BALLSTON SPA’S 3rd ANNUAL
BIRDHOUSE COMPETITION Takes Flight! An original, made-from-scratch tiger cat.
“Johnny Talks A Lot,” the winning 2019 ‘Original’ by sculptor Tom Collins
“We’re partnering with many different organizations within the village to create a village-wide event that promotes the work of all the different groups..."
A woodland log cabin. An avian community along the trail.
WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY WENDY HAUGH (UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
Folks will be flocking to Ballston Spa on Saturday, June 13th for the village’s third annual Birdhouse Competition (rain date
a Bottle Museum event, live music, and a Lion’s Club barbecue. Ballston Spa’s Farmers’ Market and the Village-Wide Garage Sale will also be in full swing.
June 20th). This unique event gives people of all ages and abilities the chance to build their own original birdhouses or decorate raw-built homes fabricated by woodworking students at Ballston Spa High School. To date, these industrious students, under the direction of teacher Jered Marcantonio, have built 278 birdhouses to be distributed to community groups, including 4-H, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Creative Endeavors, Saratoga Bridges, and Senior Citizens. Birdhouses will also be available at the Ballston Spa Public Library.
Competition entries are judged in two separate categories: original made-from-scratch birdhouses; and premade, hand-decorated birdhouses. Judging takes place at Wiswall Park on Front Street. The Mayor always chooses and gives out the Mayor’s Awards. But visitors are encouraged to pick up scorecards that day and cast votes for their personal favorites. Fun categories include Most Patriotic, Silliest, Most Serious, and Scariest. Winners in the popular vote are later notified by email.
“This year the Ballston Spa Birdhouse Competition is expanding to become Ballston Spa Blooms,” says organizer Mark Blech, who created and implemented the first birdhouse festival in 2018. “We’re partnering with many different organizations within the village to create a village-wide event that promotes the work of all the different groups. We want to cross-advertise and really create synergy within our community.” Some of the special events planned include a book fair at the Ballston Spa Public Library, a craft fair at Brookside Museum,
92 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | SPRING 2020
There are no age limits or entry fees for the competition, and birdhouses can be made by individuals or groups. However, kits and other mass-manufactured birdhouses will not be accepted. Made-from-scratch birdhouses can be made of any materials that are safe and sturdy enough to withstand outdoor conditions and avian activity. After the event, these original entries will be mounted on trees along Jim Tedisco Fitness Trail, the half-mile walking Soft dressing at itsthe best! trail stretching from I fell in love with the blueThe Old Iron Spring on Front Street to Prospect Street, abovetop. The Factory Eatery. of this 525 just America
saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
