_ The single most important decision made by a bride and groom in regards to their wedding day is the location.  Without a location, it is difficult to make any of the other decisions they need to make.  Madison County Tourism today announced a great way to help brides and grooms make that decision with its inaugural bridal bus tour. 
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Kelly Stremmel Photography
_On Sunday April 29, 2012 Madison County Tourism will treat engaged couples to a day of fun, as they travel to eight unique wedding venues across Madison County in luxury limo transportation.  The day will allow the happy couples to compare and contrast the locations and help them choose the perfect location to hold their ceremony or reception.

The tour will start in two locations, Oneida and Cazenovia, and the limos will spread out across the county to show off the historic, picturesque venues that make Madison County weddings so special.  Engaged couples will have the chance to visit the Oneida Community Mansion House, the Greystone Castle, Brae Loch Inn, Lincklaen House, Colgate Inn, Hamilton Inn and White Eagle Conference Center among others.  Catering and banquet staffs will be on hand at every location to talk about set ups, food, music and pricing.  Brides and grooms will also be able to meet with photographers, florists, disc jockeys, cake bakers, favor makers and other essential vendors.

Weddings are an important part of the marketing strategy for tourism in Madison County.  Each year they partner on a bridal guide and attend wedding shows.  They also have a dedicated wedding micro-site to help promote wedding venues and vendors.

Madison County Tourism executive director Jim Walter says weddings are big business.  “When someone chooses our venues for their reception there is a compounding effect on local businesses.  They may also set up a rehearsal dinner; hire a florist, photographer and disc jockey that are local.  It extends beyond the reception site, families, and the wedding party and guests all book hotel rooms.  While they are in town they visit local shops, restaurants and attractions.  The more weddings we can book in Madison County, the stronger our economy will be.”

One of the most heard comments from brides at wedding shows was that they’d love to check out Madison County locations like the Mansion House or Colgate Inn, but they just didn’t know when they’d find the time.  This tour aims to remove that barrier.  Eight venues in one day, a fun tour of the county in a limo or limo bus and access to a wide variety of vendors will make this time well spent for brides and grooms.

Tickets for the tour are limited to the first 50 couples and can be purchased online at www.madisontourism.com/weddings.  Interested couples or vendors can also call 800-684-7320 for more information.
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With more than twenty years of experience up her sleeve, master illusionist, Lyn Dillies, has mesmerized audiences throughout the world. She has been hailed as the finest female magician in the land as well as one of America's top illusionists - male or female!  Oneida Area Arts Council is thrilled to be sponsoring her appearance in Oneida New York on Saturday 5 November, 7:30pm at the OHS Auditorium. Lyn brings a family friendly experience and at the same time is one of the most outstanding magical performers in the country.  Ticket are $25 at the door; Discounted season packages are still available for the winter performance series. (www.OneidaAreaArts.com)

            Her show THE MAGIC OF LYN, is filled with eye-defying illusions, hypnotic lighting, exciting music and, most magical of all, the enchanting personality of Ms. Dillies. Ms Dillies performs each illusion “as if it were performed for each audience member alone” (Steve martin, Wells Theater, Virginia) Lyn is able to deliver a “top notch incredibly impressive show and at the same time give the children a warm, friendly and sharing experience”  (Marianne Cooney, American Cancer Society)   Lyn created magic history by being the only illusionist before or since to make two live Asian elephants appear in succession. This incredible feat was accomplished outdoors, in front of an audience of her peers for the grand opening of the Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford, MA. As a result, her illusion has been included in the national archives of the Society of American Magicians library. From the grandeur of New York's Lincoln Center to the glitterama of Atlantic City and throughout the United States and Canada, rave reviews follow every performance of her powerful brand of mystery and illusion.
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Fifteen balloons took off from Wolf Oak Acres tonight and we were there to capture the event.  It was a perfect evening for flying and a large crowd was on hard to watch.  Here is a slide show of the action.
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Driving into work this morning, two hot air balloons were flying in the Peterboro/Munnsville area and it was a peaceful beautiful sight.  All weekend long the skies of Madison County will be filled with Hot Air Balloons as the third annual Balloons and Bounty festival comes to Wolf Oak Acres in Oneida. 
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The fun begins tonight when the festival grounds open at 4pm.  There will be a balloon glow at 7:45 and fireworks at 8pm.  The grounds then stay open until 10 for the flashlight corn maze and other farm activities.
Tomorrow morning bright and early 21 balloons will lift off from the launch field and fill the skies over Madison County.  Pilots from around the country are taking part in this event which continues to grow each year. 
All day long the festival fields will be open for the fall harvest festival.  There will be a farmer's market, wine tastings, and fun for the entire family.  There will also be live music all day long too.  The afternoon balloon launch begins at 4pm.
That same schedule repeats itself on Sunday and Monday, so there will be plenty of opportunities to see hot are balloons fill the skies. 
Check out the complete schedule of events, information on booking a flight and other activities at the farm.  The weather is perfect this weekend, so you have little excuse to miss all of the excitement of the annual Balloons and Bounty Festival at Wolf Oak Acres in Oneida.
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On Sunday, October 16 from 1-3 pm, the Madison County Historical Society will mark the opening of the exhibit entitled, "19th Century Leisure in Madison County” by hosting a presentation by Mary Jeanne Bialas, “Enjoying the day, the Victorian Way”.
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The 1800's brought the Industrial Revolution, which provided more time for relaxation and social intermingling. People who made their homes in the villages and towns of Madison County enjoyed a variety of leisure activities.  Many outings included visits to the Chittenango Spa, or an impromptu picnic at Sylvan Beach. Nights at the Madison Opera House or quiet evenings at home playing parlor games were how many spent their leisure time. This program, presented by Mary Jeanne Bialas, educator and program designer for Victorian Whispers, and Speaker for the NYS Council for the Humanities, will take you into the leisure time of the 1800's and highlight the roles of men, women, fashions, and the Victorian rules of propriety and behavior in some of Madison County's most favorite pastimes.

There is no charge to attend the new exhibition and program on October 16. Mary Jeanne's program will start promptly at 1 pm; viewing of the exhibit will follow the program. Refreshments will be served. For more information call 315-363-4136, or 315-361-9735, or stop by the Madison County Historical Society at 435 Main Street in Oneida.
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Have ever wanted to know a little bit more about the Oneida Community Mansion House?  Check out this You Tube video that highlights many of the unique features of this National Historic Landmark.
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So you've been to the great big beer fests where you find a lot of fizzy yellow beer, overpriced food and too many people crammed into a smoke filled events center, right?  That sounds like it might be fun, or maybe not.  We here at Madison County Tourism have the cure for the common beer fest. How about an outdoor, fall festival with local and regional CRAFT beer companies.  Buy local and drink local right?  That's what you are going to find at today's Hop Fest in Oneida.  Over 2-dozen local and regional breweries will be on hand to offer samples of their beers.  A good time should be had by all.  Here is the list of brewers and the beers that will be available today at Hop Fest in Oneida.

Cooperstown- (6 styles)-Backyard India Pale Ale, Nine Man Golden Ale, Benchwarmer Porter, Pride of Milford Special Ale, Old Slugger Pale Ale, Strike Out Brown Ale

Landmark Brewing- (2 styles)  and German Beer- Haufbrauhaus

FX Matt-Saranac- (2 styles) Octoberfest, Pumpkin Ale

Middle Ages- (3 styles)

Empire Brewing Co.- (2 styles) Empire State Pale Ale, Empire IPA

Sackets Harbor Brewing Co. –War of 1812 Amber Ale

Cortland Beer  (2 styles)

Ithaca (2 styles)

Sam Adams- (5 Styles)Boston Lager, Octoberfest, Angry Orchard Cider:crisp, Traditional Dry, and Apple Ginger

Keegan’s Mother’s Milk

Butternuts Heinineweise

Threeheads Blimey English Pale Ale

Doc’s Pear Cider Draft

Bluepoint Blueberry

Magic Hat #9

Ommegang Belgian Independence Day

Brooklyn Lager

Southern Tier Imperial Pale Lager

Yuengling Porter

McSorleys

Blue Moon Pumpkin

Woodchuck
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Are you looking for a fun filled activity to do with your family on the weekend of Sept. 10 & 11? If so, then come to one of the longest running Craft Shows in the region at the Madison County Historical Society in Oneida.

There are free children’s activities all weekend.  Back by popular demand will be face painting by Sue Flint. She will be at Craft Days both days  from 12- 2. On Sunday from 10-4, a must for the kids is the Earlville Opera House's Tread On It: T-Shirt Tire Print Workshop. This fun activity allows for you to create a t-shirt using tires as printing blocks. The process is simple-choose t-shirt, tire tread pattern, background and print colors. The activity takes 20-25 minutes and the t-shirt is free!
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On Saturday, September 17 from 12-2 pm at the Madison County Historical Society, 435 Main Street will be The Taste of Hops: a food and beer pairing. This event is one of the many activities happening at the 16th Annual Madison County Hop Fest on September 17th! 
From 12-2 come enjoy the Taste of Hops: a food and beer pairing that matches an area restaurant with a craft brewery to create an appetizer using beer as one of the ingredients. The Colgate Inn of Hamilton is preparingbraised pork canapé in Carolina barbeque sauce on jalapeno cornbread topped with a Granny Smith apple, beer and onion chutney paired with Sierra Nevada’s Torpedo Extra IPA.  Hamilton Inn of Hamilton is preparing Banana Beignet/ Stout Ice Cream/ Beer Caramel. Leandro’s Restaurant and Sports Bar of Canastota  is preparing AKC Wild Pork Wings with Magic Hat #9 Sweet and Spicy Glaze and paired with Magic #9. The Ye Olde Landmark Tavern of Bouckville is preparing BBQ braised pork jalapeno hush puppy with green apple slaw paired with Southern Tier’s IPA. Centro’s Restaurant in DeRuyter will also be participating. Tickets are limited- only 150 will be sold.   Tickets are $15 advance or $20 at the door if available. Tickets can be purchased at www.mchs1900.org/hopfest, or by sending a check payable to the Madison County Historical Society, or by contacting the participating restaurants.

From 2:30-5:30 on the society’s grounds under the Beer Sampling Tent come sample over 30 styles of craft beer from Cortland Brewing, Matt-Saranac; Three Heads, Southern Tier, Sackets Brewing, Landmark, Ithaca, Sam Adams, Empire, Middle Ages, Cooperstown, Ommegang, and more!! Tickets for the Beer Sampling are $25 advance and $30 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Kraig’s Kegs in Sherrill, the Madison County Historical Society, or online at www.mchs1900.org/hopfest.
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