e067 - The 315NY Weekly

Hi {{ first name | reader }},

Happy Friday, 315. On Sunday afternoon, Argentina and Spain play for the World Cup at MetLife Stadium, a few hours down the Thruway, and the Everson is putting the whole thing on a screen out on the plaza. Doors at 2, kickoff at 3. It is the first final ever contested between those two countries, and the first at the end of a 48 team tournament. Bring a chair.

Before that, tonight belongs to Clinton Square. Party in the Square opens its season at 5 with 80s Night, Pop Rox and 13 Curves, food trucks and wine slushies until 11. Derek Hough takes the Crouse Hinds stage at 8 with Symphony of Dance. Then the festivals stack up across the week: Geneva's Summerfest runs Friday and Saturday with fireworks at 9:45, Ogdensburg's Seaway Festival takes over eleven days of parks and waterfront, Louisville throws its Bash weekend with a river float on Saturday morning, and Sunday gives Utica both Mesta Fiesta at the zoo and the Italian Festival on Jay Street. Harborfest comes back Thursday for its 37th year, and the midway opens a day ahead of it.

The North Country has decided it is December. Massena spends Saturday at St. Mary's Social Hall making Christmas crafts from 9 to 3, and Potsdam answers on Wednesday with Christmas in July trivia at Cactus Grill, where there are prizes for the best holiday team name and for anyone willing to wear the sweater in July. In between, Hermon runs its third annual float from Harts Falls down to the Pyrites Fire Station, and Russell opens its carnival with a parade at 1.

The quieter picks are worth your time too. The Erie Canal Museum walks you through the fires that shaped downtown on Friday morning, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo puts yoga mats in front of Penguin Coast at 8:30 on Saturday, and Utica Creative Reuse will teach you to needlepoint plastic canvas on Wednesday so your yarn scraps stay out of the landfill. This week's Foodie Corner stays in Ogdensburg for Wimpy's Inn, where the same secret sauce has gone on the same burger since 1932.

Best, Jono

Join the Erie Canal Museum for this mile-long walk through Downtown Syracuse examining how fires along the Erie Canal, both literal and figurative, shaped the city and state we know today. The tour begins in the museum lobby and covers about a half mile of walking.

Lit Actually in Baldwinsville turns one, and the romance bookshop is marking it with a two-day party. A year of friendships that started in the book aisles, celebrated in the aisles they started in.

The summer concert series opens in Clinton Square with 80s Night, featuring Pop Rox and 13 Curves. Bring your appetite for the food trucks and your thirst for the cold beer, craft beer, wine slushies and cocktails.

Venture into Beaver Lake's forest in Baldwinsville in search of the elusive owl. Along the way you'll learn about the different types of owls in our area and what makes them such fascinating raptors.

Derek Hough brings his fusion of dance and music to the Oncenter's Crouse Hinds Theater, moving through ballroom, tap, salsa, hip-hop and everything in between.

Come do yoga with the penguins at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. Enjoy a peaceful morning, or a not so peaceful one if you have heard the penguins, with Penguin Coast as your backdrop. $30.

Hosted with the CNY Flower Collective at the McCarthy Building on South Salina Street, this monthly market brings together local flower farmers from across Central New York, each offering freshly cut seasonal bunches straight from their fields.

The Friends of Lipe Art Park host their annual celebration of the new art being revealed in the park this year, with vendors on site.

Argentina and Spain meet at MetLife Stadium for the World Cup Final, and the Everson is showing it on the plaza. Kickoff is at 3, so come early and get a spot.

The third Sunday of every month, grab dinner and join the traditional Celtic music session at the Brae Loch Inn in Cazenovia.

The seventh installment of Pops in the Park, the city's free summer music series, brings classic and modern Pop, R&B and Soul from Motown to today. Pop-up Zumba runs before the show.

Will Limpert, a third-generation wreck diver, shares artifacts and video from his dives to historical Atlantic shipwrecks. An after-hours presentation in the Oswego Public Library's community room.

Come enjoy some live music at Water Street Square in Oswego.

Live music under the open sky at Lakeview Lanes and The Yard in Fulton. Gather your friends and bring your lawn chairs.

Summer is in full swing. Join the July Vendor Alley at Lakeview Lanes for a day of sun, shade, and small business magic.

Sip, swirl, and discover your new favorite wine. Lakeview Lanes and The Yard host a sampling of locally crafted wines from the Thousand Islands Winery.

Come listen to some tunes at the Scriba Town Inn.

Join the Williamstown Library to connect with local authors, learn how to build characters and storylines, or simply come for the company.

Summer flavor lasts all year when you know how to preserve it. As the Plant a Seed, Read journey continues, Fulton Public Library kicks off Canning and Preserving Week with its first small-batch berry jam class. Registration is required.

Come stock up on local produce at Mexico High School on Main Street.

Harborfest returns for its 37th year, free as always, with more than two dozen bands across three stages, food, and the biggest fireworks show in Upstate New York. John Waite, Ashley Cooke and Lanie Gardner headline. The midway opens Wednesday, a day ahead of the festival proper.

DJ Bizznez keeps the beats flowing on Munson's front lawn while Amos Donnell hosts open mic karaoke. Lawn games, a cash bar, and plenty of dancing.

The second annual Mesta Fiesta celebrates the Latino community of the Mohawk Valley with authentic Mexican food, live mariachi music, and more.

The annual Italian Festival at St. Mary of Mount Carmel on Jay Street in Utica wraps up its weekend with pizza fritta, food, drinks, entertainment, souvenirs, a flea market, and the Buona Fortuna raffle for $10,000.

Stop in for a cold brew at Copper City Brewing in Rome, and while you enjoy it, get a reading from KelliePsychicMedium or Dave The Seer.

Afternoon Tea returns to Roman's at Valley View on Memorial Parkway in Utica, this time with a view of the valley.

Use up your yarn scraps and keep old plastic canvas out of the landfill. Learn to design your own needlepoint creation with Niki English at Utica Creative Reuse on Columbia Street.

You have seen him on The Voice, now see him live. The Oneida Public Library hosts a night of music in its amphitheater.

This outdoor walking tour at the Oneida Community Mansion House reveals the personal stories of the silver executives and master builders who shaped Kenwood, and the elegant homes they left behind. $30, or $25 for members and students.

The fifth Akwesasne Art Market features more than 100 Indigenous artists, vendors and demonstrators. The Juried Art Show runs Friday evening at the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort, followed by the Art Market on Saturday at Generations Park. Both are free, with art displays, cultural demonstrations, music, food and hands-on activities.

The Ogdensburg International Seaway Festival returns for eleven days of entertainment, competitions and community events stretching across parks, waterfront spaces and local venues.

Louisville hosts its Bash Weekend across all three days. The river float runs Saturday from the bridge on CR 39 to the Route 37 boat launch, with registration at 10 and the float at 11. $25 per person.

Ready to celebrate Christmas a little early? Gather your friends at St. Mary's Social Hall on Cornell Avenue in Massena for a day of creativity, laughter, and holiday magic.

The third annual float starts at Harts Falls in Hermon at 11 and ends at the Pyrites Fire Station, where optional donations will be accepted.

Spice up your evening with some Latin rhythms that make you want to move. Join the Canton Yoga Loft.

The parade steps off at 1 and the carnival follows at Shindigz on the River, with games and prizes, a waterslide, bouncy house, chili cook-off, cake walk, concessions and face painting.

This classical Hatha Yoga class at Maple City Yoga in Ogdensburg offers a steady, mindful practice focused on breath, alignment, and holding postures with intention. Slow-paced, building strength and stability.

Cactus Grill & Cantina in Potsdam hosts a festive Christmas-themed trivia competition and a 50/50 raffle. Special prizes go to the best holiday-themed team name, and to anyone brave enough to wear their favorite Christmas sweater.

Geneva's free family festival returns to the Recreation Complex on Exchange Street with the Geneva Family YMCA. Live entertainment, food, games, community activities, and fireworks at 9:45 on Friday night.

Poke around Prison City North in Auburn with Proud Walkers, a Grateful Dead tribute band covering all the hits and then some.

The second annual Blues, BBQ & Bourbon at Montezuma Winery in Seneca Falls brings a full day of bourbon tastings, craft cocktails and BBQ-inspired food. The David Greybeard Band plays 11 to 2.

Live music at Buttonwood Grove Winery overlooking Cayuga Lake, with Harvy Fonda playing this week. Sip your favorite Buttonwood Grove wines and grab a bite from the Between the Groves food truck.

Not Yourhill Productions brings local crafters, artisans and psychic readers to the beer garden at WeBe Brewing in Geneva. The Coopers & Coffee car meet runs at the same spot from 10 to noon, so come for the cars and stay for the readings.

Create FLX takes over the upstairs at The Artist's Lounge in Seneca Falls to build colorful mosaic sea turtles, made for beach decor, patios and lake homes. $45, and this one has already sold out, so get on the wait list.

The Cayuga Museum's summer series wraps on the back lawn under the ginkgo tree with Petty Thieves, a Tom Petty tribute. Moonchot's Thai food truck on site, cash bar, pay what you wish.

A guided painting evening at The Artist's Lounge on Fall Street in Seneca Falls, where you'll create your own 11x14 moonlit summer landscape with William Clinton. $40, benefiting the Family Hope Center.

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

Jono Chowdhury
Founder, 315NY