A yearly Hornell festival is growing like wildflowers.
The Hornell Partners for Growth 12th annual Wildflower Festival takes root Saturday, May 30 at Union Square Park, with even more free family-friendly activities than previous years, live music, vendors, food and its first-ever Stearns chicken barbecue.
The festival will run from noon to 5 p.m. in Union Square at the intersection of Genesee and Seneca streets.
The Wildflower Festival serves as a direct investment in the businesses that make up the Hornell Partners for Growth Business Improvement District while serving as an outlet for community pride and creativity, HPG leaders said.
Wildflower Festival music lineup, free kids activities, Stearns chicken barbecue details
Festival-goers can enjoy live musical performances throughout the day, including a John Wetherbee concert from noon to 2 p.m. and Jinn Smith from 3-5 p.m.
Badger and Butterfly Studios will have free face painting and airbrush tattoos for children.
Kids will also receive complimentary terracotta pots and wildflower seeds to plant and take home.
A special addition to this year’s festival is the first-ever Stearns Poultry chicken barbecue fundraiser, hosted by Catholic Charities Steuben/Livingston.
Pre-sale tickets are available for $15 and proceeds will support Catholic Charities Emergency Services and their food kitchen programs serving Bath and Hornell.
With more than 230 businesses across the district, events like the Wildflower Festival are designed to drive foot traffic, increase visibility, and encourage residents and visitors to shop, dine, and explore everything downtown Hornell has to offer, said Valorie Whitehill, HPG executive director.
“In addition to a wide variety of local craft vendors and community organizations, the festival creates meaningful opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs to connect with new customers and strengthen community relationships,” Whitehill said.
Maple City Savings Bank is Wildflower Festival recognized sponsor
HPG extended special recognition to this year’s highlighted sponsor, Maple City Savings Bank, for its continued investment in community programming and their commitment to helping keep the Wildflower Festival free, family-friendly and accessible to all.
Hornell Partners for Growth continues to expand its year-round programming, including festivals, live music, and family-focused community events.
Businesses, organizations, and individuals interested in sponsoring future events or partnering with HPG are encouraged to get involved.
Sponsorship opportunities provide valuable visibility while directly supporting free community programming that benefits residents, visitors and the local economy, HPG said.
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact HPG at HORNELLPARTNERS@GMAIL.COM.
For updates and more information, visit hornellhpg.com or follow HPG on social media, and download the Discover Hornell App.
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This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: HPG Wildflower Festival returns to downtown Hornell May 30. Schedule
Reporting by Neal Simon, Hornell Evening Tribune / The Evening Tribune
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