POTSDAM – The Potsdam Summer Festival, which returns Thursday through Saturday, is nearing a half-century of providing downtown Potsdam with an economic boost during slow summer months.

The festival has given downtown businesses a “pretty strong, positive impact” over the years, said Potsdam Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Marylee Ballou.

“Since the colleges let out in May, June is a slow month and the festival helps boost summer sales,” she said. “There is an influx of alumni and as far as I know, it is beneficial.”

The goal of the festival is two-fold, Ballou said.

“We want to get people downtown and boost sales for businesses, but we also want it to be a fun community event that brings people together,” she said. “We want to instill local pride and I feel it serves that purpose well.”

Attendance at the festival has been on par or growing, Ballou says. Saturday traditionally has the highest attendance, but it all hinges on the weather.

“I always appreciate seeing a rainy weekend prior to the festival, and so far the forecast looks promising,” she said.

Ballou says attendance ranges from an estimated 1,500 to 3,000 people that show up for music, a car show, vendors, food and activities for children.

“Recently, Thursday has been more heavily attended than in previous years…again it depends on weather, but I know attendance has not decreased,” Ballou said.

A large draw of the festival aside from music, are vendors. Offering something for nearly everyone, more and more vendors are signing up to be a part of the event and cash in on the popularity of the festival.

“We’ve added more vendors,” she said. “ I am having a hard time placing them.”

Ballou said word of mouth from vendors is the main reason for the increase. Vendors often attend the same events throughout the North Country and tell each other about how well they do at each show or event.

“They tell me that it is a great festival to be a part of,” she said.

Ballou says the highlight of the summer festival has always been the musical main stage.

Many musical acts return each year, but Ballou makes an effort to alternate acts, as well as sprinkle in new entertainment to keep things fresh.

New acts are often discovered through word of mouth from musicians who play the festival.

The most popular shows, generally held on Friday and Saturday nights, draw hundreds of spectators on Market Street.

Ballou said attendance has grown at Outer Market Mania, which was added five years at the Save-A-Lot parking lot, to benefit businesses on that side of town.

“It’s a great place for kids and families to check out,” she said.

Ballou was still searching for a musical act to perform the National Anthem and for other musicians or marching bands to perform in the parade.

The parade, held on Saturday, will feature at least 20 units consisting of vehicles, floats and organizations. The theme of the parade is patriotism

It takes dozens of people to make the festival happen, with Ballou and an office assistant taking on the brunt of the planning.

Summer festival committees and local businesses all have a hand in creating the event and planning begins as early as January or February.

“We begin scheduling acts and tweak things from previous years and look ahead to plan for things like road construction issues,” she said.

Tentative planning for the 50th summer festival is already underway.

“We have a wish list,” Ballou said.

Ballou said they are planning to have a larger parade, which could possibly be moved to a different day and location. Fireworks are also being discussed for next year.

A special display honoring the 50 years of festivals is on tap. The hope is to gather memorabilia and stories of past festivals and display them for the community.

“We hope to hear about how people feel the festival evolved and remained the same over the years,” she said.

Ballou said she is open to suggestions and anyone who wishes to do so can call the chamber at 274-9000.