Big changes in store for the 2025 Brockport Arts Festival
by Maggie Fitzgibbon for Brockport Arts Festival
The 2025 Brockport Arts Festival (BAF) will be held on August 9 and 10, 2025, each day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This juried arts festival will take place on Main Street in the heart of the Village of Brockport. Each year, this popular summer event attracts tens of thousands of festival goers. Former Village Trustee and Brockport Arts Festival Co-Chair Kathy Kristansen explained last year’s attendance.
“The Brockport Arts Festival is held outdoors; therefore, attendance is weather dependent. We estimated last year’s attendance at between 20 to 40 thousand people,” Kristansen said.
Many changes are planned for this year’s festival, including an expansion of the festival area. Festival organizers expect over 250 vendors – artists, businesses, and community organizations. Kristansen explains how these changes impact the festival’s layout.
“This year, the festival area will extend over the canal bridge, down Main Street to the roundabout,” Kristansen said. “Officials from the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) have assured us that if the canal bridge renovation project is not 100 percent ready for vehicle traffic that the bridge will be open for pedestrian foot traffic.”
A car show sponsored by Spurr Chevrolet will be held in the new festival area, along with a tractor display sponsored by Bentley Brothers. Both the car show and tractor display will be held on the north side of the canal before the roundabout at the intersection of NY Route 19 and East/West Avenues.
Festival goers will find changes to the locations of the entertainment stages. The Canalside Stage will be relocated across the canal and renamed the 58 Main Stage. This stage will be located near the 58 Main Restaurant. Unfortunately, due to the tragic Morgan-Manning House fire in January, the grounds of the house cannot be used by the
Brockport Arts Festival. Another stage will be at the intersection of Monroe Avenue and Main Street. A variety of artists will perform throughout the festival weekend at these two stages, along with the Kids’ Zone area.
Parents and families with children can find entertainment all weekend at the Kids’ Zone at Sagawa Park on Main Street. PortA-Globe, a mobile puppet theatre, will surely bring smiles to audiences of all ages. These entertainers will perform three shows per day over the festival weekend. Magic Mike Cole, the Family Entertainer, is a balloon twister extraordinaire. He will perform two shows daily. His creations will light up little faces with laughter and smiles.
Last year, festival organizers added a Student Alley that featured middle, high school, and college-age student artists. This proved to be a success and will make a return at this year’s BAF. Students share complimentary booths to showcase their work.
“We have student-artists from SUNY Brockport, the University of Buffalo, and Nazareth University who are studying for their master’s of Fine Arts, who will present their artwork,” said Kari Pardun, BAF organizer. “Our goal is to give these artists a stepping stone to build their following. We hope that once these students graduate, they will return as artists,” Kristansen said.
The Brockport Integrated Service Clubs Organization (BISCO) is a 501(c)(3) organization that works with the Brockport Arts Festival in its fundraising efforts. Every year, the proceeds from the festival support the upgrading and maintenance of playgrounds found within the Village of Brockport. This year, BISCO applied for and received a Community Festival Support Grant from Monroe County.
“This $5,400 will help to cover most of our festival entertainment expenses,” Kristansen explained. “We are very grateful for this funding.”
Festival organizers noted that support from sponsors plays a significant role in the festival’s success.
ing at Monroe Avenue Stage and Food Court, Spurr Chevrolet GMC, Leafguard, Runnings, and M&T Charitable Trust’s sponsorships are supporting festival logistics. Renewal by Anderson, Runnings, and Canandaigua National Bank’s sponsorships provide hospitality to vendors. Funding from Bateman Orthodontics supports the Food Truck Face Off. Nortera Foods supports festival logistics and public safety, and Oaks Inc. is sponsoring the Food Court. Long Construction will support festival logistics by sponsoring hygiene stations throughout the festival area. Spurr Chevrolet GMC is also sponsoring the shuttle service and the Car Show. Refuse disposal is provided by Casella Waste Management.
All the festival food vendors will be located in the Food Court, including food trucks. Last year, the festival committee added a new event called the Food Truck Face Off. The event was a big success and will make a return this year. Any BAF food truck vendor is invited to submit their signature dish for judging by the festival committee. Armed with their forks, knives, and napkins, the festival committee will taste test each entry and choose a winner.
The layout of the 2025 Brockport Arts Festival will be expanded, and so will its safety and security measures. These changes may not be noticeable to anyone attending, but the changes allow for the festival committee
to best moderate the festival. Volunteers, who are vital to the smooth operation of the festival, are now called ambassadors. Each will be assigned a zone, and they will roam that festival zone area. The festival includes five zones. Each festival planning committee member along with a team of ambassadors, are assigned to a zone. The roaming ambassadors will provide directions, answer questions, and check on vendors.
Kristansen explained the new festival structure.
“This ‘boots on the ground’ method gives us a better way to assist vendors and festival-goers, keep eyes on the crowd, and most importantly, a better way to stay in communication should we have an emergency.”
Parking in the village of Brockport during the Brockport Arts Festival can be challenging. Shuttle buses, provided by Spurr Chevrolet GMC, will run every 15 minutes, both Saturday and Sunday, from the Sweden Plaza to the festival area. The plaza is located at 4870 Lake Road South, Brockport, and plenty of free parking is available at this plaza. This shuttle service is free to all riders.
The festival committee encourages folks to come out to the 29th annual 2025 Brockport Arts Festival.
“Come check out the beautiful artwork, delicious food, fun entertainment, and great displays and shows. Don’t miss it,” Pardun said.
A complete listing of artists, vendors, exhibitors, and entertainment is included in this Brockport Arts Festival special section of Westside News.
Discover local flavor at the BAF Wine Tasting Tent
by Maggie Fitzgibbon for Brockport Arts Festival
Local and regional wineries as well as distilleries will be featured at The Wine Tasting Tent at the Brockport Arts Festival. The tent will be open during the festival weekend, August 9 and 10, each day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lakeland Winery, Barrelhouse 6 Distillery, Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery, Queen City Meadery, Victorianbourg Wine Estate, and Antler Run Distillery will be featured at this year’s tasting tent. These area wineries and distilleries will have items for sale, including the fruits of their labor, as well as other products and specialties.
Admission to the tent is $5 per person and is only open to those ages 21 and older.
The Wine Tasting Tent will relocate to the festival area on the north side of Main Street, near 22 North Main Street, across the Erie Canal bridge.
According to Cheryl Warner, a BISCO board member, all proceeds from the Wine Garden will support BISCO projects. BISCO’s (Brockport Integrated Service Clubs Organization) focus is on supporting projects that benefit children from the western towns of Monroe County.
Warner encourages festival goers to visit the Wine Tasting Tent.
“Take a walk across the canal bridge, check out the festival expansion, including the Wine Tasting Tent and some of our new wineries and distilleries,” she said.
Volunteers getting signage ready for Brockport Arts Festival. They are excited for festival-goers to see all the new elements this year. Photo from Brockport Arts Festival on Facebook.
Generous donation continues community investment
by Maggie Fitzgibbon for Brockport Arts Festival
Each year, any proceeds from the Brockport Arts Festival (BAF) are invested into the upkeep, upgrade, and purchase of new playground equipment in the parks located within the village of Brockport.
Last year’s festival proceeds were utilized to upgrade the playground equipment at Monika Andrews Park on Utica Street. With the support of a recent generous donation from Bill Andrews Sr., the Village purchased a We-Go-Round. Designed for children of all ages and abilities, this piece of inclusive playground equipment is fully wheelchair accessible.
Andrews is well-known to the Brockport community not just for educating young people but for his philanthropic efforts and community service. He is a former history professor at SUNY Brockport and a published author. Andrews served as Village Trustee and Deputy Mayor and served on Brockport’s Historic Preservation Board. He was the founding president and is a current member of the Brockport Community Museum.
He is humble when talking about the almost $40,000 donation, and says he made this donation for a deeply personal reason.
“My late wife, Monika, created the playground. It was her mission to create a handicapped accessible park for children, and I thought that this would be a suitable donation and addition to the park,” Andrews explained.
Giving back to the Brockport community is important to this 90-plus-year-old. He is an active volunteer at Strong West Hospital and generously supports many events and organizations. The Summer and Winter Serenades Concert Series, the Morgan-Manning House, and SUNY Brockport are just a few to which he has contributed.
Former Village Trustee and Brockport Arts Festival Co-Chair Kathy Kristansen explained the importance of this donation.
“Bill Andrews has honored his wife by keeping her legacy alive and benefiting our Brockport community. This particular piece of playground equipment represents Monika’s commitment to providing a safe and fun place for all children (and adults) regardless of their abilities or capabilities,” Kristansen said.
Ralph Parmelee - a community advocate, leaves a legacy of community service
by Maggie Fitzgibbon for Brockport Arts Festival
He was a friend to all and a man who loved his community. Ralph Parmelee can be remembered for his many contributions, one of which was establishing the Brockport Arts Festival.
Brockport was home to the Parmelee family, Ralph and his wife, Gail, and their children, Scott, Linda, Mark, and Todd. In the early 1990s, Ralph retired after 30 years of employment at Eastman Kodak. Not one to sit idle, he opened All Seasons Travel Agency on Main Street in Brockport.
During a recent interview with Scott and Mark, both recalled their father’s community service.
“We, my siblings and I, attended the Church of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary school (Nativity school). Dad was a member of the church’s Men’s Club. He dressed as Santa Claus during the annual Nativity Festival, one of his favorite things to do,” Scott explained. He belonged to the Brockport Kiwanis and Lions Clubs.
As President of the Brockport Kiwanis, Ralph was one of the founders of BISCO, Brockport Integrated Service Clubs Organization. A not-for-profit organization, BISCO’s mission is to support projects and organizations that serve the needs of children and youth in Brockport and surrounding communities. BISCO’s biggest fundraiser was the Brockport Arts Festival.
“Dad shared his idea of an outdoor juried arts festival with BISCO. His concept was to bring visitors to our village and bring awareness to all the businesses located on Main Street,” Mark said.
And 29 years ago, the Brockport Arts Festival was born.
According to the Parmalee brothers, in its early days, the Brockport Arts Festival was simple. A section of Main Street was closed. Local artists set up their work for display and purchase, and there were a few food vendors, including BISCO.
“I remember Dad walking around the festival, looking up and down Main Street, and a big, broad smile would come across his face,” Scott said. “He loved talking to people, sharing information about Brockport, and pointing out businesses to patronize,” Mark said.
While you’re in Brockport, take some time to check out the businesses that make this community unique.
Some can say that Ralph intended to promote his business, but both Scott and Mark shared the opposite.
“My Dad’s goal was to bring a spotlight to the Brockport community and showcase all the community offered. He wanted to give exposure to the west side of Monroe County, and he hoped the Brockport Arts Festival did just that,” Mark said. “Dad’s dedication wasn’t about accolades. It was about connection, growth, and love for the community he called home,” Scott added.
Art Appleby is a longtime BISCO member, officer, and former Brockport Arts Festival coordinator. He currently serves as the Secretary of BISCO. He recalls his early BISCO volunteer days and Ralph’s Brockport Arts Festival leadership.
“Ralph was very encouraging to anyone new to BISCO. He always encouraged folks to join BISCO. Ralph was dedicated to making the Brockport Arts Festival a success,” Appleby explained.
Appleby also shared how Ralph was not only generous with his time, but he also happily provided donations from his travel agency.
“Ralph donated trips as prizes for contests and raffles. These were trips to exotic locations like Cancun, which were at no small cost to his travel agency,” he said.
Ralph and his wife, Gail, moved to the Spencerport area in 2000. Ralph’s community service continued as he was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church and organized its annual successful garage sale fundraiser. He also played Santa Claus at a community event called Christmas on the Canal. Regardless of where Ralph lived, he loved to give back.
Sadly, Ralph passed away in August 2024. The Brockport community is better because of Ralph. Thanks to his efforts, the Brockport Arts Festival has grown into one of the largest, well-attended festivals in Monroe County.
The new We-Go-Round at Monika Andrews Park. Photo from the Village of Brockport on Facebook.
Ralph Parmelee. Photo provided by Parmelee family.
SATuRDAy, AuguST 9, 10Am-5pm
SuNDAy, AuguST 10, 10Am-5pm
SATuRDAy
gENERAL EVENTS:
9:00-5:00:Church Tours & Bell Ringing and COOLING STATION at St. Lukes Episcopal Church, State Street
10:00-2:00: FREE KAYAKING at Welcome Center (11 Water Street)
10:00-3:30Spurr Car Show, North Main Street
10:00-5:00:Mosaic Demonstration at Crest Tile & Mosaics (Booth 28)
10:00-5:00:Capen Hose Fire Hall Tours (Main & Park)
10:00-5:00:Giant Games & Charging Station compliments of Spurr Chevy/GMC at Holley and Main
10:00-5:00:Wine Garden at 22 North Main Street
10:00-3:00:Bake Sale, Pony Rides & Petting Zoo, First Baptist Church, Main & Holley Streets
10:30:FOOD TRUCK FACE OFF Sponsored by Bateman Orthodontics, Main and South St.
11:00-5:00:Cooling Station at St. Lukes mONROE AVENuE STAgE
11:00:Brockport School of Dance & Performing Arts
12:00:Funkyard Brass Band
2:00:Merrick
3:30:Road Less Travelled
SAgAWA pARK ~ KID zONE!!
10:00-5:00:Balloons and Magic with Mike Cole (Magic Shows at 11am & 2pm)
10:00-5:00: Port-A-Globe Puppet Theatre (Shows at 10am, 12pm, 3pm)
58mAIN STAgE
10:00:Dave Knaudt
11:00:Folk-Indie Bob
12:00:Gypsyland
3:30:The Water Dogs
ST. LuKES ChuRCh
11:00Boots Tosti
2:00The Chorus of The Genesee
SuNDAy
gENERAL EVENTS:
9:00-1:00:Farmer’s Market, Market Street
10:00-5:00:Giant Games & Charging Station compliments of Spurr Chevy/GMC at State and Main
10:00-2:00:FREE KAYAKING at Welcome Center (11 Water Street)
10:00-3:30: Spurr Car Show, North Main Street
10:00-5:00:Mosaic Demonstration at Crest Tile & Mosaics (Booth 28)
10:00-5:00:Wine Garden at 22 North Main Street
1:00:Allen Hopkins – Songs of The Erie Canal 2:30:Boots Tosti DuCKDERBy 3:30:Ticket Sales Close 4:00:Duck Derby!! www.BrockportArtsFestival.com All information as provided at press
10:00-5:00:Capen Hose Fire Hall Tours (Main & Park)
11:00-5:00:Church Tours & Bell Ringing and COOLING STATION at St. Lukes Episcopal Church, State Street
12:00-4:00:Pony Rides & Petting Zoo, First Baptist Church, Main & Holley Streets
mONROE AVENuE STAgE
11:30:Gray Matter 1:30:Folk-Indie Bob 3:00:Wren Cove
SAgAWA pARK ~ KID zONE!!
10:00-5:00:Balloons and Magic with Mike Cole (Magic Shows at 11am & 2pm)
10:00-5:00:Port-A-Globe Puppet Theatre (Shows at 10am, 12pm, 3pm)
58mAIN STAgE
10:00:Freakin Old Guys
12:30:Road Less Travelled 2:30:Patty Stirk
ST. LuKES ChuRCh
Wegmans, State Cappalletti’s
Sweden
Lift Bridge
Dunn Furniture, Lucien Brisson,
Ready To Go!
Villageof Brockport&BISCO presents
All Festival proceeds benefit Village of Brockport Parks and PlaygroundsBring this insert with you to the festival!
ARTISTS & CRAFT VENDORS
Dust and Rust Fabrication243
Get your tickets from a member of Brockport Kiwanis, Lions or come to the Duck Derby booth in the middle of Main Street, near The Strand. This year’s prize list is HUGE. With all these prizes you can’t afford not to buy a ticket!
TICKETS
One Lonely Duck - $5 Quack Pack (5 tickets) - $20 Community Flock (35 tickets)$100
BENEFICIARIES
Projects that benefit children from the western towns of Monroe County
3DpRINTINg
Iron Ponds Printing and Blanks
171-173
Funtastic Plastics 223-225
3DMAXX 58
Bad Dog Woodworks304
BATh/BODy/BuRNABLES
Riley Joy Candle Company 219
G.O.A.T Organics LLC62
KBWhite Farm 198
Full Moon Gardens 128
Dark Moon Esscentuals169
Haley the Heat Pack Lady305
FizzyBombz.com LLC288
Tai’s Sweet Shop LLC34
The Drunkin Candle Shop114
Maarvelous Creations311
Chautauqua Soap Co.235
Willow Body Care 334
William Painter 527
Body Aura 222
Bellator Tribe Candle Co.348
BEVERAgE VENDOR
Shakin’ Smiles 591
Dottie’s Lemonade 277
Lori’s 267
CERAmICS/pOTTERy/ STONE/CONCRETE
Mathers Pottery 227
Jade Pottery 542
Madaket Bay Engraving296
The Petrified Forest 280
Island Sand Sculptures216
Floral Fauna 193
Abundant Provisions318
Crest Tile and Mosaic 28
Laura Bishop 333
CLOThINg
UnsystematicC 180 by buschle 338
Kicks and Kindness182-184
SIAM Boutique 33-35
Crafted with Love by Kim502
Buffalo Bleached 224
716 Shop 308
Junebug’s Finds and Designs346
DRAWINg/gRAphICS/ pApER CRAFTS
Rachel Kinsey 319
Art of Yen Ospina 328
Aalibrary 292
Lake Effect stks LLC 343
Birdie’s Beads 90
Glitter & Glue 118
Art by Akasya Crosier 337
Breakdown Arts 310
tadillu 510
ExhIBITORS
LeafFilter North LLC. 78
Canal Town Provisions29
Whiskers and Yarn504-506
Jazzy Gin Designs 312
Olivia’s Kloset 317
Kitunga Fashion 72
Archer Decor 36
Amber Kay Treasures530
Stitch of Sunshine 521
Sam & Bailey Artisan Goods524
Tye-Rific 294
Moonlight Garden
Floral Designs 174
Hippiesque TieDyes326
Davis Designs 209-211
North Ferry Hats517-519
Made By MaKendra520
Laurie’s Fingerknit Cuddlers541
FOOD VENDOR
Eat Greek FoodTruck8
Kiwanis Club of Brockport 273-275
Sammies -n- SweetsFoodTruck2
Island Wraps 260-264
Outback Kettle Korn139
Apt. 1 FoodTruck7
Macarollin Food Trucks FoodTruck4
ArMY EATS FoodTruck1
Falanga’s 266-268
Curbside QuesadillaFoodTruck3
KO-BQ Korean Fusion GrillFoodTruck6
Rochester Kettle Corn595
Nancys Fried DoughFoodTruck5
Scoop N Twist 350
gLASS
Moose River Glass 40
Quirky Creations & Perfectly
Flawed Beads 60
Mack Brink Art Glass324
St George Stuff 74
Holly Ivy Arts 309
Catch a Falling Jar 345
JEWELRy
Sweetbriar Creations189
Stay Golden Soy 126
sha-sha beads 206
LibbyLoch Handmade
Creations 307
CC Designs 293
Dear Kimberly 116
MA Handmade Jewelry30
The Pearl & Stone 217
Random Rings 187
Glitter Kissed By Kelly511
Grassrootz Jewelry 228
Christine Miller 161
Laura’s Beaded Treasurers314
Jewelry by Cam 330
Buffalo Bead Bar257-259
Freedom Season LLC31
Mark Ballantyne 351
Peter Lindemann 327
NON-pROFIT & COmmuNITy
pARTNERS
PAWS 213
Navy Club of Lake Ontario Ship 1812 56
New York State Parks291
Homesteads for Hope320 BISCO 136-138
Brockport Food Shelf166
Brockport Area Vets Club221
Oak Orchard Health301-303
Healthy Living 210
Seymour Library 574
Brockport Community Connection 195
Fine Arts Series at SUNY Brockport 321
Families Thrive Inc 531
GSWNY Lakeridge Service Unit 265
OThER
DN Publishing 208
Past Present and Future
Treasures 329
Gibney 501
Dragonfly Jams & Jellies212
My Bookery Roc 38
Furever Yours Decor 316
The Hair Jeweler 178
Natural Butterflies 39
Victory Books 163
Messy Masterpiece LLC528
All Put Together 96-98
Pallets with a Purpose512
Dates in the States 336
Artsy Kitten Studios237
Enchanted Hearts Bamboo 297
Papillon marketplace322
Pebble Portraits 290
Fancy Leaf Designs 192
Sonni Amoroso 526
Little Night Lines 344
CaratCake 525
Tonawanda Seneca Nation44-45
Nikten Crochets and Creations 535
Willow Henna 289
Henna Rising 157
pAINTINg
Whimsydesignsbyjane.com332
Zhen Illustration 32
Artist’s Dilemma 518
Jen Callahan Artwork & Design 214
Karen Ryan Art 37 essenceoftheart 167
Wondrous World Designs282 Tutu crafts 325
Sponsors include:
Brockport Smiles, Backporch 585, Wegmans, URMC Strong West, Farm, Klafehn, Heise Johnson, Cappalletti’s Restaurant, 58 Main, Sweden Clarkson Recreation, Bridge Book Store, Pink Armadillo, Furniture, Weinstein Dental Group, Brisson, Brockport BPO Elks Lodge
Shauna DixonDream Vacations 274
M-Power Agency 335
K9 Resort Luxury Pet Hotel and Daycare 249
Music & Arts 279
Verizon 233
FIBER/LEAThER
Mary Lynn Whiteman253
KelCreations 283
Nicole’s Knits -Cole’s Crochet 88
HomeMade Crafts by Anita 230-232
K2 Custom Designs186
C.R.B. by HandCandy263
Fidget Made 226
Dazzling Designs 176
DeMoy Jewelry Designs247
Asia Howland 339
Ghana Ba African Beads
Gallery 529
mARKETpLACE
LuLaRoe Jessica SochaM105
Red Aspen M107
Thompson’s TreasuresM106
SMV Sports M103
Tastefully Simple M101
Tupperware M102
Stormsong Hollow MineralsM104
mETAL
Crafted Class 509
The Mad Plater 66
Foraged Pigment Art194
Anthony Rodriguez 315 Designs by Hearth & Soul341 Arts & Soul 347
Kasey Melissa Art 165
Sierra Moore - Face Painting278
SMS Studio & Craft349
Ming Xiong 523
Handpainted Magnets and Ornaments and Things by Carol 533
cozychillart 554
Golden Fluid Artistry 539 pETpRODuCTS
Barketeria 323
Paws Accessories 281
Cottage Creations 207
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“In
New Spurr Chevrolet owners continue community involvement
by Maggie Fitzgibbon for Brockport Arts Festival
When Danielle Lash purchased Spurr Chevrolet GMC in 2019, she knew that the dealership had a great reputation. She made it her mission to continue and build upon the groundwork set by Rick, Randy, and Dan Spurr.
Before owning automobile dealerships with her husband, Danielle was a litigation attorney in Manhattan. After a trip north, Danielle and her husband fell in love with Brockport and the Spurr dealership. They knew this was a special place where the pace was slower and people appreciated each other and their community. Danielle knew that she wanted to purchase the dealership and continue the Spurr’s legacy of outstanding service and a family-friendly atmosphere. The deal was finalized, and she officially became the new owner of the Brockport dealership.
Since that first day, Danielle has worked tirelessly to build both employee engagement and customer relations. She focuses on creating a positive and supportive work environment where employees feel valued, connected, and motivated. She loves to greet every customer, get to know who they are, and thank them for purchasing or servicing a vehicle at Spurr.
“We are a small dealership, and I’d like to think that we are a family. When I take a walk into our service area, I will find technicians willingly helping each other repair vehicles, knowing that they are on a timetable to get their own assigned vehicles repaired,” Danielle said. “It’s not often that you see this at other dealership repair shops.”
Team-building events like bowling parties, laser tag nights, family picnics, cornhole tournaments, and basketball games are regular activities that Danielle plans for staff. Armed with a megaphone and a cart full of ice cream, Danielle and her husband delivered frozen treats to staff during a recent hot summer afternoon following a lunch cookout.
“I want our staff to know how much we value them. I not only know everyone’s name, but I also know about them, their lives, and their families. This is so important to me. We want to maintain a workplace culture that is based upon care, respect, and safety, and create an environment where our employees are genuinely happy to come to work,” she said. “None of these after-work events or parties are
“I love to meet people. I make it a point to give my cell phone number to customers and ask them to please call me if they have questions or suggestions,” she said.
Danielle knows this is what sets Spurr apart from the other larger dealership groups. She believes that as corporations and businesses grow larger, personalized service is often lost. A sense of family is present as one walks through the doors of Spurr.
Supporting community needs and establishing strong neighborhood relationships is paramount to Danielle, whether that be visiting and donating to the Seymour Library, the VFW, area high schools, participating in charitable events, such as the NAMI walk, or meeting with area organizations. Spurr hosted an Adopt-a-Dog event to support the Humane Society. During the holiday season, Danielle and Spurr executive manager, Tammy Otto, served as judges at the Brockport Holiday Parade. She is a huge supporter of underprivileged children and even spends her sparse downtime as a guardian ad litem to foster children.
Danielle shared that the dealership is essentially her extended family, which is why she treats both customers and staff as such. Her passion for the business may have ignited a spark in one of her four children.
“Our youngest son has expressed profound interest in the business. We hope our dedication has inspired him. Brockport truly is a remarkable and unique place,” she said with a smile.
Spurr Chevrolet GMC is a platinum sponsor of the 2025 Brockport Arts Festival.
Spurr Owner, Danielle Lash, with Spurr’s Controller, Tammy Otto. Provided photo.
The ducks will take a dip in the Erie Canal during Sunday’s Duck Derby
by Maggie Fitzgibbon for Brockport Arts Festival
The Brockport Arts Festival Duck Derby is the culminating event of this popular community festival. This year’s derby is on Sunday, August 10, at 4 p.m. Spectators line the banks of the canal to watch as thousands of yellow rubber ducks leap off the side of the Brockport Lift Bridge and float down the canal.
Brockport Smiles and 585 Back Porch are the major sponsors of this year’s Duck Derby. RE/MAX Titanium is also the event organizer. Proceeds from the Duck Derby benefit the Brockport Arts Festival.
Over $5,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to the first and last ten ducks that cross the finish line. The costs to purchase a duck are simple: $5 for one duck, $20 buys a family flock of five, and a flock of 35 ducks can be
purchased for $100. Ducks can be purchased at the yellow Duck Derby tent during the two days of the Brockport Arts Festival.
Cindy Ingraham, RE/MAX Titanium real estate agent and Duck Derby volunteer, explained how race preparation begins months before the Duck Derby day.
“Boy Scout Troop 111 is a great help to this event. They count, sort, and make sure that the ducks are ready to take the sail down the canal,” she said. “On the day of the race, Arrowhead Golf Course and Marina lend us a boat, and Lions Club member Dave Moore assists with the collection of the ducks.”
Ingraham encourages folks to take a chance on ducks, help raise money, and maybe your duck might cross the finish line as one of the 20 winners.
“It’s so great to see people watch the race and cheer on the ducks.” she said.
Tonawanda Seneca Nation recognized by the Village of Brockport
by Maggie Fitzgibbon for Brockport Arts Festival
The Tonawanda Seneca Nation is one of the federally recognized Native American Nations in New York state and part of the Haudenosaunee (the Seneca word for people of the longhouse) Confederacy, also known as the Iroquois Confederacy or Six Nations. Their reservation covers 7,500 acres and is situated in western New York, near to the towns of Alabama and Basom, and is mostly in Genesee County, with parts extending into Erie and Niagara Counties.
Recently, the Village of Brockport passed a resolution acknowledging the Tonawanda Seneca Nation and their traditional territory where SUNY Brockport is now located.
Christine Abrams is the Tonawanda Seneca Nation Office Administrator for the Council of Chiefs. She explained the significance of this resolution and the impact this resolution will have on their Nation.
“This resolution has great significance for
our Nation. This village, along with many other villages and towns, are located on lands originally owned by our people. This acknowledgement lays the groundwork for other municipalities to follow suit and brings us all together in partnership,” Abrams said.
“We don’t ask or request these resolutions, but this recognition brings awareness to the land owned and occupied by our Indigenous ancestors and how it was taken away from our people.”
Kathy Kristansen, former Village of Brockport Trustee and Brockport Arts Festival Co-Chair, shared how this information was brought to the attention of the Village Board and how the resolution came to be.
“Dr. Neal Keating, Associate Professor of Cultural Anthropology at SUNY Brockport, made a presentation to the Village Board last fall regarding land acknowledgement with the Tonawanda Seneca Nation. He presented the idea that we consider acknowledging that the land that we live on was acquired through treaties with the Nation,”
Kristansen said. “We saw the opportunity to not only acknowledge the land but also to bring awareness to our community of the Nation at the Brockport Arts Festival through information, art and dance. A way to bring us together in conversation, understanding and harmony.”
Kristansen also noted the significance of the resolution. “The resolution opens the door for mutual understanding and conversation leading to a more respectful and harmonious relationship.”
Kristansen recently had the opportunity to meet Abrams at a SUNY Brockport event.
“I had the opportunity to attend the SUNY Brockport Diversity Conference session featuring members of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation. This conference was very helpful to me in that it provided me with the chance to educate myself about Seneca culture and their ways of life,” Kristansen said. “A conversation with Christine and others led to being invited to visit the reservation and make plans for the Nation to be in attendance and
Brockport Arts FestivAl
represented at the Brockport Arts Festival. A new and respectful relationship with very special people has begun.”
The Tonawanda Seneca Nation will participate in the Brockport Arts Festival in a few different ways.
“We will have two vendor spaces for our Nation’s citizens to display and sell their goods, along with materials about the Tonawanda Seneca Nation. We want people to know that we are protesting the expansion of the STAMP project, a science and technology, and advanced manufacturing park development located in Genesee County,” Abrams explained. “Our Nation opposes this development due to the noise, light, water, and air pollution, its impact on our natural resources, erosion of green space, and how it will harm ecological and human health.”
Abrams also shared, “Our youth performers will present our traditional Tonawanda Seneca Nation dances throughout the weekend.”
Duck Derby volunteers and RE/MAX Titanium agents: Cindy Ingraham, Lavonda Wooden, Stacey Costello, and Joe Avery. Provided photo.
Ducks splash down in the canal. File photo.