VILLAGE OF FAYETTEVILLE – Set to ring in the summer on June 16, the Village of Fayetteville’s first Party in the Plaza of the year was canceled the day of due to heavy rain. The following month the event went on as planned, but it fell on a day with temperatures in the upper 80s.
When it returned last week for its third and final installment of the season, however, the sunny, 75-degree weather was considered by many to be ideal.
Fayetteville Mayor Mark Olson said the Thursday night festivities have motivated people to enter local shops, support local restaurants and altogether have an enjoyable night out accompanied by music.
Olson said the free-admission event has also allowed attendees to appreciate the sidewalk, curbing and lighting work completed in Limestone Plaza.
“We’ve tried to enhance Limestone Plaza, so we’re proud of everything we’ve done down here,” he said the evening of the Aug. 18 party, which ran from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
If they weren’t dining out at Avicolli’s Coal Fire or Kyoko’s Japanese Restaurant, visitors could be seen strolling down Brooklea Drive with friends and stopping into places like Encore Thrift Shop and Doyle’s Books, both of which stayed open past their usual hours.
Stands lining the street were overseen by entities like Geddes Federal Savings & Loan Association and different political committees.
With its hanging replica of a globe, environmental group Sustainable Manlius made its first appearance at a public event since its late April Earth Fest in order to promote energy efficiency initiatives, safer streets, bike lanes connected to the area parks system, electric vehicle sales, and limitations on the generation of pollution.
Nearby a Manlius resident who serves as an independent consultant for Illinois-based company Pampered Chef shared tips for the kitchen and “easy-to-follow” recipes.
Her pantry line includes seasonings, mixes for brownies and caramel latte bread, and “enrichables” to supplement meals and beverages with tablespoon-sized scoops of nutritious kale and fiber.
The party’s musical entertainment until dark was Funky Jazz Band, an ensemble that plays covers of compositions that contain the space for melodic improvisation, including tracks from the likes of Herbie Hancock, Joe Sample and David Sanborn.
The band’s drummer, Dave Hanlon, said it was a “thrill” to perform again after the pandemic.
“It’s a treat to be asked to play here and see familiar faces,” Hanlon said. “We’re very happy to have the opportunity to play for these people.”
Throughout the night, attendees looking for something to eat on the spot could wander over to the food trucks to rely on Bob Barkers Famous Hotdogs and Coneys, Cafe Jarosz Catering for dishes like margherita paninis and chicken riggies, or The Birdsong Cafe for crepes, Liege waffles, smoothies and bubble lemonades.