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This blog is a little late seeing how the Hop Fest dinner was over 10 days ago, but the dinner this year was so good, I just needed to share it with you in hopes that if you are reading this next year you will make the decision to come.
This year's dinner was held at Blue BBQ in Chittenango.  This is not your uncle's BBQ joint, at least it doesn't try to be.  The dinner was set in the dining room of the restaurant which was closed to regular patrons that evening.  (The bar area remained open with a full menu)  The dining room is nicely appointed and it features chocolate walls with blue accent lighting. Nice tables and chairs were adorned with cloth napkins, glass goblets for water and five forks.  Even I was curious about 5 forks, but it became clear really fast that we would need them all.
The premise of the Hop Fest paired brew dinner is to discover how various kinds of beers match up with a variety of foods.  Tonight we would be trying 5 beers matched up with five courses.  A young lady from Tri-Valley beverage was on hand to instruct us about the beers we were enjoying.
Now on to the dinner....
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Last night we held our annual summer picnic for Madison County Tourism, Inc. We chose the award winning Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum to showcase all the great work they have done there. Did you know they have excellent meeting space available to the community to rent for meetings, get togethers, reunions etc.? I knew it, but had never used it until last night. The facility is top-notch. I would highly recommend it to anyone who needs space and wants to keep it in the county, and at the same time support one of the best museum assets out there! The 2nd thumbs up goes to Blue BBQ who catered the event. What can I say? Awesome pulled pork, nice BBQ chicken, potato salad, macaroni salad, beans. It all was delicious and was a huge hit with those who were in attendance. Please support them this summer when you are hosting summer parties, they do take out, delivery for catering and their price is very reasonable. Two great assets in the village of Chittenango, support them and buy local!
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Blacksmithing Demonstraton at Canal Fest

It is Father's Day weekend, so make sure you remember to pamper dad as much as you did mom back in May.  Why is it that there are no all you can eat BBQ specials on Father's Day to complement the traditional Mother's Day Brunch.  I guess we will have to work on the local restaurants for that one.  Without further ado, here are your best bests for Father's Day weekend:
1. Canal Fest at the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum--A family fun event filled with activities to celebrate Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum's 25th Anniversary. Starts at 11 AM untll 5 PM at 7010 Lakeport Rd. in Chittenango. Kids games, wagon rides, clown, magician, alpacas, spinning demo, music by Canastota Community Band and chicken BBQ from noon til ? Admission $5, members $3, under 12 free.
2. Wings over Hamilton -- Father's Day "Fly-In" Pancake Breakfast from 8am-1pm on Sunday! Event location, Hamilton Municipal Airport (KVGC) Advance tickets are Adults $7, Child (6-10) $4, 5 and under free. Activities will include; Airplane/helicopterrides, hot air balloon walk, hot rod and motorcycle cruise-in, door prizes and raffle, fire and rescue display and the community band. Call 315-824-2300 or see a Hamilton Business alliance or Hamilton Rotary member for advanced sale tickets. Tikeyts at the door will be Adult $8 and Child (6-10) $5.
3. Euro Car 2010-- On Sunday the MG Car Club of Central NY presents Eurocar 2010 on the graceful lawns at Lorenzo State Historic Park on Route 20 in Cazenovia, 9am-3pm, open to all vehicles and motorcycles of European make. 250 entries are expected this year. Judging, food, trophies, vendors and door prizes. Pre-reg: $7, day of show-$14, Vendors-$14 minimum charge. Generous sponsorship allows us to have free spectator admission and great awards. A major portion of our proceeds will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. For details or registration form, see http://www.mgcarclub.com/cny or call Deb Larkin at 315-342-3234.
4. The Limestone Creek Hunt Club will host a Poker Run over a marked course of 7 miles. Teams of one to four riders. Six ribbons pinned for best hand and closest to the Optimum Time. Food available thanks to Buzzys Wiener wagon. Located at Sears Farm on Homes Road in Cazenovia. Contact for more information.
5. Go Fishing -- The season opener for Bass is on Saturday.  Take dad out and fish in one of the lakes, streams and ponds in Madison County!
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Oz-Stravaganza's EMERALD CITY IDOL 2010 was a success!  Last night (Sunday, June 13th) a total of 25 talented finalists sang for our three judges in front of a full house at Chittenango High School. The judges for the evening were Kristie Grant- a well-known director/choreographer/actor from the Syracuse theatre scene, DeafGeoff- Producer of "Marty and Shannon in the Morning" on HOT107.9, and Julie MacConnell- the Director of Interactive Marketing & Communications for Clear Channel Radio Syracuse. By the end of the energized evening a 1st ($300), 2nd ($200), and 3rd ($100) place were awarded in each of the three age groups.

First Age Group (Ages 6-11)
1st place: Sara Goodwin (Baldwinsville, NY) - Sang "Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts
2nd place: Alexiss Garm (Kirkville, NY) - Sang "So Small" by Carrie Underwood
3rd place: Allyson DeCroce (Manlius, NY) - Sang "Popular" from Wicked the musical

Second Age Group (Ages 12-16)
1st place: Troy O'Brien (Potsdam, NY) - Sang "Hallelujah" by Alexandra Burke
2nd place: Julia Goodwin (Baldwinsville, NY) - Sang "At Last" by Etta James
3rd place: Kim March (Munnsville, NY) - Sang "Black Horse and a Cherry Tree" by KT Tunstall

Third Age Group (Ages 17 & Up)
1st place: Corie Manzi (North Syracuse, NY) - Sang "Defying Gravity" from Wicked the musical
2nd place: Alexis Jasek (Chittenango, NY) - Sang "Put Your Records On" by Corinne Bailey Rae
3rd place: Shane Reed (Oneida, NY) - Sang "Hallelujah" by Alexandra Burke
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"Emerald City Idol" Finals have been Re-scheduled for Sunday June 13th at Chittenango High School.
The finals for the "Emerald City Idol" singing competition which were cancelled due to the severve storm that ripped through Oz-Stravaganza! Park last Sunday have been re-scheduled for Sunday June 13th at 6:00 pm in the auditorium at Chittenango High School, 150 Genesee St, Chittenango.
The finals consists of 25 talented singers performing in 3 age groups, ages 6 through adult. The finalists are competing for $1,800.00 in prize money. The event is free to the public. For further information contact: ECidol@gmail.com, marc@oz-stravaganza, 430-0765, or 415-8546.
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Who invited the tornado to Oz-Stravaganza?  Not to mention it was 18 hours late for the costume contest.  Thankfully no one was hurt, but the Sunday Oz events were toned down and many vendors had a lot to pick up.  Saturday was outstanding however, and the parade was great as always.  Here are some great pictures of that parade with many more after the jump!
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Many years ago, Madison County Tourism produced a travel guide themed "From Antiques to Oz".  That theme sums up this weekend's events in Madison County.  Oz-Stravaganza! has already began and the antique dealers are setting up their tents as I write this in Bouckville.  So without further ado, here are your best bets for a fun weekend n Madison County:
1. Oz-Stravaganza!--It's the annual celebration of all things Wizard of Oz in Chittenango.  It starts this afternoon and runs right through Sunday evening.  The parade is set for 2pm on Saturday and if you are coming for the costume contest, registration begins at 12:15.
2. Spring Antique Show -- Everyone knows the Madison Bouckville Summer Antique Show that happens in August every year.  This weekend marks the spring show in Madison and Bouckville.  There are many deals to be found and smaller crowds than in August.  Check it out tomorrow and Sunday.
3. Saturday is National Trails Day and the local chapter of the North Country Trail Association will celebrate it at Stone Quarry Art Park tomorrow.  Convene at the hilltop area adjacent to the Stone Quarry Art Park Admin Building by 10am. You will be able to explore one of the Art Park Trails of your choice, tour the exhibit hall, learn about the many attractions offered by the Art Park, and check out the NCT/Link Trail segment within the park. At noon, reassemble at the picnic table area immediately adjacent to the Admin Building for refreshments.
4. For the 10th time, the DeRuyter Ruritan will be sponsoring an Antique Auto and Engine Show with gas engine demos, antique tractor parade and demos, a chicken bbq, and music highlight the afternoon of family fun. Cars will be judged in 12 classes and there will be vendors with crafts and a flea market.
5. On Sunday, June 6 the public is invited to join the fun and reminisce about “Milk Cow Memories,” a dairy history day and old fashioned family picnic. It will be held at The Smithfield Community Center, 5255Pleasnt Valley Road in Peterboro, NY beginning at noon and ending at 4 PM. Guests are asked to bring a dish-to-pass, along with scrapbooks, pictures, and antiques pertaining to the rich history of dairy farming in Central New York. In particular, we’re looking for Holstein enthusiasts and people who’ve devoted their lives to dairy farming.
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The special guests are arriving, the rides are set up, the Village is looking Ozzy and it is time for the 32nd Oz-Stravaganza! to begin in Chittenango to honor native son L. Frank Baum. Running June 4th - 6th there are a multitude of events to please Oz fans of all ages wether you are a fan of the Oz books, movie or both. A complete schedule of events can be found  and downloaded at: www.oz-stravaganza.com.

The grand Oz parade kicks off at 2:00 pm on Saturday June 5th on Route 5 / Genesee Street featuring bands, Ozzy floats, marching units, animals, Munchkins, Baum family members, Oz characters and more. Jane Lahr and Maya Gottfried, daughter and granddaughter of Bert Lahr, The Cowardly Lion have been named as grand marshals of the parade which is themed "The Emerald City of Oz" for Baum's book by the same title that was released in 1910.
The weekend features three silent auctions offering many rare and one of a kind Oz items for the serious Oz collector including many items autographed by the Munchkins, unique Oz art by a variety of artists, "Memories of a Munchkin signed" by Meinhardt Raabe, a sterling silver hot air balloon necklace with a 1/4 carrat
emerald basket, professionally framed autographed prints of 1939 Oz ads, a copy of Mimi Kennedy's play "Waking Matilda" signed by Mimi just to name a few. There are also many exciting non Oz items including celebrity autographs, two sets of left handed golf clubs, gift certificates for golf, movies, restaurants and lodging and much more.
Also for auction are tickets to the professional golf tournament at Atunyote golf course in August. Registration for the Munchkin Mile Kid's Fun Run takes place at the Chittenango Fire Station at 10:00 am and registration for costume judging is at Stickles Park at 12:15 pm both on Saturday.
There is still time to make reservations for hot air balloon lift offs from the Land of Oz, for reservation call 315-495-6544. 
Other events that are free include a fantastic fireworks display Friday at 9:30 pm at Community Recognition Park, and Oz programs in the auditorium at Chittenango High School Friday and Saturday evenings.

Free parking is available all day Saturday and Sunday at Chittenango High School and Community Recognition Park with a continuous free shuttle operating both days. Oz-Stravaganza! questions can be directed to 415-8546 or 430-0765.
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With Oz-Stravaganza! just a few days away we have more updates on what is going on this weekend in Chittenango.  Here is an update on what is happening at the schools:
Most of the events of the 32nd annual Oz-Stravaganza! being held June 4th - 6th are held in Oz-Stravaganza! / Dr. West Park, however there are several important happenings at Chittenango High School beginning with the Spaghetti dinner with the Munchkins hosted by the Wm. Cain American Legion from 4:00 pm to 7:00pm Friday June 4th.  During the dinner Munchkins, Jerry Maren, Margaret Pellegrini and Karl Slover and other guests of Oz-Stravaganza! will hold an autograph session. The United States Postal Service will  be available from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm with one of two special Oz cancellations with the second cancellation available Saturday. Also available Friday evening during the dinner are Oz souvenirs, Oz artwork,  Oz books by the authors of Author's Alley and the first "Wizard's Wonderful Silent Auction" of the weekend. At 7:00 pm is a free Oz program in the auditorium hosted by John Fricke featuring the Munchkins, Judy Garland's movie stand in Caren Marsh-Doll, and L. Frank Baum's great grandson, Bob Baum and his wife Clare. There will also be a special tribute to Meinhardt Raabe, the Munchkin Cororner. Following the program plan to attend the fireworks in Community Recognition Park.

Events at the high school begin at 6:15 pm Saturday evening with an awards ceremony for the winners of the second annual "Royal Historian of Oz" writing contest, followed by Grand Marshals Jane Lahr and Maya Gottfried with memories of Bert Lahr, The Cowardly Lion, the centennial of "The Emerald City of Oz" and remembering Cynthia Baum Tassini. The evening will conclude with The Wizard of Oz in ballet. The Saturday evening event is free.

The complete Oz-Stravaganza! shedule of events and details about the free shuttle and free parking are available at: www.oz-stravaganza.com
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Great news this afternoon.  The legislature voted to provide funding to the state parks in line with the agreement reached with governor Paterson yesterday.  We would like to thank Senator David Valesky and Assemblyman Bill Magee for their support in fighting to keep the parks open. 

The Albany Times Union filed this story:

ALBANY -- The state Senate just approved a measure that would open the now-closed 55 parks and historic sites across the state -- an action that came some 12 hours after the Assembly voted for the same bill, and just hours before the Memorial Day weekend begins for most New Yorkers.
Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=935822#ixzz0pGFHwG2D
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