NORTH SYRACUSE — After being sidelined by COVID for two years, the North Syracuse Family Festival is back and is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a new location: Centerville Place, near the North Syracuse Community Center.
“If we’re going to make changes, now’s the time to try them,” said Tony Burkinshaw, director of parks and recreation for the village of North Syracuse.
Centerville Place — a small cut-through street between South Bay Road and Main Street — seemed like the logical choice for relocation. Previously, the festival took place at Lonergan Park and even spent a couple of years at The Gathering Place.
“Centerville Place is in the heart of the village. We’re trying to promote more walkability for village residents,” Burkinshaw.
Accessible parking will be available for those with disabilities, but residents are encouraged to use the network of sidewalks in the village. Over the last several years, North Syracuse has made many improvements to sidewalks and pedestrian crossings. Burkinshaw said he hopes the festival will generate foot traffic for local businesses as well.
“We’re going to provide picnic tables for people to sit and get off their feet,” he added.
Festivalgoers will be able to browse wares from more than 30 vendors and feast on offerings from five food vendors. The festival also will feature raffles, door prizes, a classic car show and live music by Just Joe.
“His style of music and his variety of music will hit pretty much everybody we’re trying to target,” Burkinshaw said.
While admission to the festival remains free, a $5 wristband for the little ones will grant access to the kids’ zone. Wristbands include a snow cone, a turn in the bounce house, caricatures and face painting. Families with five or more members pay a maximum of $15.
If all goes well at Centerville Place this weekend, the village could host other events there in the future, Burkinshaw said.
The North Syracuse Family Festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 28, at Centerville Place. Check out the map of vendors on page 3. For more information, visit facebook.com/NorthSyracuseFamilyFestival.
List of vendors
1. VFW Post 7290
2. North Syracuse Liverpool Lions Club
3. Bella Domani
4. Cue Dogs
5. ReJOEvenate Wellness Massage
6. Cub Scout Pack 157
7. Pack 218/Troop 150
10. Girl Scouts NYPENN Pathways
11. North Syracuse Education Association
12. Brad Sweet: State Farm
13. Cuse Pit Crew
14. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
15. Vintage Chase
16. Keeping It Personal
17. Collectibles Galore
18. Thirty-One
19. Solutions Empire
20. North Syracuse Cemetery
21. East Lake Products
23. Moonlight Mystic Treasures
24. Royal Promise Productions
25. Usborne Books and More
26. Dashboard Comics
27. Court Jester Candle Co.
28. Alyce DeWolf
29. Bean Bois
30. Kelley Parker Photography
31. Kim Payne-Price
32. Crystal’s Boo-Boo Bags
33. Eber McGeber
34. Unique Unicorn Bling with Kim
35. Color Street
36. R.S. Henna
37. Salt City Wicks
40. Toss & Fire
41-42. Ma & Pa’s Kettle Corn & Popcorn Factory
43. Spud Shake
48. Miori Martial Arts
49. Five Star Martial Arts
50. Cicero Pop Warner
51. Karate John’s Martial ArtsAlso: NOPL Pop-Up Library, Highkey Science, Caricature, Sand Art Collectibles, 12th U.S. Infantry Co. Living History
Accessible parking is available at Core Federal Credit Union (enter at Trolley Barn Lane) or the Masonic Temple (enter at Church Street).
Throwback: Check out these photos from the 2016 North Syracuse Family Festival by Herm Card.
