Northern Chautauqua County needed some good news. It came on Thursday afternoon when a number of businesses and the village of Fredonia announced plans to hold the 56th Farm Festival.

In a news release on Thursday, officials announced the event will take place Saturday, Aug. 24, and Sunday, Aug. 25 in Barker Common. It will be sponsored by DFT Communications, Kravitz Tree Service and Chautauqua County and organized by an independent committee co-chaired by Lauren Boyle and Greg Krauza.

“I am so proud and thankful for the way the community embraced this event,” village Mayor Michael Ferguson said. “We are lucky to have so many individuals and businesses that reached out to me to offer their resources. I made it clear a few weeks ago we need this festival to continue and I am happy to say the Fredonia Farm Festival will be here for its 56th year.”

Many in the region expressed their disappointment in recent weeks regarding the announcement last month that the festival would not be happening.

However, instead of just lamenting the loss, a number of community members came together to start planning for the major endeavor.

More community help will be needed moving forward that include volunteer opportunities, becoming a food or craft vendor, and participating in the parade. If any businesses or individuals are interested in sponsoring an event or activity they can email farmfestivalfredonia@gmail.com.

As previous volunteers will note, the event is a heavy lift. The more who can help will ease some of that burden.