If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, look no further than Clay Central Park.
From 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 21, at the park on Wetzel Road, the town will host its fourth annual Clay Community Festival. The event includes a variety of family-friendly activities, including a bounce house, disc golf demonstrations, a talent show and more.
The town’s parks and recreation department started the festival in 2010 at the request of Supervisor Damian Ulatowski, who had seen similar events in Cicero and North Syracuse and wanted to launch one in Clay. Parks Director Wayne Morris was eager to comply.
“To me, doing these kinds of things offers families a chance to get together and go out and have fun as a family,” Morris said. “It’s another opportunity to get the family in the car and go do something together.”
This year, the festival will kick off with the first-annual Zero Prostate Cancer Run/Walk, which includes a 5K run/walk for adults, a one-mile fun walk and a couple of events for kids, including the Dash for Dad. The event is sponsored by Associated Medical Professionals and aims to raise awareness about prostate cancer, as well as fundraise for research into the disease.
Morris said the organizers of the race contacted him and asked if the town would be willing to host the event.
“We’ve never done a road race before,” Morris said. “But it seemed to fit with the festival. It’s obviously a good cause.”
The race will start at 9 a.m.
After the race, the usual festivities will be available to participants:
Classic car and bike show
The ever-popular Penny Carnival for kids
Talent show
Disc golf demonstration
Petting zoo
Child ID cards from the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department
Equipment and safety demonstrations from the Clay Fire Department
Public education booth on boating safety from the U.S. Coast Guard
Information and demos from NOVA Ambulance
Information, books and old photos from the town historian
Demos from the Syracuse Silver Knights soccer team
Bounce house
Food available from area vendors
In addition, new this year is an art show featuring works by members of the North Syracuse Art Guild, as well as the town’s senior watercolor class. Morris said he hopes to see that grow in the coming years.
“We’re trying to add things every year to make it more fun for people and families,” he said. “It’s a good way to spend a Saturday. And it’s free.”
