VILLAGE OF FAYETTEVILLE – Sustainable Manlius and Renewable Fayetteville held their 2023 Earth Fest at Canal Landing Park on Saturday, April 29.

With Kia of East Syracuse as the main sponsor, the joint effort of the two environmental committees gave residents from all around the area the chance to check out about 30 electric vehicles, including a brand new one brought in by Lucid Motors. Some of the cars in the EV row could be test driven, and there was a vote for best in show.

Lasting from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the third annual festival was also a way for various nonprofits to get their messages across with regard to a range of topics, and every tented booth gave away raffle tickets to enter for the roughly $800 worth of prizes secured for the event.

Among the stands there was one focused on gathering further feedback for the Town of Manlius’ comprehensive plan and a pop-up boutique with gently used clothing overseen by the Syracuse chapter of the Philanthropic Educational Organization International, a group that supports the advancement of women through scholarship opportunities.

Also at the event was the Eastern Farm Workers Association, an all-volunteer organization that runs food drives, puts together heat wave survival kits and calls for utility companies to adopt sustainable energy practices. Nearby in the park the Town of Manlius Recreation Department handed out scavenger hunt maps, coloring books and bookmarks while goods such as honey and avocado salsa dip were sold by local businesses.

The day’s live musical performances were courtesy of Josh Ludden and Irv Lyons Jr. & The Long Weight Trio, and Melt and Big Awesome BBQ brought in their food trucks. Attendees could also step onto a fully electric bus that made trips from Limestone Plaza to Towne Center and back.

“Everyone I talked to has been ecstatic about doing this event,” said Fayetteville Trustee Mark Matt, the chair of Renewable Fayetteville. “For us in the village, this is a lot of what we’re all about.”

Matt said a task of his was to make sure the nearby businesses’ parking situations were respected as places for their paying customers and not as overflow lots for Earth Fest.

Festival attendees were also encouraged to take part in a bike-or-hike challenge starting from Ryder Park in East Syracuse to limit traffic and cut down on parking concerns.

Though May 13 was scheduled as the rain date just in case, Craig Polhamus, the chair of both Earth Fest and Fayetteville’s historic preservation commission, said he was glad the inclement weather mostly held off through the late morning and early afternoon aside from a bit of wind and a patchy drizzle incapable of “dampening his spirits.”

The first Earth Fest in April 2021 was rolled out remotely with five weekly Zoom sessions revolving around themes like rooftop solar and heat pumps, and each of those webinars would open with a guest spot from a musician.

The festival last spring was held in person at the Fayetteville Free Library on Orchard Street with live music and the debut unveiling of an EV row.

“We get better at it every year,” said Manlius Town Councilor Katelyn Kriesel, the chair of Sustainable Manlius. “It’s a lot of work, but the volunteers did awesome.”

Kriesel said having the Manlius and Fayetteville environmental groups work together to organize the event this time made it easier to plan and promote.

“It’s cool to see everyone collaborate,” she said. “With more people that are involved it just works better.”

Polhamus said having the event in Canal Landing Park showed how that site can be an “integral part of what Fayetteville has to offer” while acquainting people with amenities like its playground.

Olson said such an influx of people to Canal Landing—a former transportation department brownfield that connects to the Empire State Trail system—acts as an opportunity to showcase the mural painted on the side exterior of the Freedom of Espresso coffee shop by local artist Mark Noble as well.

“When we built this park, this is what we wanted to do…we wanted to have events like this,” Olson said. “It’s exciting to be here, and it’s exciting to be part of it.”

Matt said he looks forward to doing it all again and making the event even bigger next year.