PLATTSBURGH — Following last year’s successful and well-attended inaugural event, Michigan Fest is returning to the Clinton County Fairgrounds Aug. 1.
Last year, the event, which celebrates Plattsburgh’s famous Michigan hot dog delicacy, had over 4,000 people attend throughout the day. This year, organizers are hoping to see an even bigger turnout.
“We have some amazing food vendors, and I know something a lot of people were worried about last year with the long lines. It was hot; people were waiting for a long time,” Shelby Gonyo, from UFirst Federal Credit Union, said.
“So this year we’ve almost doubled our food vendors, and we want to make sure we’re supporting them as best we can, so please don’t let that deter you from coming out.
“We did not expect to have over 4,000 people last year, so we’re hoping to exceed that this year. And hopefully provide enough food vendors to do that.”
The event, the brainchild of former Plattsburgh Town Supervisor and current assemblymember for the 115th District Michael Cashman, was made possible through a collaboration between the town, Dannemora Federal Credit Union and UFirst Federal Credit Union. That collaboration continued this year, as well.
BENEFITTING BATTLEFIELD MEMORIAL GATEWAY
All proceeds made from this year’s Michigan Fest, like last year, will go toward the Battlefield Memorial Gateway project in the Town of Plattsburgh.
The Battlefield Memorial Gateway, located off Route 9 just south of the City of Plattsburgh, is a multi-phase project that will serve as a military remembrance park for the area when complete.
Phase two of the project broke ground in April, and the town is still fundraising for phase three.
“Our veterans are obviously the reason we are so passionate about this,” Anna Hewitt-Channell, from Dannemora Federal Credit Union, said at a news conference at the Plattsburgh Town Hall on Tuesday.
FESTIVAL INFORMATION
Michigan Fest will run from noon to 7 p.m. Aug. 1 at the Clinton County Fairgrounds, located at 84 Fairgrounds Road, Plattsburgh.
Right at noon, the Maker’s Market, Kid’s Zone, food trucks and beer garden all open for the day. New this year are Olympic-style games for the younger kids.
Shortly after, there will be an opening ceremony with the Honor Guard and National Anthem at 12:15 p.m.
There will, of course, be a Michigan eating contest at 2:15 p.m., sponsored by The Dogfather.
Throughout the day, there will also be three musical acts for attendees to listen to: Covered Up performing from 1 to 2 p.m.; Losing Focus from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.; and Taylor Lavalley from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
“We have over 75 vendors this year, which pretty much exceeds all of our people last year, including food trucks,” Gonyo said.
“We sold out several months before, and we’re still getting messages every day of people asking if they can join, and we hate to say no, but we only have so much space at the fairgrounds.”
Some of the local food trucks and restaurants are Adirondack Food Therapy, Ronnie’s, Gus’ Red Hots, Buns on the Run, Sloppy Dog Food Truck, The Dogfather and Tammy’s Lunchbox, among many others.
“We’re going to have two alcohol stations this year, so you can enjoy that along the way with some games in those zones,” Gonyo said.
“Those did also double in size for recommendations of feedback from last year, so we’ll have a lot of extra space in those areas.”
The full event schedule, as well as updated information, can be found on the Michigan Fest Facebook page.
When the event kicks off, Potassium Sports Network, with the help of several local high school students, will also livestream Michigan Fest for those unable to attend.
Hewitt-Channell said the inaugural event was a good learning experience for the planning committee. She said the committee had a meeting after it was over last year and they went over what they loved, hated and what needed to be changed or modified for this year’s event.
“We try to make this day as fun as possible,” she said.
“One of the first meetings we ever had, the main goal was to have something for everyone, all age groups, all interests, all sports fanatics, all Michigan enthusiasts, everything.”