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SCHENECTADY
Festival entertains crowd, showcases neighborhood
Music, art, businesses on display at upper Union Street
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Justin Mason at 395-3113 or jmason@dailygazette.net.

    Claire Sweeney’s fingers danced across the strings of her fiddle Saturday, as the chords of an Irish medley resonated through the crowds of people walking along upper Union Street.
    The 10-year-old prodigy wasn’t bashful about playing “O’Keefe’s Slide” without a single sheet of music and in front of the strollers passing by the Dean Street Circle during the Upper Union Street Business Improvement District’s Harvest Fest. But when it came to addressing her admirers, the shy fifth-grader let her tutor do all the talking.
    “She’s incredible,” commented Jane Rothfield, her teacher, who admitted she’s even learning things from the nearly pitch-perfect youngster. “And she learns it all by ear.”
    Rothfield, also the business district’s executive director, accompanied Sweeney in serenading a robust crowd that turned out for the third annual street festival. Sunshine and autumn temperatures drew hundreds of revelers from throughout the Capital Region.
    This year, the event featured an art show with nearly a dozen area artists and a gourmet food market showcasing five local businesses. The festival also featured the fall harvest at the Union Street Farmers’ Market, which will conclude its season at the end of October.
    “All that adds up to good fun,” Rothfield said.
    Guy Sementilli, the chef-owner of Scotti’s Restaurant and board chairman of the district, said this year’s festival seemed to up the ante from last year’s event, which he also considered a success. He said the event will help draw more attention to some of the nearly 70 businesses that are flourishing amid upper Union Street’s ongoing revival.
    “The object of Harvest Fest is to showcase what we have as a nice neighborhood and business district,” he said. “Every year, it gets better and better.”
    Deb Angilletta and Chick Owens of Jay Street Studios were among the local artists with work on display at the festival. Though they hadn’t sold much during the afternoon, both said they had great exposure during the event.
    “There have been tons of people,” Angilletta said.
    The event also welcomed the latest tenant to move to upper Union Street. State and local dignitaries welcomed the Schenectady Armed Forces Recruiting Center, which recently moved into a previously vacant corner space off Keyes Avenue.
    The U.S. Army reached a deal to rent the 3,671-square-foot space for five years. About 14 recruiters from all branches of the military moved into the building in August.
    Previously, the recruiting center was located in St. James Plaza in Niskayuna. By moving to Union Street, the recruiters will have a more visible location that is centrally located within their area of operation, explained Army Sgt. Frederick Parody.
    “Before, people had trouble fi nding where the center was,” he said. “Union Street is a good location.”
    The military presence was promptly greeted by a group of about a dozen demonstrators from Schenectady Neighbors for Peace. The group marched from the recruiting center through the Harvest Festival holding placards reading “Cukes not Nukes” and “Bread not Bombs.”
    “We think it’s important for the youth of our community to know there are alternatives,” said Elaine Klein, one of the group’s coordinators. “There are other options.”


BRUCE SQUIERS/GAZETTE PHOTOGRAPHER
Holding a just-purchased pumpkin as his wife, partially visible at right, fills out a form, Steven McIntosh of Niskayuna stands Saturday on upper Union Street, as crowds mill about along the sidewalk during the third annual Harvest Fest. The event featured an art show with nearly a dozen area artists and a gourmet food market showcasing five local businesses. The festival also featured the fall harvest of the Union Street Farmers’ Market, which will conclude its season at the end of October.