event, every single penny goes right back to the community.”
Summerfest is by far the local Kiwanis club’s biggest annual fundraiser. It’s been that way for 25 years,” Loveridge continued. “It’s sort of like a town wide party.”
The park will open around 4 p.m. on Friday, then around noon on Saturday and Sunday with festivities running in the afternoon and evening.
The Kyle Bourgault Band will kick off country night on the main stage at 7 p.m. on Friday. Saturday’s theme will be classic rock, with The Protones at 4 p.m and The Audiostars at 8 p.m. Later that night, a fireworks spectacle will light the sky at 9:40 p.m.
The Black Hawk helicopter is expected to touch down at 2 p.m. on Saturday, after which festival-goers can go check it out up close.
On Father’s Day, there will be a special third annual Best Dad Ever Contest for local families, with prizes donated by area business. Anyone can nominate their potential Best Dad Ever by filling out an entry form on SummerfestNewYork.com and writing in 50 words or less why their dad is the most magnificent dad on the planet. The categories include Best Dad, Handiest Dad, Tallest Dad and Best Beard and Mustache. The Kiwanis Club of Sand Lake will be awarding winners based on the entries and the number of votes they receive. Entrants can promote and share their photos via all major social networks. Tallest Dad and Best Beard and Mustache are judged on site.
“We did this a couple years in a row and it turned out to be very successful. It’s heartwarming to see the kids come and talk about their dads, why their dads are the best and why they love them,” Loveridge said. “It’s a great event.”
Sunday’s entertainment includes young talent in the Averill Park High School Jazz Band, and swing music by The Old Time Dance Band.
Throughout the festival, there will be carnival fare such as hot dogs, hamburgers and cotton candy, as well as a beverage tent for adults.
Area crafters will be on display and sell their goods during the event, too.
“It’s a fantastic event for families of all ages,” Loveridge said, hoping for a good turnout this weekend. “It’s a great family event.”
Activities will end at 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, then around 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Butler Park is located on Gettle Road, off of Route 43 in Averill Park. The festival will take place across the street from Averill Park High School, where event-goers can park their vehicles.
There is no charge for admission to Summerfest 2017.
More information about Summerfest in Sand Lake is available at SummerfestNewYork.com.