by Dave Warner
Dolgeville Forward came together in 2018 mainly because there were a few people that felt that the village government was so small, that a group of outside volunteers could really assist them and help make things happen.
“We created Dolgeville Forward as a group that could assist the Village and just enrich the community in as many ways as we could,” stated Christine Reynolds, one of the organizers.
The group held its initial Blueberries, Blues, and BBQ event in August of 2019 and it was a huge success. Of course, COVID didn’t allow them to hold the event last year, but they are back on for August 7, 2021.
“We have scaled it back a little bit like they did the Violet Festival, but we just felt that things are improving enough and everything is outdoors, that hopefully, people can be safe,” she said.
The event is going to start out with a breakfast that is going to be put on by the Dolgeville All-Volunteer Fire Department, with the proceeds benefiting their organization.
The first week of August is Farmer’s Market Week in New York State, so the 7th will kind of be the highlight of that period. “At 9 am, we’ll start with our vendors and also our Farmers’ Market, which is doing well and growing,” said Reynolds.
There will be coloring for kids, riding and pedal tractors, and bocce ball at the market, plus games like cornhole and giant Jenga at the basketball court. “It’s just a fun time.”
In the field across from the fire department, vendors will be set up and they’ll be having a fair.
There will be a 9 – 11 am coffee time with treats from the Cakery Cafe that are blueberry-themed as well.
At 11 am, the pulled pork BBQ begins and continues until it is all sold out. “We have an ice cream social that begins at 2 pm with vanilla ice cream with warm fresh blueberry sauce and whipped cream,” she said.
“Throughout the time, we’ll be down at the pavilion with music. From 9-10 am we have Guitar Musings with Mike Stone. From 10 until noon is GaryVan Slyke and company, who will be presenting ‘blue’ music – all songs that have somewhere in the title or lyrics, the word blue,” Reynolds said.
From noon until 3 pm there is Kyle’s Cocktail Combo. “He is a young man, who is only in his early twenties, and he’s extremely talented on the keyboard.”
Reynolds said there is a basket raffle with over 20 donated baskets as well as a 50/50 raffle. Drawings for both will be held at 3 pm.
To introduce himself to the community, new Dolgeville Central School superintendent Joseph Gilfus will be present, as well. Community members will be able to meet and chat with him throughout the day.
In addition, there will be fire trucks, dump trucks, and big machines of different kinds for children to get to interact with. “They’ll be able to find out information about them, get their picture taken, or just have fun sitting in them.”
She said that proceeds from the day will be going towards the Center Park Project, which involves tearing down the current pavilion, which is in really poor shape, and replacing it with a brand new one. “I love the architectural design of it, which was done by Saratoga Associates.”
Part of the project will create a new combined basketball/pickleball court and a splash pad for children.
Reynolds said, “We’ve been writing grants, getting grants towards this pavilion and we don’t expect to make a lot of money this year, but what we do make, will go towards that project.”
She said that ultimately, they just wanted the event to be an opportunity for the community to get together and enjoy each other, the music, and the food.