Hope you’ve been enjoying apple season—I’ve definitely been doing my part!

Between sampling every cider donut I can find and visiting apple fests, I’m tempted to see if donuts could count as fuel for this weekend’s 100-mile adventure on the Finger Lakes Trail. And by “tempted”, I mean I’m absolutely going to be eating some.

Speaking of fuel, last week’s poll gave me plenty of energy: most of you said a Finger Lakes-themed jigsaw puzzle would be a hit! It’ll take some time to bring that idea to life between design and manufacturing, but you can help me shape the design right now.

🧩 Help Design the Finger Lakes Puzzle

Thanks to everyone who chimed in last week—your feedback has been fantastic! Here are a few highlights:

• “Puzzles are great! Brings my family together during the holidays.”

• “A FLX puzzle would be a great Christmas gift…”

• “Fall colors would be pretty.”

Clearly, this is something many of you are excited about—whether for yourself or as a gift. Now it’s time to get more specific.

The Bulletin

Want to spread the word about your business, project, volunteer opportunity, or give a shout-out to 7,200+ friends in the Finger Lakes? Get in touch.

Overlook Coffee Co. - Fantastic coffee from a husband and wife team in Burdett. Swing by for a fresh cup, a bag of beans, or one of their great shirts.

Wager’s Cider Mill - Need cider donuts? How about cider, hard cider, or just a bunch of apples? Wager’s has you covered!

🍂Supporting The Finger Lakes Trail 🍂

This weekend, I’ll be taking on a 100-mile adventure on the Finger Lakes Trail—starting in Bath and following the path as it winds its way toward Ithaca—for a total of 100 miles.

If you’d like to follow along, check out the Finger Lakes Effect Instagram feed over the weekend, and get involved by visiting the fundraising page here: https://givebutter.com/fingerlakes100

Half of all donations will be going to the Finger Lakes Trail Conference to help maintain this amazing trail system. We’re already 65% of the way to the goal, and the support so far has been incredible—thank you!

📅 EVENTS

Top Weekend Picks

1. Fiber Fest and Fall Shearing, Cider Bar & Vendors @ Lively Run Goat Dairy

2. La La Land (2016) @ Smith Opera House 

3. Mural Jam

Wednesday

• Midday Music for Organ: Amanda Mole (CU Music) @ Cornell University (Ithaca) – Midweek escape with organ music at Cornell, free concert blending Mozart with 20th-century gems.

• Inktober Sketching Meet-Up @ Everson Museum of Art (Syracuse) – Ink, ideas, and inspiration flow at a creative community sketch meet-up for Inktober.

• Ro Sham Bo Night @ Outlet 111 (Penn Yan) – Wines, cocktails, and craft beers all in play at this lakeside cocktail and wine bar.

• What’s Cookin’ Jazz Trio @ Brookton’s Market (Brooktondale) – Smooth jazz and cozy vibes fill Brookton’s Market for a midweek musical treat.

Thursday

• Hayley & Alexander @ South Hill Cider (Community Concert Series) (Ithaca) – Handcrafted African harps meet soulful vocals and traditionals, all set against cider, food, and panoramic views.

• I Got You, Babe: A Cabaret on Gen-Z Parenting @ Auburn Public Theater (Auburn) – A hilarious cabaret full of show tunes, pop hits, and the real joys and chaos of Gen-Z parenting.

• La La Land (2016) @ Smith Opera House (Geneva) – Step back in time with popcorn, cartoons, and the dazzling romance of La La Land at the Smith Opera House.

• Lil Rockwell | Stroller Walk: Día de los Muertos @ The Rockwell Museum (Corning) – Families stroll Market Street for a festive, cultural Día de los Muertos walk to The Rockwell Museum.

Friday

• An Evening at the Goethe House: Johnson Museum Piano Series @ Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art (Ithaca) – Explore Goethe’s eclectic home through prints by Margarethe Geibel, and enjoy an in-person performance on a historical piano.

• Open Season 9 Opening Reception @ The Cherry Arts (Ithaca) – Step into a night where creativity meets rebellion and the gallery buzzes with bold ideas.

• Big East Powersports Show @ NY State Fairgrounds Expo Center (Syracuse) – Discover the latest snowmobiles, ATVs, and gear at the Northeast’s biggest powersports expo.

• October First Friday Art Show & Free Admission Night @ The Discovery Center (Binghamton) – Free art, exhibits, and a festive Haunted Hallows kickoff make First Friday at The Discovery Center a treat.

• Syracuse Inner Harbor Fest @ Syracuse Inner Harbor (Syracuse) – Fireworks on the water, dragon boat races, and a buzzing waterfront festival atmosphere.

• Chris & Korie @ Abandon Brewing Company (Penn Yan) – Live tunes, craft brews, and vineyard sunsets set the vibe at Abandon Brewing’s Friday night session.

• HARVEST @ Cooperative Gallery 213 (Binghamton) – Fresh perspectives and fall creativity shine at the HARVEST group art show on First Friday.

• Randy Miritello & The Hop City Hellcats @ ONCO Fermentations (Tully) – Outlaw country grit and rockabilly swagger fuel a free Friday night show with farm-fresh brews.

• Music for an Autumn Evening @ Willard Chapel (Auburn) – Opera, Broadway, and piano fill a Tiffany chapel with autumn elegance and timeless music.

• Blue Envy + Plants for Hire + Tequila Mockingbird @ Bundy Museum of History & Art (Binghamton) – Three bands, one stage, and a surge of raw local energy for an all-ages night of live music.

• In Cahoots with the Alans — Mentalism & Magic @ Schorr Family Firehouse Stage (Johnson City) – Mind-bending illusions and mentalism bring a night of wonder and surprise for all ages.

• Face to Face: Elton John & Billy Joel Tribute @ Palace Theatre (Syracuse) – Sing along to timeless hits as Elton John and Billy Joel’s greatest songs light up the night.

• Mural Jam (Ithaca) - Ithaca’s first-ever Mural Jam takes over SouthWorks Oct. 4th and 5th, with 10 artists creating large-scale murals, hands-on workshops, community paint sessions, and live music all weekend.

Saturday

• Burlesque Buffet: Shake Your Cans @ Hopshire Farm & Brewery (Freeville) – Enjoy live performances, craft brews, vendors, and DJ tunes in a playful, community-centered night at Hopshire.

• Courtney Hartman @ Sweet Land Farm (Trumansburg) – Sip Sweet Land Farm rosé and cider, savor local beer and popcorn, and soak in a heartfelt evening of music surrounded by rustic barn charm.

• Fiber Fest and Fall Shearing, Cider Bar & Vendors @ Lively Run Goat Dairy (Interlaken) – Enjoy pulled pork, mac & cheese, cider, wine, and local treats while supporting regional artisans and farmers.

• All-Wheels Show @ CNY Living History Center (Cortland) – From tractors to classic cars, this all-wheels celebration brings family fun and rolling nostalgia.

• Time Travel: Pumpkin Fun! @ Cortland Free Library (Cortland) – Pumpkin stories, crafts, and snacks make for a festive fall morning of family fun at the library.

• 44th Annual Newark Valley Apple Festival @ Bement-Billings Farmstead (Newark Valley) – Celebrate fall with apples, history, wagon rides, live music, artisans, and autumn charm at a beloved harvest fest.

• Harvesting Tradition @ Apple Barrel Orchards (Penn Yan) – Apple picking, cider donuts, tractors, and farm fun — a harvest celebration at Penn Yan’s Apple Barrel Orchards.

• Hunt Country Vineyards Harvest Festival @ Hunt Country Vineyards (Branchport) – Stomp grapes, sip wine, ride vineyard trolleys, and celebrate 37 years of harvest fun at Hunt Country Vineyards.

• Live Score Silent Film: Snow White (1916) @ Cayuga Museum of History & Art (Auburn) – Whimsy, romance, and live harp transform a silent classic into a spellbinding afternoon of cinema and sound.

• An Evening of Laughter & Lyrics @ Auburn Public Theater (Auburn) – Comedy and live music combine for a night of laughs, lyrics, and local flair in Auburn.

• Comedy Night @ Brass Rail Bar & Grill (Binghamton) – A night of sharp wit and nonstop laughs as comedians bring big energy to the Brass Rail stage.

• Beatlegacy @ Clemens Center (Elmira) – Beatlegacy brings the Beatles’ magic to life with a fun, all-ages tribute show at Elmira’s Clemens Center.

Sunday

• Annual Heritage Fiesta @ Press Bay Court (Ithaca) – Enjoy live performances, artisan vendors, nonprofit showcases, and a rich display of heritage and tradition in downtown Ithaca.

• 8th Annual ArtRageous Bike Ride Fundraiser @ ArtRage Gallery (Syracuse) – Scenic cycling meets community spirit at the ArtRageous Ride, capped with the region’s most raved-about lunch.

• Sunday Mimosa Flight @ Boundary Breaks Vineyards (Lodi) – Unwind lakeside with sparkling mimosa flights and vineyard views at Boundary Breaks on Seneca Lake.

• Ponies & Pumpkin Spice @ Lorenzo State Historic Site (Cazenovia) – Mini horses in costume, wagon rides & pumpkin spice fun bring fall magic to Lorenzo’s historic grounds.

• Sunday Summer Music Series @ Boundary Breaks Vineyards (Lodi) – Relax with live music, vineyard views & Seneca Lake wines at Boundary Breaks’ Sunday summer series.

• Ladies, Historically Speaking Ghostwalk @ Sedgwick Farm Neighborhood (Syracuse) – Stroll Sedgwick’s haunted streets as costumed storytellers reveal the hidden lives of Syracuse’s historic women.

• Fort Hill Cemetery Walking Tour @ Fort Hill Cemetery (Auburn) – Walk among history at Auburn’s Fort Hill Cemetery, uncovering stories of legends & hidden gravestone symbols

• OktoberFest Celebration w/ Fritz’s Polka Band @ Middle Ages Brewing (Syracuse) – Polka meets rock at Middle Ages Brewing’s Oktoberfest—steins, music & nonstop fall party vibes.

Recurring Events

• Limited Duration - click here 

• Trivia - click here

• Kid Friendly - click here

Got an event we should feature in the Finger Lakes Effect? Click the button below and add your event details!

Thank you to another great sponsor of the Finger Lakes 100 fundraiser - the Finger Lakes Runners Club!

Not only are they supporting us—they also hold tons of low cost races on road and trail, have free group workouts, and so much more. Find out about all of the FLRC events here.

See You Out There

Thanks for being part of the Finger Lakes Effect!

Adam Moody

Finger Lakes Effect