BareRoots Festival brings Syracuse creatives together at Thornden Park

Syracuse artists, musicians and small businesses gathered at Thornden Park for the BareRoots Festival, a free community event designed to make local arts and entertainment more accessible.

BareRoots Festival brought Syracuse’s creative community together for a free day of live music, art, food and local vendors. For organizers, keeping admission free is an important part of accessibility to anyone who wants to experience the festival.

“It takes away a barrier,” one of the event’s organizers Noah Carrado said. “There’s people that just, they don’t know if they’re gonna like it. So it lets you come try it out.”

Carrado said free admission is especially important for people who may not have the extra money to spend on entertainment.

“There’s also people that might be struggling right now,” Carrado said. “So it gives them something to do, get out of the house, come hang out with the community and we’re not looking to reach into your pockets.”

That accessibility was part of what attracted attendee Marley Tyler to the festival.

“I try to look for things around Syracuse that are free to come and hang out at and see what’s going on,” Tyler said.

Walking into the festival, Tyler said she was immediately drawn to the rows of vendors throughout the park. As a reader, the festival’s book offerings stood out in particular to her.

“I’m a big reader, so I like all the book options,” Tyler said, pointing to a bookstore and the festival’s Author’s Alley.

Opportunities for all artists

Beyond giving Syracuse residents something to do, the festival also provides local artists and businesses an opportunity to introduce themselves to new audiences.

Vendor Brandon Jones said events like the BareRoots Festival allow him to make connections that are difficult to replicate online. While he can sell his work through a website or social media, a festival puts his products directly into customers’ hands.

“People are able to physically see what’s going on,” Jones said. “I get to meet and greet and talk to people in person and make that connection.”

Jones participated in BareRoots for the first time after hearing about it through word of mouth and seeing its social media presence following last year’s event.

For Carrado, supporting artists goes beyond simply giving them a place to perform. BareRoots pays its musicians a flat fee, rather than requiring them to meet ticket-sale requirements that can come with performing at other venues.

“We’re creating economic opportunity for the artists,” Carrado said. “We’re paying our musicians, so that’s huge.”

Carrado emphasizes that the festival also creates opportunities for artists, businesses and community members to meet face-to-face.

“We’re helping connect a lot of dots for people,” Carrado said. “Opening doors and just sort of networking and giving people the face-to-face interaction, to be able to shake a hand rather than make a phone call.”

New discoveries

Tyler experienced some of that discovery herself. She said the collection of vendors introduced her to businesses and artists she had not previously known were operating in Syracuse.

“I had no idea [some] were even around Syracuse,” Tyler said. “Getting to see them all together and check everything out really quick, so I can kind of look into them more, is fun.”

The festival is made possible through grants, sponsors and community partners, Carrado said, with CNY Arts serving as its largest funder.

Thornden Park itself also plays a role in the festival’s identity. With its amphitheater, open field and additional park space surrounding the festival grounds, Carrado said he couldn’t picture holding the event somewhere else.

“Look around, man,” Carrado said. “We have the Thornden Park Amphitheater right here. It’s beautiful. A huge field.”

And for a city where Jones said residents sometimes complain that there is “nothing to do,” BareRoots provides another reason to get outside, experience local art and meet the people creating it.

“This is just providing another space for people to not only sell their things,” Jones said, “but gives people something to come out and enjoy.”

As BareRoots continues to grow, Carrado said feedback from festivalgoers will help organizers improve the event and strengthen its place in Syracuse’s creative community for years to come.