It is an olde tyme country fair and it opens in Brookfield today.  After the success of last year's fair, this year's event promises to be even bigger and better than past versions.  New rides, lots of exhibits and fun family events are on the schedule all weekend long. 
Today's activities get underway at noon with the ribbon cutting.  The midway opens at 4pm but live entertainment will be featured all afternoon long.  Tonight is the 2nd Fair 5K run.  We will be updating on twitter this weekend and will be posting some photos later today.
 
 
The kickoff for the Madison County Buy Local Week 2010 happens on SUNDAY, July 18, from 3-6 pm at Endless Trails Farm and Guesthouse in Hubbardsville, just 10 minutes east of Hamilton. The event, hosted by Madison County's Agricultural Economic Development Program, is called the Fresh! Gala, a fundraiser that celebrates the diversity and vibrancy of Madison County agriculture.  Local sponsors of Buy Local Week include Price Chopper, Cazenovia Equipment, National Grid, Cornell University’s Cooperative Extension of Madison County, Central New York Bounty, Madison County Tourism, Shapna Tea and Coffee, and Serendipity Caterers.
 
The mission of the AED Program is to maintain, develop, and promote a viable agricultural economy that benefits Madison County.  AED’s priorities are to market Madison County’s agricultural products and services by creating market opportunities and encouraging value-added enterprises, as well as maintaining an agricultural land base to support a viable agricultural economy by assisting existing farmers and attracting and supporting new farmers.  
 
The Endless Trails Farm and Guesthouse, owned and operated by Dave and Pam Williams and Dan and Melissa Williams is located at 8856 Larkin Road in Hubbardsville.  The farm raises grass fed beef under the name Sunnybrook Farm, which can be ordered by calling 315-841-8384, and is part of 340 acres of land adjacent to the Brookfield Trail System. The trail system consists of 130 miles of groomed trails maintained by the New York State Department of Conservation. The trails are open to horse enthusiasts, mountain bikers, cross-country skiers, and snowmobilers.  Horse owners who want to get away for a few days or a few weeks can stable their horses on the premises in the 12 horse stalls available for guest use.
 
The guesthouse features six upstairs bedrooms, four with private baths and a suite that includes a shared bath. Guests have full use of the kitchen, living areas, enclosed porch, patio, and covered deck. The guesthouse is available to rent by the week, by the weekend, or by the day. The whole house can be rented for a group, or individual rooms can be rented.
 
The Fresh! Gala at this unique venue promises a great time for everyone with its beautiful setting in the outdoor covered pavilion, local food prepared by Stephanie Holzbaur’s Serendipity Catering, beer made with hops grown in Madison County at Foothill Hops Farm, live music by Larry Hoyt and the Good Acoustics, and a silent auction. Funds raised will be used to support the mission of the Agricultural Economic Development Program.

Ticket prices are $35 per person or $65 per couple and are available at ten Price Chopper stores: 142 Genesee Street in Oneida, Madison Marketplace on Route 12B north of Hamilton, 1917 Genesee Street and the North Utica Shopping Center in Utica, 1790 Black River Blvd. in Rome, 4535 Commercial Drive in New Hartford, 2525 Erie Blvd and 4713 Onondaga Blvd. in Syracuse, 3863 State Route 31 in Liverpool, and 5701 East Circle Drive in Cicero.  Tickets are also available online at http://buylocalweek2010.eventbrite.com/ and must be purchased prior to the event. No tickets will be sold at the door.  For more information, including a map and directions, visit www.madisoncountyagriculture.com.
 
 
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We don't normally play favorites and do our own reviews on this website, but last night I had the chance to visit a landmark Madison County Restaurant and want to share our experience with you, so here it is, and who knows maybe this will become a regular addition to our site.

Last night my wife and I had the opportunity to eat dinner at the legendary Horned Dorset Inn in Leonardsville, NY.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with Leonardsville, it sits in the Unadilla River Valley along NY Route 8.  It is about 20 miles south of Utica and 90 minutes south east of Syracuse.  The Horned Dorset has been hosting diners celebrating the best of life since the late 1970’s and is a place that should be at the top of your list when it comes to your list of places to go in New York State. 

It was a celebration of 7 years of marriage for Lorrell and I and we decided we wanted to do something a little different, and since I had never had the chance to made it down to the Horned Dorset to see for myself what all the fuss was about, it was a perfect opportunity.  I had spoken to the owner Kingsley Wratten many times about programs going on at Madison County Tourism, but we never seemed to be able to connect to meet in person so I could learn about the inn and restaurant.  Boy I am glad we finally got together.

The Inn has four rooms, and while we did not stay the night, I found myself thinking about the next time I want to “get out of town” and making the mental notes that this place would be fun to stay at.  With two queen rooms downstairs in this Victorian home, and two suites upstairs, the inn has very nice accommodations for people traveling to Colgate University, Hamilton College, Cooperstown or points in between.  Kingsley told us that he has plans to renovate several other homes in the vicinity and to be able to rent more rooms in the Leonardsville area. 

The restaurant is right next door to the inn and has been a labor of love for well over 33 years for Kingsley and his wife Roberta.  When they found the property it was caving in, and like many historical buildings in Upstate NY it was real close to being a memory.  First they replaced the roof, and then with a table saw and a lot of ingenuity they piece-by-piece put the place back together.  The amazing thing about both the Inn and the restaurant is that many pieces inside come from historic mansions all over New York State that were facing the wrecking ball, sometimes immanently.  Kingsley told us of the grand doors inside the dining rooms that were minutes from being destroyed when he convinced the demolition crew to go to lunch a little early so he and his wife could remove them and take them home.  There is a lot of sweat equity in this place.
 
 
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The plans for the annual Hamilton International Film Festival are coming together.  This year's festival is August 5-8 and will feature a nice lineup of films, directors and more in downtown Hamilton.  A full schedule of events for the weekend can be found below the post.

The following note came from Todd Slater who is working to pull this all together this year:

" This is a major event promoting the arts and film makers in Madison County. We are bringing back several high profile directors, actors, ESPN, HBO and a great band to perform Saturday August 7th. We have a BIG sponsored party planned that Saturday night with a very popular band that is coming into Hamilton NY from NYC. This is open to the public for everyone who attends the film Saturday night. We are also giving the proceeds to Madison County based charities and everyone in Madison County should know we are doing this. The Food cupboard and the local high school are going to get a check from us. Please help us make this a great event. As you can see from the flyer, some big Hollywood names have agreed to get involved with our weekend this year."

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During the Madison County Fair, July 8th-11th, the David Case Memorial Stage will showcase an exciting mix of live musical entertainment with local flare at no extra charge to fair goers. 

A local favorite returning to the Madison County Fair for their third appearance on Thursday evening is Renegade “A Country Band with Attitude”. 
The Tweedlers “Old Time Folk Band” with local resident Russ Belair will have the audience clapping and singing along to waltzes, love songs, blue grass, classic country, and old time rock n roll on Friday afternoon. 
Pulsate “Can you Feel It” will rock the stage on Friday evening, with lead vocalist Dave Rogers (a Brookfield native).  This four piece classic rock band has been rocking the Finger Lakes Region and gaining loyal fans “Pulsators” with every performance.  You won’t want to miss this homecoming! 
Longtime area favorite the Blue Valley Boys, with Brookfield resident Don Brown, will have the audience on their feet for round and square dancing Sunday afternoon.

The 171st Madison County Fair is the place to be July 8th-11th with a new expanded midway, exhibits, shows and attractions for the entire family.

For more information visit us at www.madisoncounty-fair.com or phone 315-899-5867
 
 
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Photo Submitted by: Chris Schierer
A note from the Cazenovia Chamber of Commerce today tells us there is no shortage of activities in and around the village this weekend.

Lots happening….
Sidewalk Sale - Thursday, Friday and Saturday  July 1, 2 and 3   9am—6:30pm
All types of merchandise outdoors throughout Cazenovia's Historic Business District on Albany & Lincklaen Streets

CAVAC Arts & Craft Show – Saturday and Sunday – July 3 & 4  10am – 5pm
More than 100 artisans are featured on the historic grounds at Lorenzo. For more information, please contact the CAVAC business office at (315) 655-9798.
Farmer's Market – Saturday, July 3rd and every Saturday in Memorial Park on Albany Street
***don’t forget to pick up your lobster if you ordered one***
Sunday -July 4th
Foot Races and Dan Sutton Memorial Race     http://www.caz4thrun.org/
Conducted By:   The Syracuse Chargers Track Club & The Cazenovia HS Cross Country Team
 8:00 am  5k (3.1 mile) race,  8:15 am       1 mile fun run,  8:45 am        10 mile race around Cazenovia Lake

Parade– step off at 1pm Contact projectcafe.caz@gmail.com for information or if you are interested in participating

Concert in the Park  4pm – 9:30pm
Starting with “Route 66” at 4 PM, followed by the “Cross Creek Band” reunion and then the “FabCats”.
Food and beverages will be available in the park or bring a take out from one of our fine restaurants uptown

***Boy Scout Troop 18 will be there selling hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, coneys, veggie burgers, chips, soft drinks and water from 4pm – 8pm. Chamber members are encouraged to volunteer to assist them.
 please call or email Deb Amidon 655-9862 or bsa18mom@twcny.rr.com

Fireworks!!!  9:30pm or so…sponsored by the Lions Club immediately following the concert at Lakeland Park

See you all there!!!!


 
 
John A. Weeks, one of Central New York’s most widely known and admired naturalists, will speak at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 10th at the Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark in Peterboro, NY. Weeks is widely recognized as a biologist, botanist, environmental educator, artist, author, and commentator -- and has been called “Central New York's own modern-day John Burroughs.”
Mr. Week’s remarks, entitled “Keep It Natural: A Naturalist’s Calling and His Call to Citizen-Scientists” will reflect Weeks’ decades as a professional scientist and dedicated educator. Sponsored by the Greene Smith Society, an informal auxiliary of the Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark in Peterboro, NY, this presentation honors Greene Smith and celebrates the crucial role of the citizen-scientist throughout American history. Greene, son of the famous 19th-century abolitionist and philanthropist Gerrit Smith, was an avid sportsman and early conservationist who established a distinguished legacy of his own as a self-taught expert ornithologist and taxidermist.

 
 
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!
 
 
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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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!