BY ADAM ATKINSONNorth Country This Week

POTSDAM -- Thousands of festival goers will once again descend on downtown Potsdam for the village's annual Summer Fest this year slated for July 9-11. 

Live music, great food, family fun activities, vendors, classic cars, food trucks, exhibits, laser tag, dancing and more will be part of the festival lineup again this year.

Organizers with the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce are hoping and planning for another record breaking festival this year, and have taken steps toward that goal to make things run smoothly even with the downtown streetscape project in full swing on Market Street. 

"Putting together Summer Fest is always a major community effort, but this year has required even more coordination and flexibility," Potsdam Chamber executive director Melanie Flack told North Country This Week. 

"Fortunately, I have a great committee and supportive sponsors who have embraced the changes and helped us create an even better festival experience. Market Street construction has certainly presented some challenges, but it hasn't changed our commitment to hosting a great festival. In fact, it's pushed us to think creatively, resulting in new vendor spaces, new activity areas, and some exciting additions while keeping all of the traditions people know and love," Flack said. 

Flack said the chamber is excited to introduce the Outdoor Expo at Outer Market Street, expand programming and music on Fall Island, and add some new entertainment to the lineup. 

"Summer Fest is a celebration of our community and a chance to showcase local businesses, organizations, artists, musicians, and volunteers while bringing thousands of people together in downtown Potsdam. We look forward to welcoming everyone July 9–11," the director told the newspaper. 

This year the festival will also feature a touch a truck event on Outer Market in conjunction with the Outdoor Expo. Both events will feature interactive exhibits, equipment displays, community organizations, and family-friendly activities. The area will also include child passenger safety demonstrations and car seat installation assistance.

North Country Clean Energy Hub will once again host the popular Energy Zone in Ives Park on Friday and Saturday with hands-on educational activities and demonstrations for all ages. 

Snipers and sharpshooters will once again battle at Laser Tag behind the Clarkson Hotel.

Festival goers will have the opportunity to try a wide variety of foods and drinks and treats from the various food trucks and vendor organizations.

The Rescue Squad Ice Cream Social will be set up for cool treats and there will be ample trash talking at the dunking booth followed by satisfying splash downs. 

The 24th Annual Tour de Potsdam 5K will step off Thursday, and a variety of other contests and activities are planned for all ages during the three-day event. 

There will be live music throughout the festival on multiple stages over the three-day event. With jam music, blues, swing, big band, orchestral music, folk, rock and country bands all performing. 

Antique and classic cars and trucks will be on display in Ives Park again, and there will be a movie night presented by Advancing Tobacco-Free Communities, and a Beer, Wine & Cider Tent operating both Friday and Saturday evenings in Fall Island Park.

Potsdam Fire Department’s annual Run to the River competition will cap Saturday evening's events. The ever popular fireworks over the Raquette River will follow the Run to the River.  

Saturday’s entertainment lineup will conclude with Strictly Hip, one of Canada’s premier Tragically Hip tribute bands, closing out Potsdam Summer Fest 2026 with a high-energy performance in Fall Island Park. 

Full event details and updates are available at www.potsdamchamber.com.

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