BALLSTON SPA — For Mark Blech, who oversees the birdhouse program in Ballston Spa, watching people’s faces light up when they see the birdhouses or find the one they designed is what he’s looking forward to most at the program’s 5th annual Birdhouse Festival this Sunday.
“I love to see the wonderment and the excitement of the children and the seniors and the veterans and see everyone come together,” Blech said.
Over the last several months more than 1,000 birdhouses have been decorated by community members ranging in age from 4 to 94 and from Albany to Vermont, according to a release on the event. The birdhouses are hung throughout the village’s retail district all summer as well as at Wiswall Park and Front Street, where the festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There is also a 16-foot-tall sculptural bird house constructed by students of the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES at the park for people to view.
“The birdhouse program is an incredible community-oriented program that’s unique to the village of Ballston Spa”, said Mayor Frank Rossi. “It’s what makes Ballston Spa so special, to see people work together to make our village come alive with color, artwork and community spirit”.
During the festival, Ross and Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh will present 60 ‘Mayors Awards.” Rossi, Deputy Mayor Bernadette VanDeinse and festival chairwoman Mary Price-Bush helped select the recipients of the award.
“Working with the mayor and Trustee VanDeinse to select 60 birdhouses for the ‘Mayor’s Award’ was wonderful,” said Price-Bush. “Everyone put their heart and soul into creating such amazing artwork.” She goes on to say, “We’d like to thank everyone for participating in this year’s program. I’m so proud to be a part of this community; everyone cares so much about making our village a great place to live.”
The festival also will feature free crafts and games for kids, music, other entertainment, food and various vendors. Miller’s BBQ will have chicken and pulled pork meals available. The Ballston Spa Fire Department will show off its new heavy rescue fire truck and the village’s Department of Public Works will have equipment on display, according to the release.
The rain date for the event is June 18.
Front Street will be closed to traffic for the festival and people are asked to park on side streets or the Saratoga County Office Building parking lot.
Sponsors of the event include Curtis Lumber, the Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust, Saratoga County, the town of Milton, Slic Fiber, New York Army National Guard and Verdant Architecture.
Reporter Shenandoah Briere can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @ByBriere.
Categories: News, Saratoga County
