Weather blesses Craft and Car Show

PHOTOGRAPHER: David Lombardo

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A hot and clear autumn day drew hundreds to the Maple Ski Ridge’s fourth Fall Festival Craft and Car Show.

“This year the weather has been phenomenal,” said Ski Ridge spokeswoman Kate Michener, who described the event as continuously growing. “We definitely deserve it. The whole Capital District deserves it after this summer.”

Dozens of craft vendors were lined up inside and outside the lodge. People strolling by the tables had their choice of an eclectic mix, including homemade pillow beds for pets, baked goods and wooden toy cars.

There were also hamburgers, pizza and french fries among other fair food, but the most popular food item was miniature cider doughnuts.

The craft vendors were the main attraction for Michener, who said it was ideal opportunity for holiday shopping. “I have done a little bit of it,” she said, which she called a “perk” of her job.

Patrick Muldoon of Niskayuna had come to the festival with his young daughter Miya to see his friend’s car and to explore the other festivities. After painting a pumpkin, they entered a kid play zone, where Miya took to jumping in the Bouncy Bounce. The kid zone included a hay maze and some other carnival-type games, like throwing a ball through holes in a wall.

“It’s pretty nice,” said Muldoon. “It’s funny, I’ve never actually been up here before.”

He said it had a community feel to it, which was demonstrated a few minutes later when friends waved to him.

Michener added that everyone at the festival was very welcoming, and argued that there is a closeness that you can’t find in places like Albany. “In this community we’re friends,” she said.

Aside from the vendors, nearly 100 cars turned up to compete for prizes. The gleaming vehicles radiated brightly for the crowds of people and the owners were proud to show them off.

Organizer of the car show Missi Svoboda said it serves as a fundraiser for victims of flooding in the area, with the $10 entry fee for each car going to a related cause.

One of the cars was a 1955 Chevy, owned by Len McGeary of Middleburgh. The car is something of a family heirloom, as he bought it from his uncle. “It’s a nice show,” he said, predicting that his car would be back next year.

He added that, while his house was spared from the flooding, he appreciated the fundraiser, as many people in his neighborhood are still dealing with the aftermath.

“It’s great because there is the craft fair for my wife, the kid zone for my daughter and the car show for me,” McGeary said. “It works for everybody.”

McGeary said they would try some other things in the kid zone, but joked that it would be after his daughter finished her nap in the Bouncy Bounce.