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Last year it was a report of a gentle giant roaming the hills of Madison County, in past years, Stratocasters, ladybugs, eagles and horses have graced the fields of Jimmy and Janine Golub. This year Golub’s Our Farm has designed its corn maze to look like an ice cream cone to celebrate a once in a lifetime visit to their farm by Jerry Greenfield, the co-founder of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream!

Jerry is an old personal friend of the Golubs, and he is personally driving a car full of ice cream from his factory in Vermont. On Saturday the 16th, Jerry will scoop Ben & Jerry's ice cream until it's all gone. "I'm really excited to see for myself what Jimmy and Janine have created on their farm....I mean Our Farm. I want to experience everything, the corn maze, hayride, the horse, pumpkin picking, and maybe Jimmy will let me pull the trigger on Boris, the catapult. They say pumpkins do fly", says Jerry. If you choose to come that weekend you could meet Jerry and enjoy all that Our Farm has to offer.

Our Farm is an award winning family farm that has been growing and selling farm fresh produce at a roadside stand since 1985. In the fall of 1988, horse rides, a petting zoo, hayrides, and U-pick pumpkins began. In 2007, Our Farm was granted the Emily Marshall Champion of Tourism Award given to the business in Madison County that has had great impact on tourism in the County.

Our Farm is open to the public starting on the weekend of October 2nd from 1-5PM. They will be open every weekend and Columbus Day through the month of October (stand is open every day). There is a $5 admission charge that covers all activities (horse ride, hay ride, petting zoo, corn maze, catapult). The only additional charge would be for pumpkins or refreshments purchased. We are also available to school and other groups on weekdays by reservations. Call 655-8453 for week day group rates.

There is a barn that serves as an indoor picnic area with educational displays. These displays focus on wool, dairy, and horses. Our Farm can accommodate week day groups of up to 125 at a time. For the fifth year, Boris, the trebuchet, will be throwing pumpkins, to the delight of the public. This popular spectacle is exhilarating. Click here to see this actually happen when a local newscaster came to see Boris. It is without a doubt one of the best fall family locations in all of Central New York!

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Wolf Oak Acres in Oneida is hosting a weekend of great fun for all on October 15-17 with its annual Balloon, Wine and Farmer’s Market Festival. The fun starts Friday night as the gates open at 4pm and the first balloon launch taking place within minutes!  The harvest festival grounds are open for regular admission to provide: 10 acre corn maze, pig races, gem mining, corn cannons, pedal carts, pumpkins, FAMILY MOVIE & Free Glowsticks for kids (sponsored by Price Chopper) and more!

On Saturday Wolf Oak Acres Harvest Festival grounds open at 10 am, along with the Pride of NY wine and farm market tents.  At 7am and 4pm there will be balloon launches. Vendor tents close at 5pm - but do have the option of remaining open until festival grounds close at 10pm. Stay for the night maze, family movie & free glowsticks for kids at the harvest festival (sponsored by Price Chopper). At 8 pm you do not want to miss the balloon glow followed by fireworks.

On Sunday, there will be a balloon launch at 7am (open free for public viewing). The Wolf Oak Acres Harvest Festival grounds open at 10 am, along with the Pride of NY wine and farm market tents, until 5pm. Last balloon launch is at 4pm.

Wolf Oak Acres is open EVERY weekend this October and can be found just outside of the City of Oneida along Creek Road. Admission is $7.50 for all ages 3 and up. Group pricing is available for 10 or more people.

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Wolf Oak Acres is the newest agri-tourism destination located in the heart of Central NY.  This past weekend marked the beginning of their third season, hosting an array of activities and events that will pack every moment of their seven week season. Everything fall can be found  on the 150 acre farm, nestled in the outlying valleys of Oneida.  Pumpkin patch, pig races, gem mining, pedal karts, animal barn, corn crib, corn cannon, spud slingshots, jumping pillow, a 10 acre corn maze and tons more.  Caramel apples, fudge, apple blossoms, cider, hot beef sundaes and a vast array of treats and foods are available. Hay bales, corn stalks, mums, and a huge variety of gourds and pumpkins are available for all of your fall décor.
Special events take place each weekend; including:  Sept. 25&26: Autism Fall Family Fun Weekend - families and persons affected by autism will receive discounted pricing  all weekend - those who are members of CNY Autism Society of America, Families for Effective Autism Treatment, or Dietary and Nutritional Intervention for Autism may register in advance with CNYASA or families may contact Wolf Oak Acres for information.  In October: Big Toys for Big Boys - hosting NYS Super stock tractor champions THE HAYES TEAM, antique and new tractors, implements, atvs, utvs, CNY BMX demos just to begin!  Single Action Shooters - cowboy trick shooting hosting competitions.  A Hot Air Balloon/ Pride of NY wine & farm market weekend - with live bands, balloon launches, balloon glow, fireworks, and unbelievable vendors selling all the best in local wines and fare. Farm Days - with farm themed events, games, and prizes; and Halloween Trick or Treating on the farm.  Friday and Saturday nights in October will be the flashlight maze and family movie nights this year sponsored by Price Chopper!
There's always tons to do and see, with activities for all ages - young and young at heart!  Weekends in September: Saturday and Sunday hours - 10-5pm, in October Flashlight maze and family movies will be hosted on Fridays 4-10 and Saturdays until 10pm, in addition to regular 10-5 hours.
For additional information on field trips, group outings, special events or anything else, contact: www.wolfoakacres.com or 315-762-3090.
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Reports are scattered and vague at best, but there seems to be evidence of a giant creature in the hills of Madison County near Cazenovia.  Last night it seemed to have been spotted on Peth Road between Cazenovia and Manlius.  Residents are advised to keep their eyes open and report any sightings of this "big foot" type creature in the blog comments below.  We have obtained "satellite" images of foot prints in farmer Jimmy Golub's corn field.  This seems to prove that something is lurking out there.
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The folks at escapemaker.com have their fall agritourism webisode up and running and again Madison County is prominently featured.  They traveled to Critz Farms, Golub's Our Farm, the Great Swamp Conservancy, BMR Acres and the Lincklaen House for their fall trip here.  Check out the video, but you'll have to jump to the 5:30 mark to see the Madison County segment.
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Alaina Potrikus of the Post Standard has a great story today about Empire Brewing Company of Syracuse and two new beers they are brewing featuring Madison County produce.  The beers feature pumpkins and apple cider from Critz Farms in Cazenovia.  Madison County has long been known as a historical leader in the hops industry and many people are trying to bring the hops farm back.  This is a great step in the right direction, using local products in a regional beer. Hats off to Matt and Juanita Critz and Dave Katelski for this great idea.  Next time you are in Armory Square for lunch have a pint of autumn or apple ale and think about how great local farms are.

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What a georgous weekend!!!  We've had a chance to get over to both Golub's Our Farm and Critz Farm in Cazenovia this fall.  Here is a slide show of things going on at both places.

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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.

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One of the most innovative argi-tourism sites we have in Madison County is Golub's Our Farm outside of Cazenovia.  I recently received an email from Jimmy Golub with his plans for this fall.  They sound great:

 Jim,
I thought I should bring you up to what I've been doing and planning for this fall. I am excited about having a big year. We hope to have a very good crop. Here's what we're trying:
1: We have a smaller trebuchet, Morris, that can throw smaller objects.
2:The Stratocaster may draw a lot of attention. We sent the photo to Fender to get permission to use the name. They really liked it and gave us permission. They also will probably help me with displays.  I might provide some music with a friend (who uses a Strat and myself). Fender may want to use the image also. There has already been a lot of interest in this theme.
3: We've made many more personalized pumpkins than ever before. Besides names, we're focusing on other things that anyone can buy.  Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Nana, Papa, Happy Brithday, Get Well, smiley faces, I Love You, Obama for President , I'm Sorry, peace sign, the Boss, Go Yankees, Go S.U., Boo!, Happy Halloween. 
4: We may offer helicopter rides on a few big weekend days so you can see the guitar from the air
5:While the helicopter is there, Kevin Marr of Channel 5 is coming and we will drop pumpkins out of the helicopter while we have a crowd there
6: And my latest inspiration is..........................the Square Pumpkin
I built 2 wooden boxes and I'm having a guy build 10 more. You place the growing pumpkin into the box and hopefully, it will grow into the box........square.
Because there will  only be a few, if successful, maybe they could be raffled off to charity and we can get PR from that.

So we have a lot of stuff to promote
Keep in touch
JG

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