MedusaFest in May, ‘A little bit maker movement, and a little bit TEDx’
RENSSELAERVILLE — A spring festival in the Medusa hamlet weaves together strands of the community every year to raise funds for the fire company. This year, it will feature talks by prominent local speakers, a business fair, and a “kids’ art lab.”
Robert Neid, executive director of the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities, and William Logan, an arborist and author of Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth, will give talks at MedusaFest, held on Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ted Rice, vice president of the fire company, expects the festival to be busy this year, with almost 30 business vendors scheduled.
The Medusa hamlet is on Route 351, where vendors will line the street and foods will be available in the Medusa firehouse, including its chicken barbecue.
Children may dress in their playclothes for messy, artistic activities like frame painting and sculpting playdough.
Musical groups performing at the festival include Peckham Hollow, Medusa Moonshine, and the Ron Torven Band. A rummage sale will be held at the United Church of Christ.
The festival is free to attend, though donations are appreciated, with all money going to the Medusa Volunteer Fire Company. People interested in learning more about the event or volunteering, April Caprio, co-owner of the Medusa General Store, may be reached by e-mail at april.roggio@gmail.com and by phone at 239-6980, and they can visit medusasmallbusinessfair.blogspot.com.