Some links of relevance and interest to Madison County's Tourism community:
U-Pick Strawberries are in season.  (syracuse.com)
CNY Farmer's Markets are open too. (syracuse.com)
Enjoy a cold Tecate Beer in Canastota this weekend (Boxing News 24)
Julio Cesar Chavez ready for induction. (Boxing Scene)
Tyson and Stallone's exact arrival still up in the air (syracuse.com)


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A golf foursome with Karl Slover.
We going to try a little something new at the blog this summer.  With so many great events, and so many news stories out there, we are going to open the week with a link dump of all sorts of information.  This may happen once a week, it may happen every day, but we will start with today.  A lot of great links in the great big internet involving Madison County today from this past weekend.  Enjoy!
Oz-Stravaganza! takes over Chittenango (Syracuse Post Standard)
Mike Tyson Set to be inducted to Boxing Hall of Fame (NY Daily News)
Civil War Commemorations Come to Madison County (Syracuse Post Standard)
Bouckville Show to Last One Week (Utica Observer Dispatch)
Fiber Fair this Weekend (Syracuse Post Standard)
Children Channel Wizard of Oz (Oneida Daily Dispatch)
Fiber Fair in Bouckville (Oneida Daily Dispatch)
Reenactments Commemorate Civil War (syracuse.com)
Stallone and his Induction to the Boxing Hall (examiner.com)
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The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum announced today the newest class of inductees to enter the Hall. Living inductees include three-division champion Julio Cesar Chavez (Mexico), junior welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu (Russia / Australia), heavyweight champion Mike Tyson (USA), trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain (Mexico), referee Joe Cortez (USA) and screenwriter Sylvester Stallone (USA). 
“We’re extremely excited about the Class of 2011 and very much looking forward to honoring the 22nd class of inductees,” said Executive Director Edward Brophy.
The 22nd Annual Hall of Fame Weekend is scheduled for June 9-12th in Canastota, NY. Over 20 events, including a golf tournament, banquet, parade and autograph card show, are planned. An impressive celebrity lineup of boxing greats of yesterday and today will attend this year’s Induction Weekend. The highlight of the weekend will be the Official Enshrinement Ceremony on the Hall of Fame Museum Grounds in Canastota, New York on Sunday, June 12th to welcome the newest members.  For information on hotels and B&B's in the Canastota area visit Madison County Tourism. 
The Hall of Fame also released names of posthumous honorees: bantamweight Memphis Pal Moore, light heavyweight champion Jack Root and welterweight and middleweight Dave Shade in the Old-Timer Category; promoter A.F. Bettinson in the Non Participant Category; broadcaster Harry Carpenter in the Observer Category; and John Gully in the Pioneer Category. Inductees were voted in by members of the Boxing Writers Association and a panel of international boxing historians.
For more information on the events planned for the 2011 International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend, please call the Hall of Fame at (315) 697-7095 or visit www.ibhof.com.
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This week on Friday Night Fights on ESPN there was a nice recap of the entire induction weekend.  Here is how ESPN saw it.
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The 2nd weekend of June is always a heavy weight weekend when it comes to events.  Two big event headline the card this weekend and the under card is stuffed as well.  Ok, enough boxing puns for this post.  There is a full schedule of events going on this weekend, and here are some best best for family fun.
1. Saturday and Sunday features the 21st annual Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Weekend in Canastota.  Boxing’s greatest names are on hand for a weekend of tributes to the sport & its champions. Museum tours by celebrities, ringside lectures, celebrity boxing, golf tournament Banquet, parade at 1pm on Sunday followed by the induction ceremony.
2. It is a busy weekend in Peterboro as it is the annual Civil War Weekend.  There are activities at the Gerrit Smith National Historic Landmark, the National Abolition Hall of Fame and on the village green.  Step back in time with encampments, skirmishes, period music and demonstrations, children's games, and an authentic General Store. This is a fund raiser for the preservation of Peterboro's historic buildings. Saturday, 10 am ~ 5 pm, Sunday, 10 am ~ 4 pm, Adults $7, Children 6-12 $3, Under 6 yrs free
3. The Skyway Festival takes to Hooks Wiltse field in the village of Hamilton bringing a large variety music to the village.  After the bands are finished playing several will be jamming at local night spots in the village.
4. Farmer's markets can be found in Hamilton, Cazenovia, Oneida and Canastota this weekend on Saturday, buy fresh, buy local.
5. The 15th annual Nate Race/Titletown Run in Canastota begins early Saturday morning.  It is one of the many thrilling events during the International Boxing Hall of Fame induction weekend. Race starts at 8:30am. Start line is near the Canastota Recreation park, on North Main St., Canastota, NY. The course is flat and fast, come ready to run! For complete information and race entry form call 315-697-35-17 or email doug_r_holdrdige@adp.com
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World Middleweight Champ Sergio Martinez
The opening bell has rung on the 21st Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, June 10-13th. A huge gathering of boxing legends of yesterday and today has been assembled to participate in festivities in Canastota.
Among the 45 plus boxing stars slated to participate in the four-day affair include Hall of Famers Carmen Basilio, Carlos Ortiz, Emile Griffith, Ruben Olivares, Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor, Ken Norton, Gene Fullmer, Nino Benvenuti, Don Chargin, J Russell Peltz, Bert Sugar, Angelo Dundee, Emanuel Steward, Lou Duva, Daniel Zaragoza and Bob Arum.
Joining the Hall of Famers will be special guests Christy Martin, Livingstone Bramble, Marlon Starling, Leon Spinks, Micky Ward, Vito Antuofermo, Ron Lyle, Earnie Shavers, Tony DeMarco, Billy Backus, Dickie DiVeronica, George Chuvalo, Gerry Cooney, Ray Mercer, Buddy McGirt, James “Buster’ Douglas, Tommy “The Duke” Morrison, Hector “Macho” Camacho, Joe Cortez and Kenny Bayless.
Also, many of boxing’s top stars including middleweight champion Sergio Martinez, IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute, former bantamweight and super bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez, WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck and IBF cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham will be in attendance.
The four-day Hall of Fame Weekend features over twenty events including a banquet, golf tournament, 5K Race / Fun Run, the Parade of Champions and the Official Induction Ceremony on Sunday, June 14th at 2:30 p.m.
Opening ceremony to officially kick off Hall of Fame Weekend festivities is slated for today (June 10th) at 5 p.m. at the Event Pavilion on the Hall of Fame grounds.
New inductees to be honored are light flyweight champion Jung-Koo Chang (South Korea), featherweight champion Danny “Little Red” Lopez (USA), manager Shelly Finkel (USA), referee / commissioner Larry Hazzard (USA), promoter Wilfried Sauerland (Germany), matchmaker Bruce Trampler (USA) and journalist Ed Schuyler (USA). Posthumous inductees will also be honored.
“The Hall of Fame Weekend is boxing's highlight weekend of the year. In Canastota, boxing fans can mingle with an incredible roster of boxing legends and celebrate the great sport,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy. "The Hall of Fame Weekend is for anyone who loves the sport of boxing."
For more information on the 21st Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, please call 315-697-7095.
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The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced former WBO heavyweight champion “Merciless” Ray Mercer will attend festivities planned for the 21st Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend set for June 10-13th.  “Ray Mercer was a hard-punching heavyweight and was involved in some truly exciting bouts,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy. “We’re looking forward to welcoming him to Canastota for the first time.”

 Mercer compiled an 85-6 amateur record and captured the 1988 Olympic heavyweight gold medal. He turned pro in 1989 and wins over Garing Lane, Ossie Ocasio, Kimmuel Odum and Bert Cooper set up a WBO title-winning clash with Francesco Damiani in 1991 (KO 9). In his first defense he scored a dramatic 5th round TKO over Tommy “The Duke” Morrison. Stripped of the title in 1992, he went on to score wins over Jesse Ferguson, Tim Witherspoon and Darroll Wilson among others. He was unsuccessful in a 2002 WBO title bid against Wladimir Klitschko. Mercer’s pro record stands at 36-7-1 (26 KOs).

 The June 10-13th Hall of Fame Induction Weekend will feature over 20 exciting events including a banquet, Madison Square Garden night, parade, golf tournament, cocktail party, and the official induction ceremony honoring the Class of 2010. Living inductees to be honored at the Official Induction Ceremony on Sunday, June 13th are light flyweight champion Jung-Koo Chang (South Korea), featherweight champion Danny “Little Red” Lopez (USA), manager Shelly Finkel (USA), referee / commissioner Larry Hazzard (USA), promoter Wilfried Sauerland (Germany), matchmaker Bruce Trampler (USA) and journalist Ed Schuyler (USA). Posthumous inductees will also be honored.

 Over 40 boxing stars are scheduled to participate in weekend festivities. In addition to Mercer, other stars slated to appear include Nino Benvenuti, Carmen Basilio, Tony DeMarco, Ken Norton, Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor, Angelo Dundee, Leon Spinks, “Irish” Micky Ward, Gerry Cooney, Lou Duva and many others.

 For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 21st Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095 or visit www.ibhof.com.
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The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced today Canastota’s two world champions Carmen Basilio and Billy Backus have been named Grand Marshals of the 21st Annual Boxing Hall of Fame Parade of Champions scheduled for Sunday, June 13th at 1 p.m.
This year the Village of Canastota is celebrating it’s Bicentennial (1810 – 2010). The Hall of Fame is honored to join the community in celebrating this landmark occasion by naming our two world champions the 2010 Parade Grand Marshals.  The distinction of having two world champions from one small village is even more special as they are related – Basilio is Backus’ uncle.
“Carmen and Billy focused world attention on Canastota and the Hall of Fame is extremely excited about paying tribute to them by having them lead the parade,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. 
Basilio, nicknamed  “The Upstate Onion Farmer,” was born in Canastota, NY. He twice won the world welterweight title, first from Tony DeMarco in 1955 and then from Johnny Saxton in 1956 before defeating Sugar Ray Robinson for the middleweight crown in 1957.
“I always like being around friends and family. There is nothing like being in my hometown and I am very honored to be named grand marshal along with my nephew, Billy Backus,” said Basilio.
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Carmen Basilio signs a glove for a fan
The International Boxing Hall of Fame has announced that former ring rivals Carmen Basilio and Tony DeMarco will celebrate the 55th Anniversary of 1955’s “Fight of the Year” at the Banquet of Champions on Saturday, June 12th at the Syracuse OnCenter. The banquet is part of festivities planned for the 21st Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend set for June 10- 13th.
On June 10, 1955, Basilio and DeMarco waged a welterweight title war that saw Basilio score a dramatic 12th round TKO to capture the belt. It was instantly the leading contender for “Fight of the Year.” But lighting struck twice as the two warriors fought another epic contest in the November 30th rematch. Basilio again scored a 12th round TKO to retain his title.  The rematch was named “Fight of the Year.”
“The two Basilio and DeMarco fights are truly legendary battles in boxing history,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy. “Boxing fans will surely enjoying recalling these two battles – including their ‘Fight of the Year’ - with them at the Banquet of Champions.”
Basilio, nicknamed  “The Upstate Onion Farmer,” was born in Canastota, NY. He twice won the world welterweight title, first from Tony DeMarco in 1955 and then from Johnny Saxton in 1956 before defeating Robinson for the middleweight crown in 1957. With an aggressive, charging style and a powerful left hook, Basilio scored wins over Lew Jenkins, Ike Williams and Billy Graham among others during his career. His pro record reads 56-16-7 (27 KOs).  In 1990, he was elected into the Boxing Hall of Fame.
The fighting pride of Boston, MA, DeMarco captured the welterweight title from Johnny Saxton in 1955.  During his career, he fought eight world champion and registered wins over Paddy DeMarco, Wallace “Bud” Smith, Kid Gavilan and Don Jordan. He also defeated top contenders Chico Vejar and Gaspar Ortega. His pro record reads 58-12-1 (33 KOs).
The banquet is a one-of-a-kind event with over 40 boxing celebrities under one roof. Other boxing stars joining Basilio and DeMarco will be Ken Norton, Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor, Nino Benvenuti, Emile Griffith, Angelo Dundee, Leon Spinks, James “Buster” Douglas, Gerry Cooney, Lou Duva and many others.
The evening will consist of cocktails, dinner, celebrity comments, video highlights, a commemorative program and much more. Tickets are priced at $135 and corporate tables of 10 are available at $1350.
In addition to the banquet, the June 10-13th Hall of Fame Induction Weekend will feature over 20 exciting events including a parade, golf tournament, cocktail party and the official induction ceremony honoring the Class of 2010. Living inductees to be honored at the Official Induction Ceremony on Sunday, June 13th are light flyweight champion Jung-Koo Chang (South Korea), featherweight champion Danny “Little Red” Lopez (USA), manager Shelly Finkel (USA), referee / commissioner Larry Hazzard (USA), promoter Wilfried Sauerland (Germany), matchmaker Bruce Trampler (USA) and journalist Ed Schuyler (USA). Posthumous inductees will also be honored.
For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 21st Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095.  For information on places to stay or places to eat while in Canastota visit www.madisontourism.com
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The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum announced today the newest class of inductees to enter the Hall. Living inductees include light flyweight champion Jung-Koo Chang (South Korea), featherweight champion Danny “Little Red” Lopez (USA), manager Shelly Finkel (USA), referee / commissioner Larry Hazzard (USA), promoter Wilfried Sauerland (Germany), matchmaker Bruce Trampler (USA) and journalist Ed Schuyler (USA). 
“We’re extremely excited about the Class of 2010 and very much looking forward to honoring the 21st class of inductees,” said Executive Director Edward Brophy.  “All living inductees are anticipated to attend and participate in 2010 Hall of Fame Weekend festivities.” 
The 21st Annual Hall of Fame Weekend is scheduled for June 10-13th in Canastota, NY. Over 20 events, including a golf tournament, banquet, parade and autograph card show, are planned. An impressive celebrity lineup of boxing greats of yesterday and today will attend this year’s Induction Weekend. The highlight of the weekend will be the Official Enshrinement Ceremony on the Hall of Fame Museum Grounds in Canastota, New York on Sunday, June 13th to welcome the newest members. 
The Hall of Fame also released names of posthumous honorees: light heavyweight Lloyd Marshall in the Modern Category; featherweight champion Young Corbett II, lightweight champion Rocky Kansas and light heavyweight and heavyweight contender Billy Miske in the Old-Timer Category; broadcaster Howard Cosell in the Observer Category; and Paddington Tom Jones in the Pioneer Category. Inductees were voted in by members of the Boxing Writers Association and a panel of international boxing historians.
   For more information on the events planned for the 2010 International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend, please call the Hall of Fame at (315) 697-7095.
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