Essex Initiatives will host the 50th annual Essex Day celebration on Main Street in downtown Essex, NY on Saturday, August 3rd from 10am – 2pm.

“Downtown Essex Day” began as a small local festival, organized by community members in 1974. Essex resident Jan Peden is credited with conceiving the event, which consisted of neighbors selling clothes, knick-knacks, and kitchen supplies along Main Street. Since then, the event has grown into a full-fledged block party with live music, food trucks, craft vendors, and more!

This year, Essex Initiatives will mark the 50th anniversary of the first Essex Day with musical performances by Too Tall String Band (10 am) and Mark Henry (12:30 pm); food from The Pink Pig, Essex Ice Cream Cafe, The Old Dock, the Essex Inn, Indian Bay Marina’s Pizza On Point, and Papa Duke’s BBQ; over 40 artisans and crafters; a town-wide yard sale; unique finds at brick-and-mortar Main Street shops, special kids’ activities and more!

Entrance to the family-friendly event is free and open to the public. Live music for Essex Day is made possible, in part, by the Essex County Arts Council’s Cultural Assistance Program Grant with funding provided by Essex County.

Essex Initiatives is a volunteer-run 501c3 nonprofit, with a mission of promoting the Town of Essex for community and commercial interests. The organization puts on several community events throughout the year, including Essex Day, Holidays in Essex, and The Haunted Hamlet, which is a collaboration with The Town of Essex.

For additional information please go to VisitEssexNY.com