Brownville event scoffs at clouds

BROWNVILLE — Cloudy skies were able to hide the sun but not the fun, according to those who attended the second day of the 32nd annual General Brown Weekend on Saturday.

"We're gonna go on the rides. My favorite part is riding the rides," said 9-year-old Bradley K. Hart, son of Virginia Hart of Watertown, as he waited in line to have his face painted.

"I'm excited," added his twin sister, Brittney A., proudly displaying a shark-tooth necklace that she bought from one of the three-day event's vendors.

Down the road, the town of Brownville Lions Club was selling food and raising money, as it has since the second year of the event.

According to Gary F. Quencer, Dexter, the most popular food items sold during the weekend are salt potatoes and hot sausages. Proceeds from the food sales benefit the Lions Club's various funds, including scholarships for high school students and programs to support the visually impaired.

Mr. Quencer said the profits from the weekend should range from $1,500 to $2,500.

"It depends on the weather," he said.

Kenneth W. Miles, Pillar Point, the club's president and a member for 34 years, said the Brownville Lions Club also provides food for the Can-Am Days, a weekend-long festival in Sackets Harbor celebrating Canadian-American heritage.

"We're into a lot," Mr. Miles said.

If sausages and salt potatoes didn't appeal, there were plenty of other goodies to tempt the palate along Brown Boulevard. Deep-fried Oreos, ice cream, funnel cakes and hand-squeezed lemonade were among the treats available Saturday.

The red awning of Fowler's Taffy, familiar to many local fair-goers, also was present.

"With these small community events, I think people really look forward to getting out of the house after the winter," said Robert Langendorfer, Jamestown, manager of Fowler's Taffy.

He said the demand for cinnamon taffy and cinnamon candy apples, two of the business's mainstays, was good at small events such as the General Brown Weekend.

"We have a lot of fun doing them," Mr. Langendorfer said of smaller fairs and festivals. "A little more energy, a lot more low-key."

Across from the concession stands, craft booths selling everything from jewelry to lollipops lined the grass in front of Brown Mansion. Linda Brown, Gouverneur, who has sold handmade pillows and quilts at General Brown Weekend for at least 20 years, said her sales depend largely on the temperature of the day.

"The crowd is way down because it was so cold yesterday," she said Saturday, adding that the economic recession didn't have a noticeable effect on customers at her booth.

"I think it's weather-based," Ms. Brown said.

"If the sun comes out, yes, it's usually a good turnout," said Lonnie Miller, Adams, another vendor at the event. He and his wife own Rosemary Miller Silverware Spoon Jewelry, a business that transforms antique silverware into wearable jewelry.

"We just go and have fun talking to people," Rosemary Miller said.

"We're people lovers," Mr. Miller said. "It does help in this business."

The Millers have been selling their spoon rings and fork bracelets at various craft fairs in the area for about three years. Saturday marked their second year at the General Brown Weekend.

"I like the small towns," said Mr. Miller. "Bigger towns, they take it for granted. This is special."

General Brown Weekend will conclude today. The craft fair begins at 10 a.m. in front of Brown Mansion, and a chicken barbecue with music by the LaFargeville Jazz Band will start at noon at the Brownville American Legion. A soapbox derby with registration at Brownville Fire Hall will run from noon to 1 p.m.