Thanks to everyone who shared their go-to pastry spots last week—my future sugar intake is well on its way to “vacation level.”

Whether it’s a Crumuffin from Resilience Bakery in Canandaigua or something chocolatey from Vern’s in Hammondsport (yes, multiple of you mentioned that one!), we’ll be happily working our way through your pastry recommendations!

Also: There’s a hidden Easter egg in this email. It’s not made of chocolate, but it does come with a prize—first person to find it and reply wins.

And finally, a big milestone: we crossed 4,000 subscribers last week! That’s wild.

When I first started this newsletter, I didn’t think we’d see this until much later. It’s been so fun to uncover more of what’s going on, food to eat, and drinks to enjoy. I’ve gotten out and discovered more about the area and I hope you have too!

I’m grateful for every single one of you who reads, replies, and helps make The Finger Lakes Effect what it is.

Ok, let’s get into the good stuff!

The Bulletin

Want to spread the word about your business, a project, a volunteer opportunity, or give a shout-out to over 4,497 friends in the Finger Lakes? Get in touch.

Dog Days Of Summer - Get ready for Dog Days of Summer at the Point of the Bluff Vineyards Hangar 17 Lounge—enjoy live tunes by Public Water Supply, adoptable kittens, a summer-themed pup costume contest, tasty bites from The Park Out food truck and specialty cocktails from Krooked Tusker Distillery—while $2 from every drink helps support the Finger Lakes SPCA. This free, RSVP-encouraged event also features a raffle with prizes like concert tickets and private wine tastings, so come raise a glass for a great cause.

Cayuta Sun Farms - Need tasty pork? Look no further than Cayuta Sun Farms. From garlic brats to thick-cut bacon—grab a little of everything and taste your way through the deliciousness.

📅 EVENTS

Top Weekend Picks

1. Glorious Garlic Festival

2. Bicycle Tour de Keuka

3. SkanFest 2025

Wednesday

• Mystic Circus @ Geneva Lakefront Summer Concert Series (Geneva) – Classic Rock, Country, and Motown hits bring high energy to the lakefront gazebo for a perfect summer night.

• Erie Canal Songfest! @ Downtown Syracuse (Syracuse) – Folk music, canal history, and Indigenous tribute come together in this one-night concert for the Erie Canal Bicentennial.

• Demolition Derby @ Chemung County Fairgrounds (Horseheads) – Crashes, cheers, and full-throttle thrills take over the fairgrounds for this summer night Demolition Derby spectacle.

• Tremayne Harer Acoustic @ Scale House Brewery (Hector) – Unwind midweek with live acoustic vibes, local brews, and lakefront views at a favorite Finger Lakes spot.

Thursday

• Rita Bliss @ Hopshire Farm & Brewery (Freeville) – Banjo vibes and local brews make for the perfect Thursday Happy Hour.

• Travis Knapp @ South Hill Cider (Ithaca) – Sing along, sip something crisp, and catch the vibes as folk meets sunset magic in the hills.

• EPIC Concert Series: Infinity @ Emerson Park (Deauville Island) (Owasco) – Sunset skies, cold drinks, and live music, kick off your weekend with a lakeside concert under the open air.

• Jason Stotz Concert @ The Three Bears (Ovid) – Tropical vibes meet small-town summer charm, stretch out on the lawn, and let the steel pan music carry you.

• The Godfather @ Smith Opera House (Geneva) – Experience The Godfather in grand style—Thursday night screening at Geneva’s historic Smith Opera House.

• Skaneateles Festival Opening Night: Folk Meets Baroque @ First Presbyterian Church (Skaneateles) – Baroque brilliance meets Gaelic soul as the Skaneateles Festival opens with a genre-blending musical feast.

• Mathis & Benoit @ Two Goats Brewing (Hector) – A soulful fusion of blues, folk, and country served with unbeatable vibes and rich musical chemistry.

• G.I.B. Rib Night @ Grist Iron Brewing Company (Burdett) – Juicy ribs, cold brews, and live jams come together for a summer night too good to miss.

Friday

• Rep Studio Players @ Finger Lakes Cider House (Interlaken) – Bold jazz, orchard air, and fresh cider flows bring serious groove to your night.

• Hank Roberts Trio @ South Hill Cider – Golden Hour Music Series (Ithaca) – Golden hour vibes, craft cider, and live music in the orchard—your perfect Friday evening escape.

• The Foundation @ Jerkhampton Music Festival (Apalachin) – The Foundation brings feel-good jams to the Jerkhampton Fest—Friday night fun at this offbeat rural music escape.

• The Petty Project (Tom Petty Tribute) @ Lincoln Hill Farms – FREE Music Friday (Canandaigua) – Kick back with Tom Petty classics, cold drinks, and summer vibes at Lincoln Hill’s free Friday night show.

• American Travelling Morrice @ Equal Rights Heritage Center Courtyard (Auburn) – Colorful bells, sticks, and medieval flair—Morris dancers bring First Friday to life in Auburn for 30 magical minutes.

• Seven Wonders – Fleetwood Mac Tribute @ Treleaven Winery (King Ferry) – Fleetwood Mac fans unite—Seven Wonders brings the iconic sound to Treleaven Winery for a perfect summer night.

• Circus Culture Summer Tour @ Downtown Ithaca (Bank Alley Fountain) (Ithaca) – Aerial feats and joyful acrobatics fill Bank Alley as Circus Culture brings free outdoor circus to downtown Ithaca.

• Matt Venuti – Music and Sound Alchemy @ 360 Pronoia (Elmira Heights) – Sound meets soul in Matt Venuti’s immersive sonic journey—an alchemical blend of music, energy, and deep calm.

• Telephone Party @ Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards (Hector) – Laid-back jams, wine slushies, and good vibes flow freely at this feel-good vineyard hangout.

Saturday

• Tour de Keuka @ Hammondsport Fire Station (Hammondsport) – Ride for a cause around stunning Keuka Lake—Tour de Keuka offers 45–100 miles of scenic cycling bliss.

• Glorious Garlic Festival (Geneva) - Food demos, live music, wine, and all things garlic - and continues on Saturday!

• Summer Sidewalk Sale @ Ithaca Commons (Ithaca) – Shop local and soak up the summer vibe at the Ithaca Commons during this fun and festive sidewalk sale.

• Pathways of Resistance Walking Tour @ Erie Canal Museum (Syracuse) – Walk through history and uncover hidden stories of resistance along the Erie Canal in this guided cultural tour.

• Waiting for the Steamboat @ Lodi Whittier Library (Lodi) – Story meets song in this lakeside reading with author David Schwartz and banjo legend Richie Stearns.

• BRAWLAPALOOZA @ Coleman’s Irish Pub (Syracuse) – Catch outdoor live bands and MMA cage fights in one wild night of music, mayhem, and summer festival energy.

• Guster @ Point of the Bluff Vineyards (Hammondsport) – Beloved alt-rock band Guster takes the vineyard stage for a magical summer night overlooking Keuka Lake.

• Thunder From Down Under @ Del Lago Resort & Casino (Waterloo) – The Aussie icons are back with steamy moves, bold charm, and big energy for a night of thrills at Del Lago.

• The Killers @ CMAC (Canandaigua) – Global rock icons The Killers light up CMAC with massive hits, wild energy, and a summer night you won’t forget.

• Skaneateles Festival Orchestra: Listen to the Wind @ Anyela’s Vineyards (Skaneateles) – Experience Vivaldi, Chopin, and more as the Skaneateles Festival Orchestra fills the vineyard with music and magic.

• Night Buggin’ @ The Woods (Baltimore Woods Nature Center) (Marcellus) – Explore the nocturnal forest as moths, beetles, and wild bugs light up the woods in this immersive nature night.

• Fireworks @ Chemung County Fairgrounds (Horseheads) – Cap off your Saturday with booming skies and fairground magic as fireworks light up the night in Horseheads.

• Autumn Mist Alpaca Farm Visit (Prattsburgh) – Meet alpacas, peacocks, and more at Autumn Mist Alpaca Farm—walk-ins welcome and fluff guaranteed!

• Ring of Fire @ Canandaigua Lake (Canandaigua) – Canandaigua Lake ignites in a glowing circle of red as the beloved Ring of Fire lights up the night.

Sunday

• Graze & Gather @ Finger Lakes Distilling (Newfield) – Charcuterie, cocktails, and scenic sips come together for a relaxed and flavorful afternoon in the Finger Lakes.

• Tompkins County Open Farm Day @ Farms Across the County (Tompkins County) – Explore local farms, meet the growers, and discover how food and fiber are made during this one-day countywide event.

• Bill Schmitt and the Bluesmasters @ Glorious Garlic Festival (Geneva) – Groove into Sunday with blues, garlic, and lake views as Bill Schmitt and the Bluesmasters take the festival stage.

• Sunday Jazz Brunch @ Stonecat Café (Hector) – Bask in vineyard views, farm-fresh flavors, and smooth jazz at this beloved summer brunch spot on Seneca Lake.

• Bill Schmitt and the Bluesmasters @ Glorious Garlic Festival (Geneva) – Groove into Sunday with blues, garlic, and lake views as Bill Schmitt and the Bluesmasters take the festival stage.

• The Royal Bromleys @ Glorious Garlic Festival (Geneva) – Keep the garlic fest vibes going with upbeat grooves from The Royal Bromleys on the scenic shores of Seneca Lake.

• Nate Michaels @ Summer Sundays Music Series – Wagner Vineyards (Lodi) – Sip wine and soak up Seneca Lake views with live acoustic vibes from Nate Michaels at Wagner’s Summer Sundays series.

• Middle Ages 30th Anniversary Party @ Leavenworth Park (Syracuse) – Craft brews, live bands, food trucks, and big community vibes mark 30 years of Middle Ages at this free Sunday bash.

• Half Century Hang Out @ Hangar Theatre (Ithaca) – Celebrate 50 years of theatre with music, burgers, beer, and birthday cake at Hangar’s retro-chic anniversary bash.

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!

Forks On The Road: Eats & Drinks

Curd Nerd: Cheese Overload? Never!

While my order was cutting cut and packed up, I browsed the shop—and walked away with a chocolate croissant, some Swedish treats, and a salami from the fridge. Zero regrets.

Do you like cheese? Swing by The Curd Nerd the next time you’re in Syracuse—you’ll be glad you did!

-Adam

See You Out There

Thanks for being part of the Finger Lakes Effect!

Adam Moody

Finger Lakes Effect

P.S. The Finger Lakes Effect is always evolving—if you have an idea for the style, look, or topics, hit reply and let me know.

P.P.S. 🥚 Hidden Easter Egg - the first person to reply to this email and ask me for a Finger Lakes Effect hat will get one! If you missed it, the first small batch came in and I shared what they look like on Instagram.