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June 8, 2017Upper Union Street Announces 12th Annual Strawberry Fest Saturday, June 17
The Upper Union Street, Schenectady Business Improvement District (BID) has announced Saturday, June 17 as the date for its 12th Annual Strawberry Fest & Art Show. Features of the day-long street festival include fresh strawberries and strawberries served many ways, music, food, fashion show, children’s activities, Home Furnishings flea market, free face painting, drum circle, pony rides, baby farm animals, retail promotions, gourmet marketplace and farmers’ market.
To date bands include: The Longbow Trio at Hot Harry’s Fresh Burritos and two bands composed of recent graduates of the Music Department as Schenectady County Community College: HaNG Trio at Phillips Hardware and the Madeline Civill Trio at Gershon’s Deli. Additional music includes “Dancing on the Sidewalk” by Dance Me Studio and Voice of the Grove Drum Circle at Trustco Bank.
The Strawberry Fest is a way for Upper Union Street businesses to thank their current customers and clients for their patronage and to increase awareness of the iconic shopping district to those who have yet to discover the area. Free samples and free raffles of attractive product-filled baskets sweeten the deal.
“Upper Union Street’s newest business Bread from Brooklyn will be open for Strawberry Fest,” said Christopher Mastroianni, Chair of the Upper Union Street BID, proprietor of The Last Gentleman Co. and partner at Michael’s Shoe Service. “The new bakery represents a wonderful addition to our retail mix. We probably have a greater concentration of eating establishments on four short blocks of Upper Union Street than most business neighborhoods, shopping plazas or food courts offer,” said Christopher Mastroianni, Chair of the Upper Union Street BID, proprietor of The Last Gentleman Co. and partner at Michael’s Shoe Service. The global array of restaurants includes Gershon’s Deli, Scotti’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, Mr. Wasabi Sushi Restaurant, Golden House Chinese, Hunan Wok, Home Style Pizza, Hot Harry’s Fresh Burritos, Union Café, Tesoros Café, Subway, Stewarts, McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, Bruggers Bagels, I Love NY Pizza, Pizza Hut, Beer Universe, and Pizza Buono & Fresh Juice & Smoothie Bar.
Fresh strawberries from local farms will be sold at both the Gourmet Marketplace and the Farmers Market. Free strawberry ice cream cups will be given to the first 100 visitors at Empress Travel. McDonalds has medium strawberry milk shakes for $1.99. The outdoor grill will be fired up on Gershon Deli’s patio with burgers and dogs and a tasty menu that includes strawberry shortcake and mini strawberry pies. Hot Harry’s will be dishing up their famous strawberry salsa with tostadas. Isabella Sementilli, pre-teen daughter of Scotti’s Restaurant & Pizzeria owner, Guy Sementilli, will be selling “Iznettes” (her own scratch baked Italian cookies). Gourmet Marketplace vendors include. Electric City Roasters, Buhrmaster Farms, Electric City Food Co-Op, Thousand Island Winery and Evergreen Olive Oil Company.
Retail promotions include an indoor / outdoor sidewalk sale and a Trunk Show by Marigold’s at Musler’s. Other business offerings include free face painting and a free gift at One Huge Shop For You, at their new 1716 Union Street location. Other attractive “freebies” include free dog treats and bandanas at Head to Tail Pet Wellness Center, free “Break-a-Board activity for kids at Pai’s Tae kwon Do, free bead art activity and 2 PM Fashion Show at Ferri’s Formals & Bridal, Sondra’s Fine Jewelry is celebrating 20 years in business and will host the Animal Protective Foundation and sell gorgeous crystal Paw Pins for $5.00 while they last. Store visitors have an opportunity to take a chance on a free drawing for an Honora Pearl Necklace at Sondra’s.
Community groups participating include the Veteran’s Miracle Center, Home Furnishings with their popular “Flea Market”, Berkshire Farms, St. Kateri Tekawitha School, Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church, Via Port with free aquarium related crafts for kids, Balloon Buddies and the Animal Protective Foundation.
Visiting vendors include Avon, It Works, Kat’s Silverline, Thousand Island Winery and Evergreen Olive Oil Co. and Weird Beard Candle Company. Trend –setting Young Living Essential Oils will offer information on using essential oils, toxin-free living and oil-infused supplements. Wholesale memberships (24% off) will be available with the purchase of Premium Starter Kits.
