“We can’t have nice weather every weekend,” joked Donna Warner, a vendor at the festival.

But then all of a sudden, the rain stopped and one of the signature annual events of Fredonia returned as if it never left. Amidst puddles on the sidewalks of Barker Commons, the 54th annual Fredonia Farm Festival commenced on Friday afternoon.

Lori Bender of Fred’s Farms said, “It’s exciting that we’re back. We have been here ever since it started. The Farm Festival is a great thing to our community.”

Fredonia Mayor Doug Essek put down his umbrella and took the gazebo stage to speak about his excitement for the event to be back in Fredonia this year.

Submitted Photo Colleen Yerico, of Yerico Farms, is the Grand Marshall of the Fredonia Farm Festival.

“It’s been two years in the making coming back, between COVID and some construction in the park. I’m very happy that the Farm Festival is back here in Barker Commons where it belongs,” Essek said. “The Farm Festival is 54 years running strong and hopefully another 54 years more.”

Colleen Yerico, of Yerico Farms, was “honored to be the grand marshal of the Farm Festival” and officially declared the festival open. The Patsy & Dottie Variety Show then took the stage to perform live music for the vendors and shoppers in attendance.

The initially small crowd grew over the next hour as the sky cleared. Vendors both old and new filled the rain-soaked grounds of Barker Commons.

“I love it, now that the rain stopped,” joked Susan Jaczewski, a new vendor from Hamburg. Jaczewski’s business, Comfy Bandits & More, makes custom dog bandanas and hand-rolled flower shadow boxes. Comfy Bandits & More has visited many festivals over the years, but this is their first year visiting Fredonia.

The Farm Festival will continue throughout the weekend, with performers scheduled for the gazebo stage and vendors all weekend long.