Railfest 2024 to be held in Gloversville | Leaderherald

The Tabors from Broadalbin, CJ and Breanna, came with their son Zayden for a weekend activity.

“We came for the bounce houses. Zayden likes bounce houses,” said Zayden’s father, CJ Tabor.

Gloversville City Clerk Jenni Mazur serves as the city’s liaison to the Gloversville Recreation Commission, which organized the event.

“On a nice day like this, we see between 3,000 and 4,000 people,” she said.

“It’s a busy day in town, not only with Railfest, but also with a car show at the senior center and the farmers market,” Mazur said.

“Our goal has always been to improve the quality of life of our citizens, to bring neighbors together and to convey city pride,” she said.

Railfest is also a major fundraiser for the city’s plans to build a $100,000 dog park.

“This is our second year of raising funds for this,” said Mazur

She hopes that the groundbreaking for the dog park can take place next year.

Gloversville resident Jeannie Jennings watched her two grandchildren, Alessianna Prysznant, 7, and Kayden Rios, 5, playing with a wooden tower of sticks and hoping it wouldn’t fall over.

Prysznant was particularly interested in the animal petting show, which was held for the first time at Railfest this year. Jennings said her granddaughter wants to be a veterinarian.

“I like to observe and catch animals,” said Prysznant, including butterflies and fireflies.

Across the street, families could feed miniature donkeys, goats and sheep under a tree at a hobby farm in Fort Plain.

“It’s fun because kids can touch, feed and interact with the animals,” said owner Peggy DeBlock. “It keeps the animals social.”

Ashley Dockstader took her two children to Railfest for the first time after hearing about the new petting zoo.

“The children really enjoy it,” she said.

In addition, there were over 70 traders and two stages for musical entertainment.

Glenridge Motor Sports introduced its racing cars to the public and offered children the opportunity to sit in them.

Jay Kajewski, chairman of the Gloversville Recreation Commission, said Railfest is just one of several fundraising events they organize, but he also emphasized that Railfest is special.

“People come in every hour, multi-generational families – kids, parents and grandparents. That’s what I love to see: families having fun,” he said.