‘Pulled it together really fast:’ Kershaw Park transformed for annual Canandaigua Lakefront Art Show

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (WROC) — It was a beautiful Saturday well spent down near one of the Finger Lakes. The City of Canandaigua hosting its annual Lakefront Art Show just two weeks after a severe storm left the event in question.

This beloved park, looking a bit different than it did two weeks ago. Vendors and those who just came out to enjoy the day say they’re happy to be here.

“The weather is fantastic, and everyone is just enjoying the beautiful day,” Kenzie’s Reveries’ Pam Bayer told News 8.

“[They] did a phenomenal job as far as cleaning everything up and making sure everything was very safe,” Canandaigua resident Christine Heck said.

The City of Canandaigua was the place to be Saturday with folks on the water, shopping locally, or grabbing a bite to eat — at Kershaw Park especially.

The park endured some extensive damage following severe thunderstorms earlier this month. Nearly 10 trees were knocked down and caution tape surrounded a large part of the road as crews worked to clear the debris.

“It was devastating when you came down here right after the storm,” Pam Bayer had her booth, Kenzie’s Reveries set up at the art show Saturday. She sells artwork, mostly painted by her daughter Kenzie, who died of cancer in 2021.

With the recent damage to the park, she wasn’t sure if the annual event would be able to still take place.

“We’re back up and we’re kicking and we’re having a great time here,” Bayer said. “So, I’m really so appreciative that we were able to continue I was a little bit worried that we wouldn’t but we you know people pulled it together really fast.”

Everyone who came out was appreciative of the City’s efforts to get the park looking how they know it to.

“To see all of the people and how they’re enjoying it, and everyone still comes together as a group,” Heck said.

Lour lived in Canandaigua for decades but recently moved. She told News 8 coming back for Saturday’s art show, it’s amazing to see people come out to celebrate and enjoying the beauty.

And the fun continues Sunday which is set to be another gorgeous day. The Canandaigua Lakefront Art Show takes place at Kershaw Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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