MASSENA - It will be tough to find a spot that’s not taken by a vendor during today’s annual Greater Massena Chamber of Commerce Harvest Festival.

“We have a serious number of vendors. They’re coming out of the woodwork. We’ve been marking the spots and we have close to 70 vendors,” chamber Executive Director Michael J. Gleason said.

Since its inception, Mr. Gleason said the Harvest Festival has had a following that continues to grow among vendors.

“We have fame and notoriety from all over the northeast. We’re bringing in people from all over. They’ve been calling us since January,” he said, noting they were expecting the numerous vendors to offer information, demonstrations and items for sale.

Among the vendors who have signed up are Let’s Go Fishin’ Charters; Seaway Valley Ambulance; Phil & Jackie’s; JoCi Jewelry; Tastefully Simple; Simply You Wellness Spa; St. Mary’s & St. Joseph’s Church; Mary Romeo; Forevermore Studio; Bows & a Bit More; Back the Pack; Massena Public Library; Lottie Hurd; Miss D’S Alpacas; Sandy Mariano; Team Memory Keepers; Animal Food Pantry; and Friends of the Robert Moses State Park Nature Center.

Also scheduled to be set up on Main Street are Judi Shutts; Massena Farmer’s Market; St. Lawrence Association of Paranormal Science; B&G Sales; Scentsy Candles; Massena Rescue Squad; Cape Air; The Goat to Girl; Lil Ladies Bands and Bows; IYQ Balloon Décor; Cubby T. Clown; Diane Quicke; Knights of Columbus Auxiliary; Cheri Farnsworth; Maurices; St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES; Snowy Mountain Crafts & Novelties; “What a Dish”; and Mary Kay Cosmetics.

The list also includes Stella & Dot Jewelry; MK’s Jewelry; Nickki’s Caricatures; Deb’s Do Dads; Thirty-One; Jeremy Taylor & Linda Morrell; Sawdust Treasures; Holy Name of Jesus Academy; Martz Communications; Susan & Pat; Caruso’s Creations; Massena Fire Department; Stephens Media Group; Reality Check-Seaway Valley Prevention; Turtle Island Kennels; Mimi’s Italian Cookies & More; Breezy Maple Farms; The Nut Shop International; Massena Mason’s; Make your own Scarecrow; Cross-Current Ministries; Rosario’s; and Northrop’s Hilltop Nursery.

Mr. Gleason said there will be something for everyone, including scarecrow making and pumpkin painting for the kids.

“We just picked up the pumpkins. We have 250 pumpkins to paint. They’re the perfect size. They’re a little smaller for kids so they can carry them,” he said.

Mark Bogdan will also have his life-size Candy Land game set up downtown, Cubby T. Clown will be on hand along with a free bounce house for the kids, and there will be face painting, pony rides and a children’s craft activity sponsored by SeaComm Federal Credit Union.

Entertainment will be provided by Ray Gardner and Donnie Woodcock; the chamber will have a food booth set up outside their offices and the farmer’s market will also be set up.

“It’s a good weekend. The kids are back in school, so everybody’s back in town and there’s lots of stuff for them to do,” Mr. Gleason said.

The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Main Street will be blocked off from East Orvis to Andrews Street during the event.

This year’s sponsors are A. Cappione, Inc., the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino and SeaComm Federal Credit Union.

Mr. Gleason said he’s happy to see the Harvest Festival attracting the number of vendors and visitors that it does, a number that continues to grow from year to year.

“This is what I was hoping it was going to be. We have people coming from all over the place,” he said.

More information is available on the chamber’s website at www.massenachamber.com.

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