If you’ve been reading the newsletter for a bit, you might know I have a thing for vintage postcards. Well, I picked up some more recently (thanks, Found!).
One of the fun parts is how familiar it all looks. The clothes change and the storefronts turn over, but people have been mailing pictures of this region to the folks they love for a long, long time.
And in a nice bit of timing, I'm putting things in the mail too.
Finger Lakes Effect Quarterly snail mail pre-orders are live, capped at 100. Pre-order before the 30th and save a few bucks off the full price.
Add in the Fireside Festival 10 days out, Book Club, Dinner Club, and a stacked events list, and this issue is a full one.
🌿 TALKING SHOP AT THE HIGHLY CONNECTED 🌿
So I went down and talked to the folks at The Highly Connected, a dispensary in Ithaca.
We talked for a long time, and I left impressed. They're optimistic, they're full of ideas, and they want to do fun things in the local cannabis world that go beyond the shop itself. Dinners came up. Farm tours. Maybe even a boat cruise. They asked what I thought, and I told them the truth: I don't know yet, but I know exactly who to ask.
That's you. I cover wineries and breweries regularly. Cannabis is legal in New York and it's part of the region now, so I'm curious whether events in that world interest you.
Nothing is planned, but there are some great ideas floating around that could use your help shaping.
Would you be interested in cannabis-related events?
🎉 $35 SATURDAY: THE FIRESIDE FESTIVAL 🎉
In June I told you about The Fireside Festival. It's 10 days away now, so here's the full picture.
Gates open at 10 am, music from noon, fireworks at 10 pm, bonfire after.
Headlining is Darryl Worley (the platinum-selling country artist), with a deep regional lineup behind him: JB Aaron, Tink Bennett & Tailor Made, Seneca Jam, the GillMuir Girls, Nicholas Stark & These Dudes, Wendy Owens & Jim Anderson, Payton Clark, and DJ Jerry Karns spinning all day.
Then there's everything around the music:
A wine garden with four local wineries pouring all day (Lakewood, Toast, Hazlitt 1852, Barnstormer)
Food trucks, plus free popcorn and water
Fireworks and a massive bonfire
$500 air guitar contest
$25,000 cornhole-in-one competition
50/50 raffle supporting K9s For Warriors
Yard games, a photo booth, and craft vendors
All of that for $35. Parking's free, it's rain or shine, and you're welcome to bring a lawn chair and a blanket.
One thing worth knowing: GA is $35 in advance and $45 at the gate, so it makes sense to grab tickets ahead of time.
The code FLX5 takes $5 off every ticket. Thanks again to the Fireside Festival for making that available to Finger Lakes Effect readers!
Here's the link: https://www.thefiresidefestival.com/
It's local, it's affordable, and it's the kind of thing summers around here are for.
⏩ QUICK HITS ⏪
Quarterly Mail pre-orders are live. Order here.
Book club: Join here.
Next Dinner Club: July 30th, Watkin Glen. It’s filling up. Sign up here.
📷 PICTURES FROM THE PAST 📷
I came across some great postcards at Found in Ithaca. These two summer cards are part of a set created by the “Lens of Lyon”, Howard Lyon and his wife, Ruth, who made cards, calendars, and more, from the Finger Lakes region in the 1980s.
The Bulletin
Interested in partnering with the Finger Lakes Effect? Reach 12,600+ engaged Finger Lakes readers. I feature local businesses worth knowing. Get in touch here.
Got a community event or shout-out? Submit it here.
The Artisan Cove - With locations in Canandaigua and Ithaca, you can find local artist-made crafts that you’ll love, or pick up the perfect gift. Stop by and check the huge variety under one roof.
Northville Arts Center - If you find yourself on the east side of Cayuga, do yourself a favor and swing by. Homemade Café Food, Espresso, Tea, Catering, Food and Beverage Experiences, Event Venue, 3rd Space, Live Music, Community Support, Something for everyone.
🔔 UPDATES 🔔
Sunrise: 5:42 AM
Moonrise: 6:56 AM
Air Quality: 47 Good
Sunset: 8:41 PM
Moonset: 9:53 PM
Pets: Crikey, it’s Cricket!
📅 EVENTS 📅
Top Picks
Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance @ Trumansburg Fairgrounds (Trumansburg - Thursday to Sunday)
Wellness Festival @ Lincoln Hill Farms (Canandaigua - Saturday)
Star Party: Hello Summer Skies @ Baltimore Woods Nature Center (Marcellus - Friday)
Wednesday, July 15
Live Music Sunset Cruise @ Ithaca Boat Tours (Ithaca) – A relaxing sunset cruise featuring live music, scenic lake views, and an unforgettable evening on the water.
Rock N Putt @ Eldridge Park (Elmira) – A lively evening of mini golf, music, and family-friendly fun across Eldridge Park's scenic 18-hole course.
Three Bears Still-Life Flower Painting Class @ Three Bears Ovid (Ovid) – Create your own acrylic floral painting in a free, guided art class perfect for creative beginners and enthusiasts.
Disclosure Day (2026) @ Smith Opera House (Geneva) – Experience a themed screening of Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi event film with costumes, cocktails, and classic movie theater fun.
Thursday, July 16
Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance @ Trumansburg Fairgrounds (Trumansburg) – A beloved four-day festival featuring diverse live music, camping, dancing, and family-friendly fun in the Finger Lakes.
Game Night @ Newfield Public Library (Newfield) – A fun community board game night inviting players of all ages to enjoy friendly competition and new connections.
Works on Paper Group Exhibit @ The Gallery at South Hill (Ithaca) – Explore diverse paper-based artworks showcasing creative techniques, materials, and artistic expression from eight regional artists.
Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company Presents Summer Mix @ Kitchen Theatre Company (Ithaca) – A vibrant dance showcase blending repertory favorites, a world premiere, and post-show conversations with the acclaimed performers.
Technicolor Trailer Park @ Danby Food and Drink (Ithaca) – Enjoy an evening of folk, Americana, and singer-songwriter favorites at this family-friendly outdoor concert on the lawn.
Three Bears Jason Stotz Concert @ Three Bears Ovid (Ovid) – Enjoy a lively outdoor concert featuring steel pan performer Jason Stotz in a relaxed community park setting.
Comedy Open Mic Night – Live at the Annex Theater (Binghamton) – A lively comedy open mic welcoming performers and audiences for an evening of laughs, local talent, and good company.
Singer-Songwriter Series: Erich with an H @ Atwater Wine (Burdett) – Enjoy an evening of eclectic acoustic originals, local wine, and relaxed vineyard vibes with Finger Lakes songwriter Erich with an H.
Friday, July 17
Birds & Blooms – F.R. Newman Arboretum Walks @ Cornell Botanic Gardens (Ithaca) – A guided nature walk combining birdwatching and plant discovery through one of Ithaca’s beautiful botanical landscapes.
Gus Macker | Festival of Basketball @ Main St (Elmira) – A high-energy downtown basketball festival featuring three-on-three competition, community spirit, and fun for all skill levels.
Sunset Music Series Presents Bob Keefe and the Surf Renegades @ Wagner Vineyards (Lodi) – Enjoy sunset vineyard views, live surf rock, dinner, and drinks at this relaxing Friday evening music series.
Heartbern @ Abandon Brewing Company (Penn Yan) – Enjoy live music, craft beer, and scenic Finger Lakes views during an evening performance by Heartbern.
An Evening of Wine & Roses @ The Discovery Center of Southern Tier (Binghamton) – An elegant adults-only fundraiser featuring local wines, live music, art, and after-hours access to interactive museum exhibits.
Summer Jam 2026: J & The Tie Dyers @ ONCO Fermentations (Tully) – Kick off the weekend with live music, craft brews, and laid-back summer vibes at this free brewery concert.
Star Party: Hello Summer Skies @ Baltimore Woods Nature Center (Marcellus) – Explore summer constellations, Venus, and the Milky Way through powerful telescopes during an inspiring guided night sky adventure.
Saturday, July 18
Harford Fair @ Harford Town Field & Pavilion (Harford) – A classic community fair featuring hayrides, live music, local vendors, family activities, and small-town summer fun.
Preserving a 1918 Tommy Biplane @ History Center of Tompkins County (Ithaca) – Discover the restoration of a historic 1918 biplane through hands-on demonstrations and fascinating local aviation history.
Naive Melody @ Abandon Brewing Company (Penn Yan) – Enjoy an afternoon of live music, craft beer, and scenic vineyard views at Abandon Brewing Company.
Wellness Festival @ Lincoln Hill Farms (Canandaigua) – Recharge with yoga, live music, artisan vendors, and a sunset celebration in a scenic Finger Lakes farm setting.
The Lost Rebels Band @ Seneca Stag Brewing (Penn Yan) – Enjoy an evening of live music, craft beer, and laid-back Finger Lakes vibes with The Lost Rebels Band.
Joints And Jokes @ NRE Space (Ithaca) – A cannabis-friendly comedy night pairing stand-up performances with a lively social hour and local cannabis community.
Death Cab for Cutie: I Built You A Tower World Tour @ CMAC (Canandaigua) – Experience an unforgettable night of indie rock as Death Cab for Cutie brings its acclaimed world tour to CMAC.
Mystic Twangers LIVE @ Laurentide Beer Company (Penn Yan) – Enjoy an upbeat evening of live rock, country, and classic favorites with the fun-loving Mystic Twangers at a local brewery.
Stereopticon LIVE @ Two Goats Brewing (Hector) – Experience an energetic evening of original funky rock jams, craft beer, and lakeside vibes at Two Goats Brewing.
Sunday, July 19
Jazz Brunch with Firefly Trio @ Stonecat Café (Hector) – Savor a relaxed Sunday brunch accompanied by live jazz from the Firefly Trio in a cozy café setting.
3rd Annual Antique & Vintage Yard Sale @ Hoffman House Museum (Gorham) – Browse antiques, vintage treasures, and unique collectibles while supporting the preservation of a historic Queen Anne museum.
Dio Day @ Country Music Park & Campground (Cortland) – Celebrate Ronnie James Dio’s legacy with live rock bands, local vendors, exhibits, and a community fundraiser for music scholarships.
Summer Concert Series @ Rose Hill Mansion (Geneva) – Enjoy a free outdoor concert in a beautiful historic setting, perfect for a relaxing summer afternoon of live music.
Los Blancos LIVE @ Steuben Brewing Company (Hammondsport) – Enjoy an afternoon of roots, blues, and high-energy live music with Los Blancos alongside locally crafted beer.
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
