A Golden Harvest For All.

Evan Zimmer
Sep 9, 2018 · 3 min read
Admissions

On September 8 and 9, Beaver Lake Nature Center hosts the Golden Harvest Festival. The annual festival, now in its 41st year, is a conglomeration of fall themed crafts, food, entertainment, hayrides, and games. Taking place beneath an interlocking web of tree limbs and green leaves just starting their transition to gold, the festival is an excellent way for families and friends to kick off the fall season.

Only costing $5 for adults 18 and up, $3 for ages 12–17, and free for children, droves of people flock to the woods each year in order to take part in the fall fun. Hot cider, brewed coffee, and freshly baked cinnamon donuts are just a few of the family-friendly activities that went on over the weekend.

Brooke Binion, a returning festival goer, says “I’m here for the cider and the donuts!” As she waits in line for the tasty seasonal treats.

Behind her, the Bog Brothers play a medley of folk, Americana, and roots music. The Golden Harvest Festival also features music from Harmonic Dirt, Khalil Jade, Charley Orlando, Mike Powell, Harmonic Collective, The SU Standards Trio, Steve Pfanenstiel, Los Blancos, and Westcott Jugsuckers.

And if music isn’t your thing, beside the stage in front of a large audience of mesmerized children, the Catskill Puppet Theater prepare for their show. The festival also showcases performances by Incredible Larry, a comic juggler, and The Magic of Virgil, an illusionist.

Just a few of the craft vendors.

While the live music begins, a horse-drawn hayride makes its rounds up and down the winding path. In the center of it all you’ll find a colorful assortment of over 50 crafters, artists, and food vendors.

Towards the back of the festival you’ll find games such as Beaver Tail Toss and Leapin’ Lily Pads, as well as a small petting zoo. Also included with admission are canoes and kayaks to take out on Beaver Lake, as well as the various trails which take you into the woods and around the beautiful lake.

CJ Patzer, another festival goer, says the only way to describe it would be, “Fall family fun!”

The event is nearly 70% volunteer run, says Bethani McCarthy, the volunteer coordinator. “We have about 200 volunteers each day, with some paid staff.” They begin searching for volunteers at the start of the summer, needing to fill positions such as games crew, donut booth, craft crew, and more.

The festival is a county event, with the proceeds benefiting Onondaga County as well as Beaver Lake Nature Center.

Also in attendance was Jennifer Broderick of the SUNY Oswego Alumni Association. They reached out in order to advertise the “benefit of being Oswego,” Broderick says. It’s the associations first year doing the “family friendly event,” Broderick says, but 200 people registered ahead of time to attend.

The Golden Harvest Festival is a great way to say farewell to summer, and hello to a cool, crisp, fall season.

Recent SUNY Oswego grad with experience in covering a variety of topics from music to politics. Interested in all things media with a focus on music and gaming.

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