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

Is it really the end of summer?  Boy I hope not, but I have been seeing more and more maple trees with orange in their palate of leaves.  Well the Labor Day weekend is traditionally a time to have that last summer BBQ and enjoy friends and family.  This year is no different and I have some great ideas for you this labor day weekend.
1. The weather is going to be outstanding, so why not check out one of the great parks in Madison County.  From Chittenango Falls to Oxbow Falls there are plenty of places to light a BBQ grill and start a softball game or take a hike.  In fact, Oxbow Falls even offers a disc golf course which is a perfect family activity.
2. Pick up all the supplies you need from beef to beefsteak tomatoes at a farmer's market.  This is the best time of year to visit the farmer's markets in Canastota, Cazenovia and Hamilton on Saturday.  All of the produce is in season and the farmers will sell you the freshest direct from their fields.
3. While in Cazenovia check out the business district as they take it to the curb.  This first time event allows visitors to show off their sidewalk art skills.  Shops will provide the chalk you provide the artistic inspiration and maybe even find some back to school bargins.
4. Start the weekend right by stopping by the Colgate Inn tonight for live music fromMyoclonic Jerk.  They will perform from 7-10 and the Inn will have end of summer dinner specials.
5. On Sunday in Canastota it is the annual Labor of Love.  This is an all day event to raise money for the Erick D Stevens scholarship fund. Live Music, Food , Basket Raffle, Quilt raffle and Auction. 11am to 9 p.m. At ZEMS ICE CREAM on Main Street in Canastota.

Whatever you decide to do this weekend, remember to do it safely and make your own special occasion right here in Madison County.

By Sydney L. Loftus , Executive Director, Madison County Historical Society
Travel with the Madison County Historical Society on a guided Hop Heritage and Cuisine Tour around Madison County on Sunday, Sept. 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations to book your seat must be made by Sept. 5. Stops along the way include sites related to the 19th century hop industry in Madison County from a beautifully well-preserved 1867 limestone English oast house, to a double pyramidal hop kiln, to dormitories that once housed hop pickers, to Foothill Hops, an active hop yard. Light fare and craft brew will be served at the stops at area restaurants. Participating restaurants are: Blue Barbecue of Chittenango who is pairing with Brown's Brewing of Troy; Meyers Chocolates of Oneida who is pairing with Ommegang Brewery of Cooperstown; and Nirchi's Italian Grill of Cazenovia who is pairing with Middle Ages of Syracuse. Butternuts Brewery of Garratsville will also be making an appearance at one of the kiln stops on the tour with a savory beer can chicken recipe.
The tour also includes sites in Bouckville from James D. Coolidge's hop yard and gravesite to his son, James E. Coolidge's home- present location of the Ye Olde Landmark Tavern. James D. Coolidge is credited for introducing hops commercially to New York State in 1808. In the fall of 1816, he transported a load of hops to the New York City market. Thus, earning his place in Madison County and New York State history. Nearby counties saw how lucrative hops were becoming for Madison County farmers that they followed suit. By 1880, Madison, Otsego, and Oneida Counties were producing over 80 percent of the nation's hops.
Other sites viewed will be those newly identified by the Cultural Resource Survey of Hop Heritage Sites in Madison County, a project funded by Preserve New York, a grant program of the Preservation League of New York State and the New York State Council on the Arts. A report on the survey with many photos of sites will be give at 10 a.m. during the 13th Madison County Hop Fest on Saturday, Sept. 13.
The 13th Annual Madison County Hop Fest has expanded to a weekend long event commencing Friday, Sept. 12 through Sept. 14. On Friday, Sept. 12, join them at the Ye Olde Landmark Tavern for a paired brew dinner with Cooperstown Brewing. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at the restaurant, or at the historical society, or online at www.mchs1900.org. Reservations must be made by Sept. 5. On Saturday, Sept. 13, join them on the society's grounds at 435 Main St. in Oneida for Taste of Hops: a food and brew pairing from noon to 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 advance, $20 at the door if available, only 200 will be sold. Saturday's activities continue under the Brew Sampling Tent from 2:30-5:30 p.m. where participants can sample various styles of craft brew for over 20 breweries. Tickets for the brew sampling are $25 advance, $30 at the door. Advance brew tickets can be purchased at Arnie's Produce/Kraig's Kegs in Sherrill, Roger's Market in Hamilton, the historical society, or online at www.mchs1900.org. The Hop Fest opens at 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with day-long presentations on hop culture, a raffle, hopshop, and home brewer demonstrations. At 2 p.m. join them for the crowning of the Madison County Hop King, Dan Mitchell, owner of Ithaca Beer Co.
For more information about the 13th Annual Madison County Hop Fest and purchasing tickets, please contact the Madison County Historical Society, 435 Main St., Oneida, NY 13421, 315. 363.4136, 315.361.9735, email history@mchs1900.org, or visit website at www.mchs1900.org. All proceeds from the Hop Fest support the educational programming at the Madison County Historical Society. The Madison County Hop Fest is a 21-year and older event. Admission is charged only for the brew dinner, brew sampling, restaurant and brew pairing, and the hop heritage and cuisine tour.

Can you believe that the leaves are changing ALREADY!? Summer is coming to a close a little too quick in my book. I hope you've had a chance to enjoy some of the great activities and events that have taken place this summer in our area. If you haven't had a chance to visit one of the local farmers markets....what are you waiting for? Get out there and pick up some delicious locally grown produce and hand crafted goods. There is no better time than now to take advantage of the fact that you live in a booming agricultural area. Whether you stop by a farmers market or just stop by a roadside stand...support your local farmers!

A few ideas for you to ponder are located in Cazenovia and Earlville. First, in Cazenovia at the Stone Quarry Art Park, an ongoing art exhibit continues this weekend. The Exhibition honors Rodger Mack, an important American Artist whose life was a significant influence on many artists and the world of Art. The gallery is open from 12-4pm. For more information, visit Stone Quarry Art Park.

Second, The Earlville Opera House Presents: Pine Leaf Boys: Traditional Cajun and Creole. The Pine Leaf Boys have made a name for presenting their own inimitable brand of traditional Cajun and Creole music with youthful exuberance. Being described as, "... the link that connects the young and the old generations," and, "the best new, energetic, and fun Cajun band in a very long time," the Pine Leaf Boys play the old fashion dance hall standards while making a point to bring many of the more obscure songs of past masters into their repertoire and play them with gusto. The show begins at 8pm on Saturday night. For more information on this or any EOH show, or for ticket information, please visit, The Earlville Opera House.  

The forecast says its supposed to be a hot one this weekend so check our events calendar for events and activities perfect for you and your family. Get outside and be active...enjoy the weather while its here.  

It seemed like attendance was a little light on Sunday, but all and all Bouckville 2008 was a strong year.  The weather while not perfect, worked out very well.  Start your plans for 2009 and we will see you there next year.  Enjoy the slide show with sights from this year's show!

Well the rain and wind came blowing into Bouckville today but that did not keep crowds away.  With the weather forecast for tomorrow being very nice, we are expecting record crowds.  There have been about 15% more Visitors to the information center in Bouckville this year and everyone we speak to is having a great time.  We will check in again tomorrow and update the slideshow with pictures from the main show field. 

While talking to some friends this past weekend, comments were said such as, "wow, it sure was cold this weekend". Let my clarify what "cold" was...65 degrees. This makes me laugh considering if it was April. we would all be outside in a t-shirt and shorts celebrating a heat wave. This is one of the reasons why I love CNY. Its similar to the gas price situation...did you ever think we'd be saying, "you better hurry down to such and such a place...gas is ONLY $3.99 a gallon"! With the way that prices are going up on everything, its difficult for people to leave the area for recreation and shopping. Sure, you could take a drive to NYC for a shopping trip, but by the time you got there, you wouldn't have any $ to shop. There are events taking place locally this weekend that are close by, which will leave you lots of money to pick up that item you've been searching for.

Bouckville - This year, the 37th Annual weekend show kicks off on Friday the 15th  with the opening of the main show field.  This field will hold over 1,000 dealers from all over the United States and Canada. Event goers can purchase an early bird pass, allowing them to browse and shop on Friday, while the antique dealers are unpacking. Or, buy a weekend pass and shop all day on Saturday and Sunday from 9am-5pm. 

 Admission per person to the main field is $6.00 for one day, $7.00 for both days and children under 12 are free. Early bird tickets may be purchased from 7am-4pm on Friday. Early bird buying begins and 10am.Early bird shopping passes are $40.00 for one person or $75.00 for two people and double as an all weekend pass.
For more information please visit, www.bouckvilleantiqueshows.com/
Visit the Madison County Tourism Visitors Center located right in the middle of  the action on Route 20. Information on all Madison County activities is available as well as free parking during the show. 

 Cazenovia - 28th Annual Pottery Fair: A fun filled weekend of family-friendly activities and shopping at the beautiful Stone Quarry Hill Art Park. Enjoy pottery demonstrations, explore the sculpture gardens, glaze your own raku, play with clay at claytown, shop the pottery barns and win pottery in the raffle. This year special exhibits include, Christmas ornaments, Garden sculptures, Raku and a wall sculpture. Members of the Syracuse Ceramic Guild will be available to answer your pottery questions and share ideas about great pottery. Bring the kids and show off your artisitc side. 

 Wampsville - ArcStock - A Music Festival: Bring Your Love Beads and Your Lawn Chairs!!!! ArcStock - a music festival, is being hosted by Madison Cortland ARC to commemorate the 40th anniversary of providing services in Madison County. Six bands of regional and national acclaim have already signed for this exciting concert event being held on Aug. 16 at the Wampsville Firemen’s Field. The music festival will run from noon to 6 p.m. There will be a $15 suggested donation at the gate, and concessions will be hosted by the Wampsville Fire Dept. Featuring Flame- www.flametheband.com Dan Elliott & The Monterays- www.danelliottandthemonterays.com The Billionaires- www.billionairesband.com Aztec Two-Step- www.aztectwostep.com Jeremy Wallace Trio- www.jeremywallace.com David Snediker- www.snedhead.com Contact Christine Sears at 315-363-3389 ext. 227 for more information.

Also, a motorcycle run, the Fifth Annual Ride for the ARC, will also take place before ArcStock on Aug. 16. For more information on the ride, go to www.redknights19.org or www.madisoncortlandarc.org.  

It is Thursday morning and a little foggy out here in Bouckville for the start of the 4th day of Madison-Bouckville Antique Week.  It will be the biggest day of the week so far.  There will be over 500 dealers in town today and many will be looking to cut a deal before moving onto the main field tomorrow.  The weather forecast is for lots of sun today and it should be a great day of antiquing.  See you out here today!

Well, we dodged the rain showers yet again today and the weather was phenomenal at Antique Week.  The good folks at Nirchi's brought us down an awesome pizza loaded with veggies and pepperoni and Ma Ma Shep was set up selling her great pulled pork, hot dogs and other assorted goodies.  A lot of antiquers were in town today and a lot of merchandise was sold.  Today's picture of the day is this really neat gumball machine that was along US 20.  Alas, but I think it now has a new home.

The weather looks great for the weekend, but the best deals in town can be found tomorrow.  Many dealers are getting ready on Thursday to head to the main field, and many visitors from around the Northeast will be in town to scoop up one of a kind merchandise and find that special treasure only at Bouckville.  Hope to see you at the show!

The weather is outstanding today in Bouckville and what little rain is in the area continues to bypass us out here.  There is a nice crowd today and plenty of free parking and admission.  The various dealers have a lot of interesting items for sale including this croc head that is my picture of the day.  Again I found this on the north side of Route 20.  The East Expo and Quaker Acres fields opened today and food vendors and in full swing with their fine variety of culinary treasures (who needs the State Fair anyhow).  Hope to see you here the rest of the week!  Keep checking back as I update the slide show regularly.