Children enjoy a play day at The Barn at French Mountain

The Barn at French Mountain, a popular Lake George venue for weddings, music festivals and comedy shows, catered to a younger clientele this Saturday at the Mommy & Me Market. The large barn, where dozens of brides and grooms have celebrated their nuptials, was filled with bubbles, balloons, mini putting greens, small slides, a ball pit and yard games to entertain infants, toddlers and grade-school-aged children. This is the third year The Barn at French Mountain has hosted this free event.

“It’s just a fun day that’s free,” says Mark Brenneisen of All We Do Is Epic. Brenneisen, while blowing up balloons and flicking them into a group of excited toddlers, explained that the Mommy & Me Market was designed to let younger children and their parents enjoy a few hours of play combined with a little shopping.

In the barn, vendors offered a variety of crafted items and food trucks in the barnyard sold ice cream, Sno-Kones, cotton candy and other carnival treats. Penny Maxam of Penny’s Patches brought racks of bags, aprons and bibs — hand-sewn items she made of colorful cottons. Michele Sellingham of Hobblebush Bath and Body offered a wide selection of bath bombs and artisan soaps. When asked about her sales, Sellingham says, “They have actually been pretty good—lots of bath bombs—mostly stuff that kids like.” She says the moms were buying items for themselves as well.

Occupational Therapist Amy Catalfamo, owner of Sensory tOT spot in Malta, brought a bin of colorful rice for children to explore using scoops and funnels. Catalfamo says she provides services for children and young adults up to age 21, often helping those who do not qualify for services through a school district but can still benefit from occupational therapy.

All We Do Is Epic manages all the events at The Barn at French Mountain venue. “We can do parties of five to five hundred,” says Brenneisen, “even 5,000.” For those that want to book a small party, the site has pavilions with horseshoe pits, bocce ball courts, and, brand new, an 18-hole frisbee golf course. The Barn has a full schedule of public events booked through the summer, including a Jazz Festival July 1-2. Visit LGBarn.com for a complete calendar of events.