CAZENOVIA — The Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce (GCACC) will present its fifth annual Caz Block Fest weekend Aug. 20-21.
The community celebration will kick off on Saturday, Aug. 20, with the traditional Farmers’ Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Village Green, sidewalk sales, held throughout the weekend, “Shred Fest” from 1 to 3 p.m., and “Rock Fest.”
Sponsored by Community Bank, N.A. to help safeguard against identity theft and fraud, Shred Fest is an opportunity for the public to have any sensitive materials shredded at no cost in the bank parking lot.
During Rock Fest in Telephone Park (the lawn in front of Kinney Drugs), children will paint rocks to be sold for donations to CazCares food pantry and clothing closet. According to GCACC Executive Director Anna Marie Neuland, the event is sponsored by the Eat/Shop/Play Committee, a relatively new group made up of both GCACC members and non-members.
“In the past, the chamber had a very similar committee that planned events for the downtown shopping district, such as sidewalk sales [and] ladies’ and men’s night out,” said Neuland. “This is a new and very active group that is taking over the planning and coordination of many of the events that the chamber has done in the past with our support. It is very exciting, and the chamber wants to support all of them.”
Neuland added that “Shopping Passports” will also be available all weekend to coincide with the sidewalk sales. Visit a participating business and make a purchase to receive a stamp. Depending on the number of stores visited, customers will be entered into a raffle for tier-based prizes. Passports will be handed out in the village on Friday and can be turned in on Sunday to enter the raffles.
Block Fest, the main event of the weekend, will be held on Sunday, Aug. 21, from noon to 3 p.m. on Lincklaen Street between Albany Street and the post office. That section of the street will be blocked off from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
According to Block Fest Chairperson Barb Houghton, of Community Bank, the Cazenovia Lodge No. 616, Free & Accepted Masons, will be barbequing again this year and selling ice cream from Nelson Creamery.
The Lincklaen House will be serving pizza and lemonade, and Summit Church will provide a bounce house, games, and face painting for the kids.
“The [‘Twin Magicians’] will be here, sponsored by Lillie Bean, and, back by popular demand, the Ponytail James band, sponsored by Bruce Waynee.” said Houghton.
Billed as the Twin Magicians, David and Paul Jackman will perform a little magic and create balloon sculptures for children and adults throughout the day.
Goodie bags will also be provided for the kids.
Caz Block Fest is a free community event.
“We are only asking for donations to help support the GCACC,” said Houghton.
Houghton is organizing this year’s event with a committee made up of representatives from the GCACC, Cazenovia College, the Albany Street shopping district, Community Bank, and AmeriCU Credit Union.
“We were so happy [with] the turn out last year,” said Houghton. “We live in such a great community, and the chamber appreciates all the local businesses and how hard the last couple of years have been for everyone. We want people to come out and enjoy a weekend of fun events, good food, great music, and, most of all, our neighbors.”
The mission of the GCACC is to benefit the local economy and enhance the community’s quality of life. For more information, visit cazenovia.com.
