Things to do, places to eat, shows to see, places to stay in Madison County, NY      

This is the second weekend of the the state wide Maple Weekend celebrating all things maple syrup.  Don't forget that Critz Farm is open this weekend both days from 9-3.  They are boiling sap collected right on the farm and will be giving tours of the sugar house and the sugar bush. It looks to a fine weekend weather wise so you have few excuses to get out and explore.  As always don't forget our photo contest. You could win a hot air balloon flight from Airborne Adventures and dozens of other prizes.

The crew from Mohawk Valley Living spent some time in the Canastota and Wampsville areas.  You can view the episodes in order of airing below.

The Palace Theater in Hamilton continues to bring top notch entertainment to Central New York and Madison County.  John Amos, who has starred in Roots, Die Hard, the West Wing and more will bring his one man show Halley's Comet here on Saturday April 4th.  Reservations for the show are recommended as it is expected to sell out.  The show will also be enhanced by the Cora Thomas Gospel Ensemble before the show and during intermission.  Tickets for the show at $20 for adults and $10 for seniors and students.  For more information or to order tickets over the phone call the Palace Theater at 315-824-1420.

Today marks the first day of spring and the signs are all around Madison County.  From the melting piles of snow to the odd pockets of green starting to appear.  Nothing says spring in Central New York State like Maple Syrup.  For hundreds of years, farmers, and the Native Americans who lived here before them, have been tapping maple trees to collect the sap that runs clear in the spring time.  They then boil that sap down to create the sweet yummy goodness that we put on our pancakes year round.  There is nothing like the taste of sweet pure Maple Syrup.  Spring is also the time of year where you can tour farms as they boil down the sap and make wonderful products from maple candy to maple butter.  Open for tours this weekend is Critz Farm in Cazenovia.  Enjoy a pancake meal and tour the sugar bush on a wagon ride.  It is a perfect family day that will cost you very little.  Next weekend is the state-wide maple weekend.  Just another great opportunity to get out, enjoy spring and don't forget to take those photos and enter our photo contest to win a hot air balloon ride from Airborne Adventures and an escape from the Brae Loch Inn.

It has become very chic to be a "localvore" meaning you source your food from within a certain distance from where you live.  You learn more about the producers and you help you local economy.  Morrisville State College and Madison County's Agriculture Economic Development Department want to help equip you with skills that will help you accomplish this.  To that end they have put together a cheese making class for this coming April.  Here are the details:

Learn how to make mozzarella cheese with local cow's milk!
April 18th, 10-3pm
Morrisville State College's Dairy Incubator
Morrisville, NY
$65 includes gourmet local foods lunch at the Copper Turret
RSVP: 315-697-9817

Class is limited to 8 people, so call early to reserve your space!

Would you like to win $100, $500? It’s easy. Come to the 170th Madison County Fair in July and follow the clues to find one of the four “170th Madison County Fair medallions” that will be hidden on the Madison County Fair Grounds in Brookfield.

The 170th Madison County Fair runs from Thursday, July 9 through Sunday, July 12 in Brookfield, N.Y.  Several weeks before the fair, clues will appear in local papers, on WMCR Radio, and will also be put on the County Historian’s web site at htpp://www.madisoncountyhistorian.org. Fair goers will also receive a program when they enter the fairgrounds that will contain clues to the location of the medallions.

Each medallion will be inscribed with the appropriate date and the words “170th Madison County Fair.” The medallion for Thursday, July 9th, Friday, July 10 and Sunday, July 12 are worth $100 each. The medallion for Saturday, July 11 is worth $500. All medallions will remain on site during the FAIR until they are found.

County Historian Mary Messere noted that “this year’s fair has taken a page form the past, offering exhibits and entertainment that are more in line with days of old when people traveled by horse and wagon to enjoy a fun filled day with their friends and neighbors. There is a feeling of excitement in the air as fair organizers have come together each week to report on the progress that is being made and to put plans together for this historic anniversary.  The Madison County Fair is one of the oldest county fairs in the country!”

The fair will kick off with the Opening Day Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Fireman’s Pushball and a 5k run to benefit the Community Action mentoring program.

Friday, July 10th is Senior Citizen Day which promises to be an exciting one with the Madison County Ag Show in the Main Events Tent with a “Focus on Fiber Fair”, a farmer’s market, a small engine antique show, a youth horse show and at the Grandstand a “pony pull” also on tap at the fairgrounds.

Youth and History Day will be celebrated on Saturday, July 11 and the $500 medallion will be placed.  The Main Events Tent will be taken over by the youth groups of Madison County with hands on and interactive exhibits and shows on stage.  Saturday is also history Day and at 1 pm Fred Morsell portraying Frederick Douglass, orator and abolitionist, will be delivering the speech delivered by Dougass and unveiling a NYS Historic Marker.

In 1856, Frederick Douglass spoke at the Madison County Fair and drew a crowd of 12,000. “My goal for the 170th anniversary of the Madison County Fair is to match the 1856 attendance record!” said Messere. “With your help I know we can do it!”

  “The schedule for Saturday, July 11 offers something for everyone including the Focus on Fiber Fair, Small Antique Engine show, a Postal Cancellation, a Chicken Bar Barbecue, Demolition Derby and Fireworks!”
There will be entertainment every day – with  bands. Kids Bucks Show, Two by Two Zoo, Pickles the clown and more. So help Madison County make history! Mark your calendar for July 9 – 12 and “Come to the Fair!”

Last fall a film crew visited the county for a new series on agritourism in New York State.  There will be four parts to the series and we are featured in the first episode, in part 2.  They will be seasonal and Madison County will be featured in each one.

Please join us for our next big show:  "JUST FLOWERS" - Opening night reception on Friday, March 27th from 6-9pm. 

This is our first show that is open to juried entries with proceeds going to the Historic Cazenovia Business District. We encourage everyone to enter. Deadline is March 22nd. Please call or email for more info. 

It will be sure to brighten everyone's March as we all Harken Spring!

Photo above:  Pastel by Nicora Gangi "Freezia" For 'Just Flowers' Opening Night March 27th

Former speaker of the House Newt Gingrich will give a lecture at Colgate University on March 26 titled "President Obama & the Future of the American Freedom." Gingrich, a Republican, will speak at 7:30 p.m. at Colgate's Memorial Chapel. The lecture is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by the college's Center for Freedom and Western Civilization and the College Republicans. Gingrich spent 20 years in Congress and helped create the 1994 "Contract with America" that helped the Republican Party regain control of the House of Representatives for the first time in 40 years. In 1995, he was named "Man of the Year" by Time magazine.