The Herkimer Area Resource Center, Folts Homes and the village of Herkimer are gearing up for a grand celebration on July 11, as for the first time, they combine their efforts to bring a festival and celebration to the local community.
The Folts Homes’ fourth annual “Summer Strawberry Festival” this year is being held in conjunction with HARC’s fifth annual “Life is Beautiful Festival,” and coming together with the larger scale General Herkimer Days, the festivities will breach the divide of Washington Street, taking place both on the campus of the Folts Homes grounds and the parking lot of the HARC center.
“It is shaping up to be like a huge block party,” said Linda Cardarelli, director of Folts Homes, “It just seemed to make so much more sense to combine our efforts.”
Things at HARC will get under way at 11 a.m., with the annual “A Walk in My Shoes” event, which features a walk of the downtown area, from the parking lot of the HARC building, down to Main Street, onto Court Street, and back up Washington Street.
“It is our goal to raise awareness in the community of people with disabilities,” said Dominic Frank, director of Business, Development and Community Relations at HARC. There are already more than 200 pre-registered walkers for the event, which Katie Nichols, Herkimer village trustee will be presiding over as Grand Marshal.
“We are thrilled that Ms. Nichols is taking part in this important event,” said Frank. Herkimer Village Police will be leading off the march, with the fire department following in its wake. “This year, we will be walking in style,” said Tony Vennera, director of Special Events and Projects at HARC.
Also kicking off at 11 a.m. is the HARC-sponsored “Cruise to Care Poker Run” where motorcycles and classic cars will be making their runs, stopping at various HARC centers throughout the region, where residents and staff will be serving them treats and beverages.
“It’s a great way for our folks to interact with the community,” said Vennera. The poker run will also begin and end at the HARC parking lot.
“While this is a day for raising community awareness, it is also a fund-raising event for us,” said Frank, “With all proceeds raised going towards unfunded projects within the HARC program.”
At the Summer Strawberry Festival, there will be plenty of sweets and treats to tempt the whole family. Along the “Shoppers Stroll,” there will be craft vendors on hand, displaying their wares for sale, while in celebration of the month of the strawberry, there will be shortcake, and a host of other tempting strawberry delights, all made from strawberries donated by local growers. There will be a children’s corner which will include the zoo-mobile, a movie station for the kids, “Kind of like a drive-in movie!” said Cardarelli, as well as a creation station.
A Chinese auction will be happening throughout the day, with items such as children’s bicycles and a laptop computer up for bid. The village police will be on hand promoting their Public Safety Program. Live entertainment will feature the Performing Arts Group from Herkimer County Community College, and the performance group “Music, Magic and Mime.” Across the street, at the HARC festival, the No Name Jazz Band will be performing from noon to 2 p.m., and Stone Soup will be taking the stage from 3 to 5 p.m.
General Herkimer Days festivities will also include a Friday night Block Party at Stoney’s Tavern and a Saturday night Block Party at the Albany Street Cafe, beginning at 6 p.m.
“This truly is a weekend for the entire family to enjoy,” said Vennera, “We are hoping the community will come out in support of it.” The  joining of the three events, two of which focus their attention upon the needs of the disabled in the community, shows the truly beautiful nature of a small town setting, and that much more can be accomplished by working together.
“It is truly going to be a fantastic weekend,” said Frank, “And we are all looking forward to it.”