The Acton BIA is holding a scaled down version of the Leathertown Festival this year, in conjunction with the Farmers Market on Thursday, September 9 from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Little Leathertown will stretch across both sides of Willow Street to accommodate performers, craft demonstrations, a mini car show, a food truck, and even motorcycle side-car rides, presented by Old Vintage Cranks. Acton UP will also be broadcasting the event and musical performances live on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/leathertownfestival
The festival came together quickly and was the brain child of Mark Stanley, co-owner of 70 Below Treats at 9B Mill Street East, according to BIA Coordinator Alex Hilson. “Mark wanted badly to do something this year, he felt we couldn't let this thing go, considering the cancellation of the Fall Fair and this year's street festival. Things are starting to happen, and farmers markets are allowed, so he wondered why we couldn't do something in Acton to combine the two.”
(Photo: Fred Penner performing at 2019 Leathertown Festival)
The regular farmers market vendors will still be on the north side of Willow Street, and a performance area will be set up on Willow South. Musical entertainment includes solo performer Chris Krupey and the Mill Street Band, featuring Joe Mancuso. Craft demonstrations include soap-making by Natasha Dahl, leather crafting by Zina Pallister of the Concept Leather Company, and a pottery wheel demo by Janice Dalziel of ZenDen Pottery Studio.
Expect to see regular hot dog vendor Gordon Rugg in his usual spot in front of the Town Hall Centre. Elaine Munroe of Georgetown will also be bringing her food truck business, Brisket Slow Cooked Gourmet Sandwiches and will be parked at the south end of Willow Street.
“We're also planning a little car show and maybe some more vendors on the south side,” said Hilson. “A portable stage will be available for the musicians and we'll have multiple cameras set up to live stream the event. John and Lynda Brasz have kindly let us use their internet connection. We also have to thank major sponsors, Sarah Brophy-Platts of Royal LePage Escarpment Realty and Chris Golden of Acton UP for making this possible.”
(Photo - Splash and Boots performing 2018 Leathertown Festival)
COVID-19 has been particularly tough on small town festivals that are so much a part of their communities, according to Leathertown Festival event coordinator Kim Duncanson. “The 2019 festival was a great success. We were even named among the Top 100 Festivals & Events in Ontario. We couldn't hold the street festival last year because of the pandemic so in 2020 we pivoted and made a video presentation that got close to 9,000 views on Facebook. It makes sense to hold ‘Little Leathertown’ this year in anticipation of an even bigger Leathertown Festival in 2022,” she said.
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