POTSDAM – The Potsdam Summer Festival returning this Thursday through Saturday will again be graced with a wide variety of musical entertainment in the blocked off portion of Market Street as well as in Ives Park behind the Clarkson Inn.

In addition, many events such as the annual fire department “Run to the River,” a beer and wine tent, pub craw, children’s activities, car and vendor shows, laser tag, and fireworks are planned. The festival is sponsored by the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce.

Here are details of some of the festival highlights:

Downtown on Market Street, will be both the “main stage” and a “side stage” that will allow for musical performances while the main stage is being cleared and set up for another band.

Seating under a canopy will again be available downtown so people of all ages can watch and listen as local musicians entertain the crowds.

In Ives Park, performances will take place in the Gazebo along the Raquette River.

Performers are booked throughout the day Thursday through Saturday, with longer acts at night. The performances are made possible through business sponsorships.

Highlights include the Norwood Brass Firemen from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 14 in Ives Park, Divided Roads on the downtown Main Stage from 8 to 10 p.m. July 14, Potsdam Community Band, Friday, July 15 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Ives Park, 11B from 8 to 10 p.m. downtown July 15, and SFM 8 - 10 p.m. Saturday, July 16 downtown.

For a complete schedule of performances, check out the schedule at the end of this story.

Run to the River

At 6:30 on Saturday, July 15, the Potsdam Volunteer Fire Department will continue the over 100-year tradition of the Run to the River.

The fire trucks of the department compete to be the first to race to the Raquette River, fill their hoses with water and spray it to the enjoyment of the spectators.People often line the bridge over the Raquette River to watch as firemen pump water from the river and use the hoses to spray back to the river and over the sidewalk. The race is a great way for the volunteers to practice their skills.

This event dates back to the early 1900’s.

Beer & Wine Tent

If you are 21 years of age or older, you are invited to the local Beer, Wine and Cider Tent on Fall Island!

The tent will be open from 4 – 10 p.m. Friday, July 15 behind Evans & White Ace Hardware. Also available will be food options, hard cider slushies, and alcohol ice cream.

Entertainment will be provided by Dad Bods.

The Beer, Wine & Cider Tent will serve local favorites from Hex and Hop Brewing, Kaneb Orchards, In-Law Brewing, Raquette River Brewing, Maple Tavern, Bella Brooke Winery, Village Diner, Gideons Galley Catering, and Italian Affair.

Nobody under age 21 will be allowed entry into the event, including and especially children.

Pub Crawl

A Downtown Pub Crawl will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 16 at 1/2 Ton’s Bar and Grill, 141 1/2 Market St.

The first 150 participants will receive a free beer stein, and a stamp card.

The card will feature all five participating restaurants — 1/2 Ton’s, Maxfields, Cactus Grill and Cantina, McDuff’s and Saint Larry’s.

After starting at 1/2 Tons, participants will have four hours to visit each location and receive a stamp.

Participants must complete their journey at Saint Larry’s to turn in their stamp card for a chance to win.

A drawing will take place at 7:15 p.m. on the Main Stage to determine the winners, who must be present at the time of the draw.

Children’s activities

A variety of children’s activities will be offered at the new Fall Island Fiesta on Fall Island from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, July 15.

Events for the Fall Island Fiesta will include chalk art, St. Lawrence County Sherriff Child Safe ID, live music by Animal Crackers, a STEM activity presented by the North Country Children’s Museum and storytime with staff from the Potsdam Public Library. Ice cream will be sold by the Village Diner.

Car & Vendor Shows

The annual Antique and Classic Car Show and the annual Summer Festival Vendor & Craft Show are returning again this year.

They will take place in the traditional location at the south end of Ives Park along the banks of the Raquette River, starting at 10 a.m.

The car show, organized by the St. Lawrence Adirondack Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America, the show is a big hit for young and old during the festival.

Organizers expect antique, vintage, classic cars, hot rods and muscle cars to be on display. The car show concludes at 2 p.m.

The Vendor & Craft show will conclude mid-afternoon.

Outdoor Movie

Everyone is invited to watch a movie under the starts during this year’s Potsdam Summer Festival.

The Seaway Valley Prevention Council invites the public to Sing 2 on the big screen in Ives Park.

The movie will start at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 14, following the ice cream social sponsored by Potsdam Volunteer Rescue.

Attendees should bring lawn chairs, pillows and blankets to make a confortable spot on the lawn.

The rain location will be in Pine Street Arena.

Laser Tag

Laser tag will be offered again in Ives Park behind the Clarkson Inn on Saturday, July 16.

For $5, participants will be placed on a “red” or “blue” team and get two rounds of play.

The red and blue teams compete until the last person is standing. Then participants switch sides and play again.

Laser tag hours will be 3 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m.

Fireworks

Fireworks, shown here from a previous Potsdam Summer Festival, will again light the skies 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 16. Good viewing spots will be Ives Park behind the Clarkson Inn and Fall Island next to Evans & White Ace Hardware.

Complete Schedule

Here is the Complete Schedule:

Thursday, July 14

• Throughout Potsdam: 11 am -- Elks BBQ, until sold out; 4 - 10 pm -- Cornhole Tournament, Market Street; 5 pm -- Elks Tour de Potsdam, 5K walk/run,Beal Street; 5:30 pm -- Theatre: two 10- Minute Plays with Music by Tom Baker, Library; 7 pm -- Theatre; Spirit Whispers on the Grasse, Library

• In Ives Park: 6:30 - 8 pm -- Ice Cream Social, Rescue Squad; 8:30 pm -- SVPC Outdoor Movie, “Sing 2.”

• At Ives Park Gazebo: 2:30 - 3 pm – Broadband; 3:30 - 4 pm -- Ryan C. McNally; 5 - 6 pm -- New Horizon’s Swing Band; 6:30 - 8 pm -- Norwood Brass Firemen

• Main Stage: 12 - 1 pm-- Big Papa’s Porch Party; 1:30 - 3 pm -- Phoenix Jazz Collective; 3:30 - 5 pm --Mary Ann & Tas Cru, Acoustic Reverie; 6 - 7:30 pm -- Atom Ghost; 8 - 10 pm -- Divided Roads.

• Side Stage: 1 - 1:30 pm -- Kevin Irwin; 3 - 3:30 pm -- Maria Tartaglia; 5 - 6 pm -- White Knuckle; 7:30 - 8 pm Lucas Benedict

Friday, July 15

• Throughout Potsdam: 10 am - 2 pm -- Fall Island Fiesta Kids’ Events; 10 - 11:45 am -- Animal Crackers, Fall Island; 1 pm -- Theatre; Spirit Whispers on the Grasse, Library; 3 pm -- Theatre: two 10-Minute Plays with Music by Tom Baker, Library; 5 pm -- Theatre: Dante “Inferno,” Library; 4 - 10 pm -- Beer, Wine & Cider Tent, Fall Island; 4 - 6 pm -- Dan Sullivan-Catlin, Fall Island; 7 - 10 pm -- The Dad Bods, Fall Island; 10 pm - 2 am -- Double Axel at Maxfields. Divided Roads at McDuffs, Karaoke at St. Larry’s

• In Ives Park: 10 am --Vendors & Crafters

• At Ives Park Gazebo: 10 - 10:30 am -- Veils of the Nile; 11 am - 12 pm -- Goddard Girls; 12:30 - 1:30 pm -- Mose Crossing; 2 - 3 pm -- Jeff Stein; 3:30 - 4:30 pm -- Just for Kicks Jazz Band; 5 - 6:30 pm -- Potsdam Community Band

• Main Stage: 10 - 11:30 am -- Wolf Country Showdown; 12 - 1:30 pm – Microburst; 2 - 3:30 pm – Kane; 4 - 5:30 pm -- Ten Speed Taxi; 6 - 7:30 pm -- Todd Trio; 8 - 10 pm --11B

• Side Stage: 11:30 am - 12 pm -- CPS: preview of “Once Upon A Mattress;” 3:30 - 4 pm -- Jen Kessler & Matt Bullwinkel; -- 5:30 - 6 pm Caroline Bergen; 7:30 - 8 pm -- Sal Sarmiento.

Saturday, July 16

• Throughout Potsdam: 9-10 a.m. -- Trillium Community Yoga, Fall Island; 11 am - 12 pm -- 4Me Fitness Zumba with Maggie; 1 pm -- Theatre; Spirit Whispers on the Grasse, Library; 3 pm -- Theatre: two 10-Minute Plays with Music by Tom Baker, Library; 3:30 - 4:30 pm -- Potsdam Dance, Market Street; 3 - 7 pm -- Pub Crawl, start at 1/2 Tons; 5 pm -- Theatre: Dante “Inferno,” Library; 6:30 pm – Potsdam Volunteer Fire Department’s Run to the River, Main Street; 10 pm - 2 am -- Double Axel at Maxfields. Divided Roads at McDuffs, Karaoke at St. Larry’s

• In Ives Park: 9 am - 2 pm -- Farmer’s Market; 9 am - 2 pm -- Car Show; 9 am – 3 pm – Vendors & Crafters; 3 - 5 pm and 6 - 9 pm -- Laser Tag; 9:30 pm -- Fireworks

• Ives Park Gazebo:10 - 11 am -- New Horizon Concert Band; 11:30 am - 12:30 pm -- Caramelo Trio; 1 - 2 pm -- String Soulstice; 2:30 - 3:30 pm -- Time & Again; 4 - 5:30 pm -- Roust

• Main Stage: 10 - 11:30 am -- Chipman Jazz All Stars; 12 - 1:30 pm -- Another Roadside Attraction; 2 - 3:30 pm -- Stephanie & Rob; 5 - 6:30 pm -- The Recov’ry; 8 - 10 pm -- SFM

• Side Stage: 11:30 am - 12 pm -- Jacques Kuno; 1:30 - 2 pm -- B99.3 & Wild Country 100.1 Game Show; 4:30 - 5 pm Nick Rycroft