By MATT LINDSEY

POTSDAM -- The 48th Potsdam Summer Festival kicks off today with musical acts, an ice cream social, vendors, and concessions through Saturday.

Other festival highlights include an expanded “Touch-A-Truck” exhibit, inflatable rides, firemen’s run to the river, a craft fair, clown shows, the “rubber ducky pluck” and outdoor movie.

For day-by-day listings of concerts and events, visit the NorthCountryNow.com 7-Day Calendar or the Chamber's FaceBook page.

“The first block of Market Street will be again be blocked off to traffic and there will be a main stage with musical performances,” according to Potsdam Chamber of Commerce executive director Marylee Ballou.

New York Bounce Houses, based out of central New York, will debut Laser tag Saturday night in Ives Park from 8 p.m. to midnight. The rain location is Pine Street Arena.

“The cost for people to participate in the laser tag will be $5 per game,” Ballou said.

The chamber will sell pre-sale tickets for Laser tag July 6 through July 11 at noon.

There will be eight to 10 two-person teams who will compete against each other at the same time on the course.

“Paddington” will be screened at Ives Park from 8:30 to 10 p.m. on Friday. Popcorn and water will be available for purchase from the Kiwanis Club of Potsdam. Bring blankets, chairs and bug spray.

Ballou said they sent ballots to Lawrence Avenue Elementary School and the kids voted for the movie they wanted shown. “Paddington” received the most votes. The movie is sponsored by Dr. Stacey Howlett.

A parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday near Old Snell Hall and will go down Elm Street to Market Street and back up Main Street ending near the Clarkson Inn. Judging will be held on Main Street.

School bands from Ogdensburg, Lisbon and Morristown have signed up to be in the parade and about 20 to 30 floats and organizations are expected to join.

“The best viewing spots will be on Elm and Main Streets…there are three marching bands who will perform twice each,” Ballou said.

At 7 p.m., following the parade, the Potsdam Volunteer Fire Department will continue the more than 100 year-old tradition of the “Run to the River.” Firefighters race to be the first to the Raquette River, fill their hoses with water and spray it to the enjoyment of the spectators. The event dates back to the early 1900’s.

“Since the closing of Northern Music, the chamber had been working through the winter to find someone to run the sound,” she said.

The chamber hired Riverside Sound from Massena to run the main stage sound system this year. This was made possible through a sponsorship by TJ Toyota of Potsdam.

A wide variety of musical entertainment will be at the Northern Music & Video main stage in the blocked off portion of downtown Market Street. Bands that appeal to all ages will perform every hour on the hour throughout the day, with longer acts at night.

Main stage performances Friday begin at 10 a.m. with Christian Parker. Also slated to perform are Andy Van Duyne and Mary Casale, Ed Trainor, A Fine Line, Odis, the Hermon-DeKalb Rock Ensemble, Jeff Stein, Bee Children, Six Foot Midget and KTX.

“Odis and the Hermon-DeKalb band are making their festival debuts and there are many returning favorites,” she said.

Music and entertainment on the main stage on Saturday will feature Big Papa, Sunday Rock Legacy, Lou Dacques Band, Bill Mechoir & Rebecca, Crescent Street Jame, Tye Dye, Microburst, a fashion show by Today;’s Hair & Day Spa, Northbound and We Build Tomorrow.

Three composers with ties to the Crane School of Music will have compositions featured at Potsdam Community Band’s Summer Festival performance on Friday in Ives Park from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The band will perform the “Madstop Two-Step” by Arthur Frackenpohl, “Far East Fantasy” by Robert Washburn and “Gaelic Rhapsody” by Elliot Del Borgo.

All three had lengthy teaching careers at Crane. Frackenpohl lives in Potsdam, while both Washburn and Del Borgo died in 2013. The concert is free, however the group’s “donation tuba” will be on hand.

The 14th annual Tour de Potsdam Walk/Run For Wellness begins on Beal Street at 6 p.m. for walkers and 6:30 p.m. for runners. Registration begins Thursday at 5 p.m. The cost is $15 per racer and includes a t-shirt for the first 100 who sign up. Kids under age 12 are free to join with at least one registered adult. Prizes will be awarded. Preregister at www.gethealthyslc.org/.

The craft show and car show will be back in their traditional location in Ives Park on Saturday. The car show runs from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the south end of Ives Park. The craft show takes place near where the farmer’s market is held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are still openings for crafters.

Kids can burn off some energy from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Potsdam Elks where there will be several inflatable bounce houses including a huge water slide. There is no charge.

Other Friday highlights include Clifford the Big Red Dog who will read for story hour at 10:30 a.m. outside the chamber office or inside Sergis pizzeria in the event of rain. The St. Lawrence County Arts Council will hold an Arts Market in Ives Park from noon until 6 p.m. They will also have an exhibit opening from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m. at the Potsdam Town Hall. The exhibit titled “Remixing Imagination” is a collection of photography, digital art, and mixed media by Suzan McDermott.

Market Mania, held in the Save-A-Lot plaza on Friday, continues to grow its “Touch-a-truck” exhibit featuring police cars, rescue vehicles, fire trucks, construction vehicle and more. There will be games and activities for kids.

“It is a lot of fun in one location for kids,” Ballou said.

They can also enter for bike giveaways. Cubby T. Clown and Friends will entertain during two half-hour performances at noon and 1:30 pm.

To round off the entertainment at Outer Market Mania Tap to Toe Studio of Dance will perform at 11:30 a.m. and Step It Out Dance will provide host a show at 2:15 pm.

The Ives Park Gazebo will host live entertainment on Saturday starting at 9 a.m. with Yogi Strong. The New Horizons Band will play at 11 a.m., the Jack Kelley Big Band hits the stage from 12:15 to 1 p.m., Veils of the Nile will perform from 1:15 to 2 p.m. and Sweet Adelines will sing a cappela at 2:15 p.m.

Saturday things to do include the Potsdam Police Department auction on Hatch Road at 8:30 a.m., the Potsdam Rotary Clubs 18th annual “Rubber Duck Pluck” at 2:30 p.m. in Ives Park. Tickets go on sale starting at 9 a.m. The grand prize is $500.

Vendors and concessions will be held all day throughout the weekend featuring fair-style food including hotdogs, hamburgers, fries, sno-cones, fried bread dough and more.

The Junque Sale will be held July 11 with proceeds benefiting the Orchestra of Northern New York. Held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pine Street Arena, 43 Pine St., this sale is billed as one of the largest garage sales in the North Country.

“We invite everyone to come out and enjoy all we have to offer throughout the weekend and to check out the Potsdam Summer Festival Facebook page for up-to-date information,” Ballou said.