If you're looking to make flame throwers and art work part of your Memorial Day weekend, downtown Corning is the place to be. The third annual Glassfest is underway and already drawing big crowds. Our Lara Greenberg tells us what people can expect from the Crystal City's sizzling event.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

CORNING, N.Y. -- Things in Corning are getting heated.

"We're watching someone make a dragons with a fairy inside its mouth," said Abigail Kohnke of Corning.

You heard right. Dragons, fairies and flames. It must be Glassfest.

"It's a great thing for people to watch. It's very accessible for people. And the flame workers usually make some pretty cool stuff," said Glen Kohnke of Corning.

The four-day event features hot glass shows, a flame-off competition, light displays and a treasure hunt for gorillas, after Corning's Gorilla Glass. More than 5,000 people are expected to stop by the event that's both fun and educational.

"They have a little bit of everything. They can learn a little bit about science, about glass."

And the glass experts who are here say this weekend is just as much fun for them as it is for the people who come to watch them work.

"Most of the people in the audience were not glass professionals. And it allows me a certain freedom and innocence of give and take where we can really talk about anything," said Milon Townsend, an artist performing at Glassfest.

"I'm always fascinated with glassmaking to know, is it an art? Is it a technique? But I found out it's an art," said Sharon Backos of Allegany.

The reasons for coming to Glassfest are crystal clear, whether you come for the souvenirs.

"I love glass, from Corning Glass Inc, compliments of dates."

Or for treasure hunts.

"We're gonna go down to Bridge Street and find the rest of the gorillas."

Events continue through Sunday. You can find more information on Glassfest at www.glassfest.org.