The North Country Arts Festival will return for its fifth year, uniting the community for a month-long celebration of the arts. Running from August 2 to 30, the county-wide event showcases the St. Lawrence County arts industry– a critical aspect of their regional identity.
Presented by SLC Arts, the 2025 season marks a period of festival growth and innovation, with new features such as decentralization, new program development, the inclusion of a fundraising event, and expansion on children’s programming. Ultimately, encouraging tourism and economic activity throughout the county.
NoCo Glow
The festival opens with a new community arts event titled NoCo Glow, featuring both afternoon and evening showcases of theater, dance and experimental performance across Potsdam. Attendees are encouraged to explore local businesses and enjoy performances across multiple pop-up venues throughout the day.
Each stop includes the chance to visit SLC Arts between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m, as well as participate in luminary stations where visitors can craft their own handcrafted luminaries. The series of stops celebrates the vibrant spirit of the North Country Arts Festival.
The route ends with a procession from the corner of Market and Raymond Street to Garner Park– a luminary walk beginning at 8 p.m.– concluding with a preview and official launch of the Wild Theatre Collective, a new theater initiative with SLC Arts.
NoCo Glow is free and open to the public.
NOCOAF Poetry Slam
On Friday, August 29, SLC Arts brings back the NOCOAF Poetry Slam. This year’s event includes a fast-paced Haiku Slam during intermission. All interested poets are invited to register and take part in the event.
Porchfest
Potsdam’s Porchfest returns on Saturday, August 30. The annual event originated in Ithaca in 2007, and has since spread to various cities and towns across the world. The community-based music festival is held in residential neighborhoods where local musicians volunteer to perform on porches, driveways, or front yards of homes.
Potsdam Porchfest is free and open to the public, with performances running from 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on various porches across the Potsdam Residential neighborhood, near the intersection between Lawrence Avenue and Clinton Street.
Arts Market and Arts Wellness Day
On Sunday, August 24, SLC Arts will host an Art Market in Potsdam’s Ives Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free event offers a day of creativity, relaxation, and community, surrounded by the outdoors. A limited number of artist booths are still available for registration.
The Arts Wellness Day features events inspired by both nature and mindfulness, promoting wellness through creative engagement.
Ives Park Concert Series
Throughout the festival, SLC Arts hosts the annual Ives Park Concert Series, showcasing a diverse lineup of musical acts. This year, artists will have the option to vend during the shows. These concerts are free and open to the public, allowing many to discover new sounds.
Teen Summer Arts Program Showcase
On Friday, August 8, the Teen Summer Arts Program Showcase will highlight the creative talents of local youth. Hosted at the Creative Spirit Community Arts Center, the free event invites the public to support emerging young artists and celebrate their work.
Kids Movie and Arts Night
As part of the festival’s Kids Weekend, with a new format to be more family-friendly accessible, SLC Arts presents Kids’ Movie and Arts Night. On Friday, August 22 at the Creative Spirit Community Arts Center, the film FernGully will be shown. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the film begins at 5:30 p.m.
Families can enjoy an evening with ice cream from The Frozen Spoon, popcorn and an art project for kids. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, pillows, or lawn chairs to stay comfortable during the screening– free and open to the public.
SLC Arts Kids Weekend Concert
The celebration leads into Sunday, August 23 with a family-friendly concert featuring Animal Crackers at Ives Park. The concert begins at 4 p.m. and includes free face painting. Festivalgoers can also purchase dinner with Rosie’s Hawg Dawg.
The NoCo Arts Festival is free to the public. For more information on the North Country Arts Festival and schedule, visit the SLC Arts website or follow their Instagram page for the latest updates.
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