2nd Community Day offers more

COPENHAGEN — High temperatures and little breeze didn't stop the second annual Community Day from being a success.

"There's been a pretty good crowd," said Michael S. Bartlett, who co-chairs the event with his wife, Judy M. "We expect to get a few hundred people."

Community Day featured the same lineup as last year — but bigger. More entertainment. More vendors. More space.

Last year, the event was centered on the gazebo at Washington and Cataract streets. This year, the event stretched down both streets, with additional attractions on Main Street and Route 12.

"Last year was a trial run," Mr. Bartlett said.

This year's celebration included 22 food and craft vendors, American Kang Duk Won karate demonstrations, horse wagon rides, a performance by the Amy Earl School of Dance in West Carthage, and even snakes.

On the second floor of the American Kang Duk Won building, Mary Benvenuto of Reptiles Forever in Cape Vincent brought 20 exotic animals for the public to see and pet. Animals ranged from a boa constrictor and different types of pythons to Madagascar hissing cockroaches, a tortoise and a white Australian wallaby.

Visitors combed through vendors on Washington Street, which sold everything from used books to benefit the Copenhagen Pee Wee wrestling team to jewelry to rustic home decor signs. Thousands Islands Winery was giving free samples of its wines. Linda S. Dalton of Natural Serenity Reiki in Carthage provided 10 minutes of Reiki massage therapy for $5.

There also were numerous raffles, including game baskets and a Sony PlayStation 3 console.

Some of the tables at Saturday's festivities were for local organizations, such as Watertown Rotary Club and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Country. Lewis County General Hospital, Lowville, was on hand, giving out information about how to deal with stress.

There also was plenty of entertainment for the children, including two bounce houses, clowns and face painting.

There were also two Bubble Mania performances, an educational program in which fun, soap and science came together.

Madison L. Freeman, 8, Copenhagen, who was at the Community Day event with her two brothers and grandmother Barbara L. Gaines, was all smiles as she carried a balloon on her wrist, given to her by a clown with rainbow hair. She opted not to have her face painted, though.

Mrs. Gaines, who went to the first Community Day last year, said there was much more going on this year.

"We've been walking around. There's more," she said. "It's bigger."

This was the first year Deb L. Rogers, Port Leyden, attended the Community Day event. She brought her two grandchildren with her after a friend told her about the festivities.

Throughout the afternoon, musical acts entertained the crowds.

"We're having a good time with it," Mr. Bartlett said, offering a hint for what next year might bring: "Maybe we'll get Aerosmith," he joked.