Rain can’t stop the market Annual event draws crowds in spite of weather
ROUND LAKE, N.Y. » One eclectic local village was bustling with activity all weekend for the annual Markets at Round Lake.
The Village of Round Lake hosted its popular Markets at Round Lake on Saturday and Sunday, showcasing more than 80 artisans, some new and some returning, from both near and far
hoppers browsed through the selectively juried show, which featured fine art, jewelry, woodwork, clothing, candles and artisan edibles including snacks, sweets and spirits.
Additionally, the historic Round Lake Auditorium was once again filled with thousands of titles for the event’s book sale, with bargain prices of just $1 or 50 cents each.
Though rain was falling on and off throughout the weekend, the Markets at Round Lake still attracted large crowds each day.
“The rain did not keep people away,” said Kim Sheridan-Dugmore, one of the event’s volunteer organizers. “I think everybody still had good sales.”
Some vendors even sold out on Saturday, the wetter of the two days, and had to bring back more merchandise for the remainder of the weekend.
People come to the summertime Markets at Round Lake not only to spend, but to explore the unique little neighborhood. “They kind of come for a Round Lake experience,” Sheridan-Dugmore said. “They don’t just come for the show, they want to walk around.”
The show, set under the trees in the village’s park, has “a cozy aspect to it,” she continued, “that kind of mirrors Round Lake itself.”
Local residents view the yearly festival as “inviting the outside into the inner-world of Round Lake, and feeling the specialness of the village,” SheridanDugmore said, adding that each year a few event-goers inquire about real estate in the village after attending the show.
Sponsored by the Woman’s Round Lake Improvement Society and the the Village of Round Lake, the 2018 Markets at Round Lake was a fundraiser for the Round Lake Libraries.
Round Lake has been hosting an arts and crafts fair for more than 30 years, but it was recreated to be the Markets at Round Lake in 2016.
Now in its third year as Markets at Round Lake, and in the midst of a nationwide maker movement, “I feel like it’s come into itself in a way,” Kim Sheridan-Dugmore said. “So many people say this is their best summer show and they look forward to it all year.”
Local business Collar City Candle has been part of the Markets at Round Lake for all three years. “We just love being a part of it. The whole community comes out. They open up their lawns to us and they let us stay here,” said Jamie Wallbank, who operates the company with her husband Josh. “The level of talent that they curated is really special, so it’s an honor to be a part of it.”
The show is also a good opportunity for exposure, Wallbank said. “A lot of the same shoppers come each year, and then they visit us in Troy, so that’s really nice.”
Attendees like Jess Martin of Mechanicville always have a good time browsing through the Markets at Round Lake. “I like that you get to walk through the
village to get to everything,” she said while standing out- side of the book market. She and her party especially enjoyed the food aspect of the event, purchasing kimchi, wine and cider donuts during their Sunday morning visit.