VILLAGE OF MANLIUS – The Village of Manlius hosted its first-ever Swan Fest amid clear skies and 75-degree weather on Sunday, Oct. 1.
Within the parking lot of the Village Centre on Arkie Albanese Ave. there was a super-sized swan float nicknamed Miss Sparkle along with a military truck show, a pair of local fire department vehicles for show, and multiple nonprofits and businesses with their own stands.
The Manlius Historical Society was there with old-fashioned traditional children’s toys like a wooden cup-and-ball and a Jacob’s ladder as well as lollipops and swan postcards to take for free. Nearby, members of the Manlius YMCA had a gaga pit, a wheel to spin for prizes, an opportunity to guess how many candy corn kernels were in a bin, and information on pickleball, tennis, and their health and wellness programs.
Across the way, there was a tent with bottled sand art, while elsewhere around the upper and lower swan ponds attendees could play cornhole, enjoy some barbecue, make chalk sketches and partake in either yoga, sing-alongs, a story time or coordinated dancing in front of the amphitheater.
Different businesses in the area, including SkyTop Coffee, HUNT Real Estate, Pavone’s Pizza and The Station 603, opened their doors and gave out raffle tickets to anyone who stopped into their physical locations. The winning name drawn received a collection of artwork depicting swans by local resident Mary Karpinski.
Village of Manlius Clerk-Treasurer Lisa Baker was involved in organizing the festival and getting the artists and vendors together to participate. She said she was glad it expanded into a village-wide event that highlighted local businesses by giving attendees their own mapped-out checklists of places to stop by.
“We’re just trying to get the community involved and get our businesses out there so people know about and can go to those places,” Baker said.
She added that everyone on the organizing side and everyone with stands “lucked out” with the weather, even though the backup option to use the hallways and auditorium of the Village Centre was ready to go if need be.
Mayor Paul Whorrall said the Swan Fest is a way to once again attach a positive connotation to swans as symbols of the village after the tragic slaying of Faye in May.
“We’re trying to bring the community together because it’s been a tough year,” Whorrall said. “If anything, this gives us closure on the swan incident, but the biggest thing is it’s a community event that brings people out.”
On East Seneca Street, craft beer destination and pizza parlor A.W. Wander held its first-ever Oktoberfest celebration to coincide with Swan Fest.
Co-owner of the bar Dan Chapman said the Bavarian-style block party will be a yearly occurrence and that he was happy with the turnout for it being the first one they’ve put together.
During the festival held inside their restaurant and on the side street next to it, an official state qualifier stein hoisting competition took place in partnership with Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers.
Down the street, the design agency Stay Fresh was posted up in front of Mrs. Kelder’s Cakes with shirts, stickers and other accessories while Cafe 119 sold half-moon cookies, fudge, cream puffs, pies, and pulled pork nachos.
