e061 - The 315NY Weekly

Hi {{ first name | reader }},

Happy Friday, 315. Two of the biggest weekends on the regional calendar land back to back. Taste of Syracuse opens Friday at Clinton Square, two days of food vendors, live music, and an art market that has anchored the start of summer in CNY for years. Down in Chittenango, the Oz-Stravaganza Festival runs all three days celebrating L. Frank Baum's hometown legacy, with fireworks Friday, a Saturday parade, costume contests, OZ authors and artists, rides, food, and a live music stage. And Heritage Hill Brewery in Pompey runs its Strawberry Festival both Saturday and Sunday, with live music, vendors, farm animals, strawberry beer, and strawberry cocktails. Three festivals, one weekend, all worth the drive.

The North Country marks two of its biggest annual traditions. The 62nd Annual Dairy Festival returns to Canton Village Park with Big Wheel Races, block dancing, vendors, a petting zoo, and a parade. Open Doors to History continues with a second regional weekend celebrating the people and places that shaped St. Lawrence County. And the North Country Children's Museum hosts its annual Night at the Museum Gala on Saturday with an open bar, a walking dinner, live jazz, a DJ, glow-in-the-dark cocktails, and the opening of a new art installation.

The Mohawk Valley turns up the volume. Players of Utica opens Sweeney Todd, the Stephen Sondheim thriller, with shows Friday through Sunday. The 22nd Annual Rumble in Rome Offroad Championship runs Friday and Saturday at CRC Raceway. The Utica Blue Sox return home for a game against the Boonville Lumberjacks on Saturday. Relay for Life takes over Delta Lake State Park. And Music in the Park kicks off its summer schedule at Crestway Park on Wednesday with an hour of vintage jazz. Bring a blanket.

A few standouts worth your weekend. Lorenzo State Historic Site in Cazenovia runs its Garden Day on Saturday afternoon, the kind of slow walk through history the region is good at. Salt Springs Neighborhood Association launches its first annual Springfest, a community-built festival at the corner of Salt Springs and Springfield Road. The Smith Opera House in Geneva opens Spirit in the Light, a photography exhibition documenting the early years of Bruce Springsteen's rise. Bottleland in Geneva celebrates its first anniversary Sunday with grilled hot dogs, wine, and live music. And the American Indian Summertime Craft Fair brings dozens of crafters to Turning Stone Resort. This week's Foodie Corner heads to Champlin Avenue in Utica for Muju, where Grace and Ujjval Rai have built one of the most unique dining and grocery experiences in the region: a Nepali kitchen inside an international market, run by a Nepali refugee. More on that below.

Best, Jono

PS: Due to a few technical difficulties, we are going out at 3:15PM today.

An evening of guided painting while sipping on your favorite Critz Farms beverages. Invite a partner and work together to create a beautiful two-piece painting in the style of graphic art.

The world's largest and longest running Wonderful Wizard of Oz themed festival, in Chittenango. Fireworks Friday, a parade Saturday, and the Grand Finale Sunday. Costume contests, writing and coloring competitions, rides, games, food, a live music stage, current OZ authors and artists, and plenty of fun.

Come to Clinton Square in Syracuse to enjoy live music, food vendors, and an art market.

A celebration of rhythm, culture, community, and life-saving awareness. A free family-friendly event bringing together music, arts, culture, emergency preparedness, and community engagement.

Explore the enchanting garden and grounds at Lorenzo State Historic Site in Cazenovia and learn about the history and evolution of the property.

The Salt Springs Neighborhood Association presents Springfest, an annual neighborhood festival featuring live music, storytelling, kids activities, food, and artist booths. Join us at the corner of Salt Springs Road and Springfield Road.

The Syracuse Veg Collective celebrates warmer weather with an all-vegan Vlock Party at Harvey's Garden. Music, vegan fare hot off the grill, talented local vendors, yard games, and Harvey's famous Wall of Beer.

A one-night-only pinball arcade comedy night at Skillshot Pinball Arcade. Balls of Steel is the first Syracuse Improv Underground Showcase, a new series bringing local comedy teams, experimental acts, and offbeat live performances into unexpected venues around Syracuse.

Heritage Hill's Strawberry Festival returns with live music, local artisan vendors, farm animals, face painting, and lawn games. Strawberry beer, wine, cocktails, and desserts available for purchase on site.

Turn up the heat and craft a one-of-a-kind, head-turning masterpiece. Grab your besties and let Middle Ages hook you up with everything you need for a night of creativity, fun, and a little controlled burning.

Come browse some local produce at the farmers market.

Drop by Lakeview Lanes' Vendor Alley in their outdoor space, The Yard, for local shopping and to support small businesses in our community.

Make a fun craft at Amethyst Reiki in Fulton.

Come rock out to some live music at The Barn in Fulton.

Join us at Sterling Nature Center for a day of live music, local artists and makers, food trucks, and a live mushroom growing demonstration.

Whether you're stopping in for smoked meats, drinks with friends, or a laid-back Sunday afternoon, Old City Hall has your plans covered.

Think you're the fastest puzzlers around? Grab your team and join us at Canale's.

Join expert birder Joe Brin for a relaxed stroll in search of spring migrants and summer residents throughout Beaver Lake's diverse habitats. Whether you're an experienced birder or new to it, an enjoyable way to start your day.

Take home your very own masterpiece. Join us at the Oswego County Fairgrounds for a step-by-step painting guided by a local artist.

Gather your crew and head to Lorbird in Fulton for the weekly Trivia Night. Challenging questions, cold drinks, and amazing food.

Join us at Sunshine Healing in Oswego to create personalized intention jars using crystals, herbs, salts, and sacred elements in a relaxing and welcoming environment.

Step into the shadowy streets of Victorian London and experience Sweeney Todd, the razor-sharp musical thriller by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler that has captivated audiences for decades. Catch the show at Players of Utica.

Join in for an epic evening of music and fine food as The DeadBolts make their debut at Portofino Utica. Classic rock and country songs.

Come watch the race and join the fun at CRC Raceway in Rome.

Fresh flavors, local goods, and community fun. Browse locally grown fruits and vegetables, homemade baked goods, artisan products, and more.

The Blue Sox return home to face off against the Lumberjacks at Donovan Stadium.

Relay For Life at Delta Lake State Park is Central NY's opportunity to celebrate local cancer survivors, encourage those currently battling, remember those we have lost, and raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

Hear from Elizabeth Welch, Associate Curator of American Art, and Shiori Oki, Henry Luce Foundation Curatorial Fellow, at the Utica Public Library as they explore the history of landscape painting throughout North America, including the art and artists of Central New York.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket and join us for an hour of vintage jazz music in Crestway Park.

Enjoy a wonderful evening of fun, wine, and creativity at Rome Art and Community Center.

Join artist Kris Rozelle at The Melting Pot Community Center in Norwood. Create beautiful alcohol-inked animal succulents using inks, daubers, or airguns. No experience necessary.

Calling all Dancing Queens. Disco the night away at The Strand in Watertown, where it's all disco, all the time.

The 62nd Annual Dairy Festival Days returns to Canton Village Park with a weekend of family-friendly activities. Festivities begin Friday evening with the Big Wheel Races, followed by a block dance. Saturday brings vendors, interactive booths, and a petting zoo throughout the park.

Following a successful kickoff along the St. Lawrence River last month, Open Doors to History continues with a second regional weekend celebrating the people, places, and stories that shaped St. Lawrence County.

The North Country Children's Museum holds its annual Night at the Museum Gala. Open bar, full walking dinner, live jazz, DJ, glow-in-the-dark cocktails, and the opening of a special art installation.

Join us at The Melting Pot Community Center for an enchanted evening woven with shadowy magic, curious treasures, and kindred spirits. Dress in all black and step into a night where mystery lingers in the air.

Decorate cookies with Kat's Confections to show your pride. Free and open to the public, all materials provided thanks to the Alcoa Eagle Grant. Join us in the Town of Potsdam Community Room.

Craft a unique piece of jewelry that represents you. Try your hand at earrings or a necklace at the First Presbyterian Church in Potsdam.

Get out and about in downtown Auburn for free art, activities, culture, and live entertainment, plus food and beverage specials and merchandise discounts.

Step back into the early days of Bruce Springsteen's rise with a rare, firsthand visual journey. This special presentation at the Smith Opera House in Geneva explores the formative years of Springsteen.

Come down to Auburn Public Theater's Main Stage for an evening of Jazz featuring a fabulous quartet of musicians.

Enjoy some live music at Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing in Weedsport.

Find a new-to-you treasure and support efforts to keep quality items out of the landfill and back into hands that need them.

Finger Lakes Farms will be at the tasting bar at the Finger Lakes Welcome Center. They'll be sampling all things dairy in honor of dairy month. Once you decide on what products you love, you'll be able to purchase them in the Taste NY market.

Dozens of American Indian crafters from across the region showcase hand-made jewelry, artwork, ceramic, woodwork, beadwork, and more. Come to Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona.

Bottleland turns one. Join us in Geneva for wine, grilled hot dogs, and live music.

Another night of music bingo at the Weedsport taproom.

Thank you for reading, sharing,
and being part of this.

Jono Chowdhury
Founder, 315NY