When members of the McKean County Historical Association were tossing around ideas on an idyllic venue for a fundraiser, all agreed that the serene Hamlin Lake and its lush island in Smethport, Pa. offered the perfect location.
Now in its second year, the event, aptly named “Arts on the Island” will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 23 and 24 at Hamlin Lake Park, located in the center of the community. The event, which has free admission, will have a variety of hand-made arts and crafts, vendors, food, live music and other activities that include a car show and fireworks.
Bart Barton, a member of the historical association’s board, said conducting the event on the island had been a dream of his for quite some time.
“I’ve been pushing (for the festival) for years because we have that beautiful island there and it wasn’t being used for anything,” Barton explained. “I kept telling everybody that it’s got to be a moneymaker if you have an arts and crafts show, because people are bound to come to the thing.”
Barton said the event, which will benefit the historical associations’ Old Jail Museum on West King Street, has been spruced up for the event. He said visitors should be pleasantly surprised with the beauty of the park and lake, thanks to work crews with the borough.
“People with the park have done a fantastic job down there,” he continued. “It’s really nice and they have it mowed to perfection – it’s just absolutely beautiful.”
Barton said a new event at this year’s festival will be the luminaria sale for those who want to honor or memorialize individuals.
“We put together 500 kits and they’re for sale at different places” for $3 each in town and on the island, he continued. “The bags (containing sand and a candle) can be decorated and will be lit Saturday night around the lake and will burn until they burn out.”
Barton said the committee also decided to have kayaking on the lake both days for visitors.
“Last year, Corky Hull was here and had his two home-built kayaks on the lake,” he said of the Smethport resident. “This year, we’re not going to have (Hull’s boats), but will have others that people will lend to us. It will be a free thing and you can just take a kayak and go for a ride on the lake.”
He said the fireworks, a street dance and car show are all expected to add a wider variety of activities for visitors.
“If we can keep increasing this every year, then down the road we could end up having something” similar to festivals in other communities, he added.
Board member Flo Carter said she and other committee members have put a lot of hard work into the event.
“We’ve been working months on this,” Carter said. “We’re working with all the other organizations in town, too” including the Smethport Area Chamber of Commerce and the Smethport Volunteer Fire Department.
She said the various events taking place should keep everyone entertained.
“We’re even going to have a victory lap around town after they do the judging at the car show,” Carter added with a laugh. She said the American Refining Group in Bradford has donated five checkered flags for the event.
In addition to donations from visitors, the historical association will receive some of the proceeds for the vendors’ fees to set up booths, registration fees for cars in the show and the sale of the luminaria bags.
Carter noted vendors can register to be in the event up until the Friday before the event.
“I think it will be a fun weekend,” Carter concluded.
The schedule of events include the following activities:
n Arts and craft vendors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Some vendors may stay open until the fireworks start.
n Local musicians both days.
n Kayaking on Hamlin Lake from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Sunday. Donations will support the historical association.
n Street Dreams Car Club of the Bradford Car Show Saturday. Cars start arriving 10 a.m. with judging from 3 to 4 p.m., followed by the parade.
n Gas card drawing between 3 and 4 p.m. Saturday, sponsored by the Smethport Lions Club.
n Eyeglasses and hearing aids can be donated to the Lions Club on the island both days.
n Parade at 4 p.m. Saturday, sponsored by the McKean County Fair Association.
n McKean County Luminary Art Project, Saturday. Bags can be brought to the society booth from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Society volunteers will begin lighting them on the island at dusk. Bags can be retrieved from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, and the ceremonial burning of unclaimed bags will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
n Fireworks at dusk Saturday, sponsored by the Smethport Volunteer Fire Department.
n Street dance, 7 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, sponsored by the Smethport Chamber of Commerce.
n Smethport Rotary Duck Race, 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $5 and available from any Smethport Rotarian, or at the festival.
