Beautiful Essex, NY will hold its annual Downtown Essex Day on Saturday, August 4th, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Essex Day was started 39 years ago as a clambake when a handful of residents wanted to spice up the last month of summer. Neighbors contributed to the celebration by making pies, cookies, and ice cream. It became a yearly event, morphing into a market day with homemade goodies and handcrafted items being offered for sale to whoever happened along the streets.

OPEN MIC and Live Music join over 30 exhibitors and artists from across Essex County and Vermont. All will assemble on Main Street and on Route 22 behind the Town Hall to offer a wide array of hand crafted items. Meeting crafters adds a personal touch. There will be homemade pies and baked goods, local farm products, crafts, jewelry, collectibles, antiques, and local artwork. Many historic buildings on Main Street are home to shops and cafes that will be welcoming all Essex Day visitors. Book lovers will enjoy the annual book sale at the Belden Noble Library, across from the ferry dock. Kids will love the ice cream shop, face painting at the Adirondack Art Association from noon to 2:00 p.m., and the playground and picnic area at Beggs Park. Food is available at several locations throughout the town, including the annual Hot Dogs for High Peaks Hospice fundraiser, orchestrated by Lila Touhey and served up by Wayne Bailey and his colorful array of helpers, including Lila! The Essex Community Church will also have a quilt exhibit in its sanctuary as well as refreshments and water for sale outside. Finally, the Ashmont Boys Choir performs evensong at St. John’s, 4:00pm.

Event organizers are working to make this the best year ever, with something for everyone to enjoy. The fun begins at 10:00 and ends at 4:00 p.m. and will be held rain or shine. Downtown Essex Day is sponsored by Essex Initiatives, a 501(c)(3), community based organization. For more information, call 518-963-7494 or send email to thecupolahouse@gmail.com.