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Admission is free of charge, so bring the whole family to enjoy live music, food and plenty of children’s activities.
“Gateway House relies on donations and fundraising, so this is one of our best events,” said the festival’s primary organizer, Tina Levielle-Briscoe. “Most of the businesses here joined forces and we close Henry Street from Lake Avenue all the way to Caroline Street. Every business moves out into the street and does something special to bring it all together.”
The festival is a labor of love for Levielle-Briscoe. Her idea was to create an annual event that would raise both money and awareness for the Gateway House hospice facility in Ballston Spa.
Local businesses are getting in on the fun, with unique promotions like the “Get Your Blue Streak On” hair extensions at Simplicity Salon and a wine tasting at Scallions restaurant. Irish step dancers will be performing with the Forthlin Road Band and the Saratoga Celtic Music Session at The Parting Glass pub.
For the kids, stop by Saratoga Beads or Saratoga Paint ‘N’ Sip for crafts, as well as face and pumpkin painting stations. The Saratoga Springs Public Library will be doing Children’s “Just Joking” and have games and a bean bag toss. WHMT and PBS Kids will be offering music-related crafts while their sister station WEXT will provide music for families and children.
Several locally-operated vendor stations will be open for business during the festival, including: Eat Good Food, Sunnyside Gardens, Saratoga Clay Arts Center, Thousand Island Winery, The Chocolate Spoon, Chane’s Deli and many more.
While you’re browsing the vendor market or trying some tasty food, be sure to take in the acoustic-styling of Tom Choinier, Nancy Walker, Gary Moon and Matt McCabe.
Levielle-Briscoe says the need for end-of-life care facilities is vital to not only those suffering from incurable illnesses and their families, but also the hospitals and other facilities currently housing end-of-life patients.
“We took over the old Red Cross building about six months after the very first Harvest Festival, and now we have a house that we’ve been renovating and working toward having continued support,” said Levielle-Briscoe. “The organization is all fundraising and donation-based.”
Gateway House is a 501(c) 3 charitable hospice that is a 100 percent volunteer and donor-driven, community-owned organization, which receives no insurance reimbursements, government or public funding. Once completed, the facility will provide a safe, nurturing, home-like environment free of charge for Saratoga County residents who are under the medical care of Community Hospice of Saratoga.
Gateway House is currently in its remodeling phase, and is always looking for skilled volunteers to help install plumbing, wood flooring and bathroom tiles. If you’re interested in volunteering some of your time to such a great cause, visit www.gatewayhouseofpeace.org or call (518) 654-5403. Anyone wishing to send donations through the mail may use the house’s physical address at 479 Rowling Street in Ballston Spa, 12020.
