Farm 2 Fork Festival returns with ‘Adirondack Cookout’

SARANAC LAKE — The 2017 Farm 2 Fork Festival will be held here at Riverside Park on Saturday, Sept. 2.

This year’s theme is Adirondack Cookout. The menu includes grilled Mace Chasm sausage, vegetable lasagna, Dak & Dill Pickles, salsa, coleslaw, garlic and herb roasted potatoes, and apple crisp.

“Our menu reflects the diversity of products available from local farmers and showcases how easy it is for consumers to turn those products into home cooked meals,” said Hannah Gibbons-Arthur of the festival’s organizing committee. “We’ve got live music, great food, funs and games—what more do you need?”

The inaugural Heirloom Award will be handed out at the festival, honoring a local person that goes above and beyond to support local farmers and local food. The first recipient will be Farm 2 Fork Festival founder Gail Brill of Saranac Lake.

“From running the Adirondack Green Circle to organizing community events like Farm 2 Fork, Gail proves over and over again that her heart is here in Saranac Lake, and that she’s deeply committed to expanding support of local foods and farms,” said Jacob Vennie-Vollrath, also a member of the festival’s organizing committee.

The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in conjunction with the regular Saturday farmers market. It’s organized by a local committee of volunteers, with help from Adirondack Farm to School.

Farm 2 Fork is proud to once again partner with Taste NY, launched by Governor Andrew Cuomo and run by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to highlight the quality, diversity, and economic impact of food and beverages produced throughout New York State.

The musical act for this year’s festival is Maribyrd, who’s known as “New Jersey’s Joni Mitchell.” She plays acoustic guitar, mandolin, a little bass, and loves singing harmonies.

Play ADK will be onsite, too, with founder Rob Carr offering up play-based interpretive activities for children.

The Saranac Lake Village Farmers’ Market runs throughout the day; visitors are encouraged to purchase goods from vendors and try some of the day’s recipes. Additionally, Saranac Lake’s lively downtown is just a short walk from Riverside Park.

This year’s festival is sponsored by Adirondack Health, Mike Foote State Farm, Taste NY, and Select Sotheby's International Realty. North Country Public Radio is media sponsor for the event.

For festival updates, visit www.farm2forkfestival.com or visit our Facebook page, Farm 2 Fork Festival in Saranac Lake.

For more information about the Farm 2 Fork Festival, or to get involved, please contact Hannah Gibbons-Arthur at hmgibbon@gmail.com.