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An imported crew of judges took to downtown establishments Friday evening to begin the Red, White and Blues festival. The bartenders’ contest began the evening while the Fredonia Beaver Club hosted its music marathon with “Red Rhythm” followed by “Big Tone w/ Gina V” to close out the evening. Valentine’s put on a huge stage show and their intricate costumes helped them take home the people’s choice and best in show awards. Muldoon’s received the best drink award and 41 West and the Beaver Club tied for third place. Today’s events begin bright and early with the traditional running of the Farmer’s Market which will be accompanied this year with wine tasting by Liberty and Vetter’s wineries. In the commons beginning at 10 a.m. “Art in the Park” will feature the finest local artists and their work including: Tom Annear, Stephen Lax, Patrick and Barbara Del Monte, Shannon Seacrist, Jennifer Koss, and many more. Just a block away, bikers from across the area can register for the 10:30 a.m. “Blues Cruise for MDA” in the Medicor parking lot. The run will be a short run around Chautauqua Lake and should arrive back in Fredonia just as the music begins and after the children’s activities in the Barker Common conclude. Family events begin around noon with several activities like the “Barrel of Monkeys” bounce house, sidewalk chalk art, “Kids Taste of Fredonia” and cookie decorating, and face painting in the east park; and the “Taste of Fredonia” in the west park, followed by a dog show and opportunity to dunk your favorite, or least favorite, politician. Potential dunkees include Fredonia Mayor Michael Sullivan and a Fredonia trustee, Pomfret Supervisor Don Steger and Pomfret Councilman Rod Pennica, Chautauqua County Legislator Chuck Cornell and maybe a surprise guest or two. Proceeds will go to the Lakeshore Humane Society. Three workshop/seminars that are new to the event this year will begin at 1 p.m. with the “Conversation with a local grape grower” in the east Barker Common tent. Andrew Dufresne, Executive Director of the Concord Grape Heritage Association will engage Robert Patterson Sr., a long time Portland grape grower, for a lively conversation filled with personal stories and experiences in the grape industry. At 2 p.m. “History of the Blues” will begin inside the Intermezzo Coffeehouse when SUNY Fredonia professor Tom Bingham looks to examine the development of Blues music. Side events will end at 3 p.m. when Cara Seekings of Lily Dale will play the part of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who in 1852 was elected as the president of the newly created Women’s New York State Temperance Society, based on her belief drunken men destroyed the lives of powerless wives and children. Over one dozen bands will perform today with music kicking off at Coughlan’s Pub with “The Electras” at 2 p.m. Headliner for the day’s concerts is Rory Block, who will be playing at 5 p.m. in the Barker Common Gazebo. Block has accumulated many accolades in the music industry over the past 25-plus years. She’s been called “A living landmark, the finest contemporary purveyor of the Mississippi Delta Country Blues tradition,” and “an inspiration to me,” by Bonnie Raitt. For a complete listing of bands and events for the weekend please visit www.festivalsfredonia.com Comments may be sent to mrukavina@observertoday.com

 

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