ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Thousands of people will make their way through Rochester’s Corn Hill neighborhood this weekend. The Corn Hill Arts Festival returned for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

For years, Emily Payne attended the festival to stop and shop at all the different vendors.

But this year, she’s on the other side of the table.

“I pinch myself thinking, ‘I can’t believe I’m selling stuff at the Corn Hill Fest,’” said Payne.

The festival features hundreds of local artists selling everything from paintings to clothing.

Accessories by Emily sells one-of-a-kind jewelry.

Payne says she got the idea from making a necklace out of old shoe clips.

“The majority of our necklaces and other pieces have been reimaged from pieces we saw at estate sales or broken jewelry,” she said.

Payne works full-time as a local teacher, but she says as her business grows, festivals like Corn Hill are key to getting the word out. This is the case especially after many small businesses took a hit during the pandemic.

“I don’t have a storefront, so it’s fun to be out in the community,” Payne said. "We live in Irondequoit, so it’s fun to get out and give back."

 The Corn Hill Arts Festival runs Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.