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

Its been since September since you've heard it. That phrase that you as a parent just dread the sound of..."we're bored"! Yup, the kids must be out of school. What is a parent to do? Well it just so happens that you have come to the right place to alieviate this "boredom" situation.

This weekend there are a lot of events taking place in Madison County, events that are fun for the whole family. No matter where you live in the county, there is sure to be an event close to you that will barely move the needle on your gas gauge. There...now do I have your attention?

Hamilton - The Chenango Summer MusicFest: this year there is a french theme, Fete de la Musique which celebrates the summer solstice (June 21st). Bring the family out to enjoy elements of French culture by way of music, food and activities. There will be local artists as well as artists from around the globe. Event goers will have opportunities to meet featured artists and can attend music classes. There are so many activities taking place!  If you are interested in the MusicFest, check out the website for a complete list of artisits, events and details or call (315)-228-7645 or (315)-228-7642 for more information

Hamilton - Porter Studios Fine Art Photography and Fiber Arts Opening Reception: this event goes hand in hand with the Chenango MusicFest. On Saturday from 11am-3pm there will be an opening celebration at Porter Studios. Rob and Jane Porter are local artists with great talents. Rob is an avid photographer and Jane is a textile artist. All are welcome to this free event located at 15 Broad Street (right near the village green).

Cazenovia - Art in the Sky Kite Festival at Stone Quarry Hill Art Park: talk about fun for the whole family, especially the little ones. Bring a kite, build a kite or just come to enjoy the show! There will be kite demonstrations, kite candy drops, face painting and kite battles (even a kite hospital for the wounded kites). There will be refreshments available for sale. The festival will take place Saturday and Sunday from 10am-4pm and there is no cost to attend this event. For more information, visit the Stone Quarry Hill Art Park website or call (315)-655-3196

 Earlville - The Earlville Opera House presents Cheryl Wheeler: Call up the babysitter, here is something for the adults for a little time away...Saturday night singer/songwriter Cheryl Wheeler will play at the Opera House. Never heard of Cheryl? Well neither had I but as I did a little bit of research about her for you...well I'm sold on her. I just may attend the show myself. ok ok...enough about me and my plans...back to Cheryl. There is more to Cheryl's shows than just music. She adds an entertaining comedic element for her audience. She has worked with many famous musicians and incorporates her experiences into her performance, sharing stories with her audience. Cheryl can best be described like this, "She looks like your mother-in-law, tells stories like a comedienne and sings like an angel". Tickets range from $13-$23 and the show begins at 8pm. To find out more about Cheryl's Show, visit the Earlville Opera House website or call (315)-691-3550.

Throughout the County - Bass Season Opens: You may begin fishing for bass on Saturday. The DEC website contains all of the specific regulations pertaining to Madison County. You can also find the best places to fish for bass. Fishing can be fun for the whole family. So take your family on a fishing excursion and create memories that will last a lifetime.

So there you have it, a great lineup of events taking place this weekend. Check our blog frequently to find out more of whats going on in the area each weekend. Have a great weekend!

The 2008 Trout season is now open across Madison County.  The weather looks very good for tomorrow and Thursday to hit some of the local streams to catch your limit of brown trout.  Some of the best bets include Chittenango Creek both above and below the falls, Canaseraga Creek and the Otselic River.  Be prepared for swift flows as the recent rains have filled these streams, but the weather has been nice and the fish are biting.  If you know where to look you can still find populations of brook trout in Madison County as well.  Enjoy the fishing and remember that a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work.  Email us pictures of your catch and we will put them on our site.

The village trustees in Cazenovia voted last night to create a permit system that will allow boaters access to Cazenovia Lake via the village's Lakeside park.  As usual if you stay in a Cazenovia hotel or B&B your permit is free.  The article from the Post Standard by Kathy Coffia Simms follows:

Cazenovia expands boaters' access to lake 
By Kathy Coffta Sims Staff writer

The Cazenovia Village Board has finally approved a plan that will allow nonresident boaters access to Cazenovia Lake via the Lakeside Park Boat Launch. Village trustees unanimously passed a resolution Monday night that allows access to the lake for those who choose to buy a permit for $40. Those who purchase permits will be able to get out on the lake with motorized boats. Village residents, people who are staying at inns or bed and breakfasts in the village and residents of municipalities that enter into an intermunicipal agreement with the village will get their permits free. In the approved resolution, the village makes it clear all users of the launch must get a permit at the village clerk's office. Before a permit is issued, boaters must read a summary of rules and regulations governing the Lakeside Park launch and use of Cazenovia Lake. The rules will address safe and considerate boating practices, according to the trustees. The rules will also make it clear that boaters who have been in other bodies of water with their craft must wait 48 hours before launching their boats in Cazenovia Lake. That is intended to cut down on the introduction of invasive species into the lake, the trustees said. Those who want a permit must acknowledge that they understand the regulations by signing paperwork provided by the clerk. The trustees will revoke permits of anyone who violates the written standards. The village will also assess fines, ranging from $100 to $250, to boaters violating the rules. Those who are granted permits will get two stickers, one for their boat and the other for their trailer. The stickers issued to those who get permits for free will be a different color than the stickers given to those who pay for permits, according to the board. This will allow the village to enforce parking regulations. The village is setting aside 18 parking spots on the south side of the park. Nine spots will be reserved for village residents; the remaining nine will be for permit holders or village residents. The regulations will make it clear that vehicles can be parked in designated areas only and users may not access the ramp or remain in the park unless a parking space is available for their vehicle and trailer. Part-time police officers will be on duty for 41 days during 2008 to make sure regulations are followed. Officers will be on duty from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends from May 3 to Sept. 7 plus Memorial Day, July Fourth and Labor Day. Supplemental coverage will also be provided on other days and from dawn to 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to dusk. Proposed regulations for lake use will be posted on the village's Web site (www.villageofcazenovia.com) so the community can offer suggestions and feedback, said Trustee Kurt Wheeler. The board needs to move quickly so the village can begin issuing permits in early May.

The 2007 whitetail deer season kicks off tomorrow with a bang.  Well not really, there will be no bangs as thousands head to the woods for the archery opener.  The deer population in Madison County continues to grow, and with over 30,000 acres of state land to hunt on, there are plenty of opportunities to bag a nice buck in Madison County.  We want to see your big buck photos.  Email them to us, and if they are appropriate we will post them here.

Today marks the opening of the Wild Turkey season in much of Upstate New York including Madison County.  Hunters may take two birds of either sex between now and November 16th.  Madison County is home to a large turkey population and with over 30,000 acres of public lands, they opportunities to bag a bird are vast.  Madison County is also home to numerous farms and many farmers will allow you to hunt turkeys on their land, but please ask permission before trespassing.  Visit the DEC website for more information on Turkey Hunting in NYS and visit us for a map of public hunting lands in the county.  Good Luck!!!