There's a good chance you've been to a state fair. Ours, Iowa's, Maine’s, wherever you grew up. It turns out that the other states are doing an impression of something that happened in Syracuse in September 1841.
That was the first one anywhere in the country. More than ten thousand people showed up to look at livestock, hear some speeches, and watch a plowing contest, which was apparently the whole circuit that year. It worked well enough that every other state eventually copied the format.
If you haven’t made it to ours, you’ve got until September 7th.
OK, let’s get going!
🏁 RACE DAY + AFTER PARTY 🏁
The Hare Prix is a family-friendly event in Watkins Glen. Race it, ramble, or take your time. Everyone ends up at the Lucky Hare marina location for the after party.
Join us for a fun 10K run/walk at the Hare Prix on September 19!
All finishers get a medal. Brunch and a race tech shirt are optional. Details here!
🔆 QUICK HITS 🔆
Chip in once, or monthly, and you keep the Finger Lakes Effect going. More of this, and more people to share it with.
Dinner Club is going to Skaneateles for the first time. Join us in September.
The Bulletin
Interested in partnering with the Finger Lakes Effect? Reach 13,200+ engaged Finger Lakes readers. I feature local businesses worth knowing. Get in touch here.
Got a community event or shout-out? Submit it here.
Brix & Maven Realty Group - Looking for a new home, a place on the lake, or a few acres with a barn? They'll help you find it or sell your current property. This independent local brokerage has offices in Canandaigua and Pittsford, and about a dozen agents who live in the same towns they sell in. The reviews all land on the same themes: people who pick up the phone, personal attention, and results.
Woodpepper Bread - Do yourself a favor and swing by this one-man-bakery in Ithaca and treat yourself to a loaf. Or two. Maybe three.
🔔 UPDATES 🔔
Sunrise: 6:32 AM
Moonrise: 10:04 PM
Air Quality: 27 Good
Sunset: 7:39 PM
Moonset: 2:02 PM
Property: Need a historic fire station? Me too!
📅 EVENTS 📅
Top Picks
Sunflower Maze (Penn Yan - through Saturday)
HUPSTATE Circus Festival (Ithaca - Friday to Monday)
Open Doors: Farm Tour (Dundee - Friday)
Wednesday, September 2
Greater Ithaca Art Trail ARTIST TALKS! (Ithaca) — Hear local artists discuss their work at the Greater Ithaca Art Trail artist talks on the Commons, September 2-16.
Music Night - Tom Chamberlain (Penn Yan) — Join Wednesday music night featuring Tom Chamberlain for a great jam session and good times.
Dundee Scottish Festival (Dundee) — Experience a Highlands Renaissance faire with live entertainment, artisan vendors, period food, and interactive activities, September 2-30.
Monarch Migration and Tagging Workshop (Sterling) — Learn about monarch butterfly migration and participate in tagging workshops throughout late summer, September 2-14.
Tabora Cookie and Wine Pairings (Dundee) — Sample delicious cookies perfectly paired with Tabora wines for just $15 per pairing.
Sidewalk Showcase in Downtown Ithaca (Ithaca) — Enjoy free outdoor performances from local artists on Downtown Ithaca streets during this monthly series.
Thursday, September 3
Atwater After Hours with Laura Holmes (Burdett) — Enjoy enchanting melodies from Laura Holmes while sipping exquisite wines in beautiful vineyard surroundings.
Virgil Cain: Market Street Social (Corning) — Experience solo musician Virgil Cain performing live on the patio with no cover charge.
Public Sunset Cruise (Ithaca) — Relax on a scenic sunset cruise with light narration and informal crew chats on beautiful waters.
Sunflower Maze (Penn Yan) — Walk through a golden butterfly sunflower maze, meet friendly goats, and take home a free sunflower bouquet. Open until September 5.
10th Season Opening Celebration Concert (Trumansburg) — Celebrate a decade with world-class jazz, local food, and wine at this spectacular season opener.
Friday, September 4
Brett Beardslee (Watkins Glen) — Experience Brett Beardslee's captivating performance at scenic Seneca Lodge, blending natural beauty with memorable music and community spirit.
Live Music at 29 Neat Whiskey & Cocktail Bar (Watkins Glen) — Experience electrifying live music from Tremayne Harer with expertly crafted cocktails and whiskey selections.
Open Doors: Farm Tour (Dundee) — Explore biodynamic vineyard farming practices on a guided estate tour followed by wine tasting.
Bob Keefe and The Surf Renegades (Ithaca) — Experience surf rock, twang, and spy themes with Bob Keefe and The Surf Renegades.
Live music by Dom Martyr! (Watkins Glen) — Get energized by Dom Martyr's electro-pop, alternative dance, and house music with Lucky Hare beer.
Summer Series: Haywire (Canandaigua) — Experience live classic rock by Haywire while supporting Called to Care at this community event.
HUPSTATE CIRCUS FESTIVAL (Ithaca) — Experience four days of world-class circus featuring acrobatics, comedy, and performance art for all ages, September 4-7.
Hook & Sip: Happy Hour Specials @ Either Oar (Hector) — Enjoy $2 off wines, cocktails, mocktails, and charcuterie boards during happy hour specials.
Wine & Pickle Pairing at Toast Winery (Rock Stream) — Discover unexpected flavor combinations as carefully crafted pickles are paired with Toast Winery's finest wines.
Sunset Wine Down: Goat Yoga Experience 🍷 (Dundee) — Flow through a peaceful sunset yoga class surrounded by friendly goats and finish with wine.
Summer Series at Vineyard View Keuka (Keuka Park) — Enjoy live music and food trucks at this vineyard summer series event.
Saturday, September 5
Cast & Cords: Live Music Summer Series (Hector) — Relax with live local music twice monthly while sipping curated wines and tasting local cheeses.
End of Summer Party with Fall Creek Brass Band (Freeville) — Celebrate summer with Fall Creek Brass Band's high-energy New Orleans street music and funk fusion.
Behind-the-Scenes Tour (Geneva) — Explore restricted areas of Rose Hill Mansion including the basement and rooftop belvedere on a special guided tour.
Color Wayne Fun Run, Walk and Roll (Newark) — Join a colorful 2-mile run, walk, or roll along the Erie Canalway Trail benefiting the Arc of Wayne Foundation.
Bampa's House 5K Run/Walk (Painted Post) — Join this family-friendly 5K run/walk to support a great cause.
Reese Ranch Rodeo (Corning) — Experience the thrilling action of a professional rodeo with VIP tickets and premium packages available.
Some Like it Hot (Ovid) — Celebrate the harvest season with live blues-rock music, BBQ, and slushies at Hosmer Winery on Cayuga Lake Wine Trail.
Jazz Children's Concert (Ithaca) — Enjoy a free, family-friendly jazz concert featuring Ithaca College's talented jazz ensemble.
Crosswinds Run Series (Canandaigua) — Challenge yourself with 5K, 10K, or 1K running options in this multi-distance race series.
Annual Honeoye Celtic Festival (Honeoye) — Celebrate Celtic heritage with live music, dance performances, regional food, and family activities.
Unparallel Band Live at The Windmill (Penn Yan) — Enjoy funky sounds from Unparallel Band while savoring food, wine, craft brews, and spirits at The Windmill.
Sunday, September 6
Planes & Pancakes - Fly-In Breakfast at ELM (Horseheads) — Fly in or drive in for pancakes, aircraft viewing, and aviation education for the whole family.
Vivalina's Gourd-a-Palooza! (Ithaca) — Create gourd crafts, enjoy live music, sample international snacks, and celebrate a new children's book launch.
Avast! Flying Trapeze Show - Hupstate Circus Festival (Ithaca) — Enjoy a free nautical-themed flying trapeze show with acrobatic pirates at the Hupstate Circus Festival.
French Toast Brunch @ Nacion Mezcal (Penn Yan) — Indulge in unlimited all-you-can-eat French toast with fixings for just $12 per person at Nacion Mezcal.
Geneva Lakefront Concert Series: Labor Day Weekend (Geneva) — Enjoy free live music along Seneca Lake's shore with food and drinks available for purchase.
Recurring Events
Limited Duration - click here
Trivia - click here
Kid Friendly - click here
See you out there!
Thanks for being part of the Finger Lakes Effect.
Adam Moody
