Summer 2019 is already upon us and we’re just itching to get out and enjoy every sunny bit of it! It’s easy for locals living in the counties within the LCHP region since most of us already know what’s around and where the best spots are for summer shenanigans. If you don’t know what to do this summer or you’re just looking for some inspiration, here are ten things you could do and probably enjoy!

  1. Attend the County Fairs

If you’ve never been to a county fair before- in New York or elsewhere- you really need to try it out! All five counties have their respective fairs, jam packed with musical performances, deals, food, and rides. Shania Twain is performing at the Herkimer County Fair in Frankfort, you can check out their website for dates and events here. The Otsego County Fair, located in Morris, has events like demolition derby, rodeo, and karaoke- explore their other events and dates here! Madison County’s Fair is located in Brookfield and features various local musicians, artists, and agriculturalists. You can check out their website here. Schoharie County’s Fair is called the Schoharie County Sunshine Fair and it is located in Cobleskill. There is a heavy emphasis on history, heritage, and agriculture- you won’t want to miss out! Check out their daily schedule and dates here. The Delaware County Fair is celebrating its 133rd year and their not holding back the festivities! This year there will be a Miss Delaware County Fair Pageant, live music from locals, dancing and karaoke, and even a smelly footwear contest- learn more here!

  • Go to a Concert

There are many opportunities to listen to live music, be it local jam bands or big-time bands. This summer, Death Cab for Cutie is playing in Cooperstown on June 21st, kicking off Brewery Ommegang’s summer concert series. The reggae band, Root Shock, will be playing at the Critz Farms and Critz Farms Brewing and Cider Co. in Cazenovia on July 13th. Their website has a calendar of events and other great information about their company and products! If classical, baroque, jazz, bluegrass, or orchestral music is more up your alley then the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival is the perfect string of events for you! In August there is a concert held every Sunday featuring talented musicians from all over the world. You can learn more here! In Bridgeport, there are weekly Chapman Park Summer Concerts for the community to enjoy outside. You can learn more on Madison County’s website.

  • Hike a Trail

New York is home to countless trails, state parks, mountains, lakes, and waterfalls. The LCHP region is no stranger to prime hiking spots, if being outdoors is your preferred state of being, you’ve come to the right place! To start, here is the website listing off New York’s State Parks. If you’re especially serious about checking off items on your Parks Bucket List, you can even get the Empire Pass Card, which can get you free vehicle access for your entire family to most of the New York State Parks. Some notable parks in the LCHP region include Glimmerglass State Park, Mine Kill State Park, and Chittenango Falls State Park.

  • Weekend Getaway on the Water

Summers, even in New York, can get super hot. Luckily, we have a lot of cool lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and ponds to chill in. Cazenovia Lake, Fourth Lake, Tuscarora Lake, and Stillwater Reservoir are only a few of the many possibilities. If you have a boat, this website lists off all the boat launches in each of New York’s counties. Just make sure you bring your bug spray and sunscreen! 

  • Summer Shopping

This year, the Village of Hamilton’s 4th Annual Sidewalk Sale is happening from July 11th to July 13th. Greystone Castle in Canastota hosts a weekly market, which includes food trucks, local crafters, and castle tours. Bouckville hosts an annual week-long antique show and this year it will be held August 12th to August 18th. It is considered to be the largest antique show event in New York State, and possibly even one of the largest outdoor antique events in the whole country! They have a website which lists other show dates and information for vendors. Another antique show happening this summer is just outside of Cooperstown at Wood Bull Field on July 7th. 

  • Learning Local

There are so many educational and learning opportunities in the LCHP region. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County hosts an annual event called Open Farm Day. People who participate get to experience an up-close look at agriculture at farms all across the county. People can take farm tours, see demonstrations, interact with animals and try some food tastings. This year Open Farm Day will be July 27th, you can learn more here. Have you ever wondered about how lavender is grown? Well this summer, Kingfisher Lavender is hosting a workshop for people to learn about how to grow and care for lavender on August 17th in Fly Creek. On July 13th in Peterboro, The Smithfield Community Center is hosting an educational performance titled Possessing Harriet, which is true local history about a woman named Harriet who had escaped slavery. There will also be showings in Franklin, you can learn more here!

  • Community Arts

If you enjoy the arts but don’t have the time or money to make it to Broadway or MoMA, there are many options for great community arts and performances in the LCHP region! In Oneonta, there is Orpheus Theatre, which aims to involve the local youth through theater workshops and classes. This summer they are presenting Aladdin Jr. on June 22nd and 23rd. West Kortright Centre in East Meredith hosts many community events that include theater workshops, various musical performances, costume design, basket weaving, Shakespearean performances, and a July outdoor dance party! The Studio for Art and Craft in Cobleskill hosts classes on painting, glass staining, pottery, and more. If you are a fan of paint ‘n sips, this is a great place to go! They have offsite locations and can even host events and classes at your home.

  • Relax at a Brewery or Winery (or Both!)

Summer is such a great time of year for relaxing outside with locally crafted beer, wine, and cider. Even better, breweries and wineries in the LCHP region are located in such a beautiful geographical region with mountains, valleys, lakes, and varieties of wildlife. Muddy River Farm Brewery located in Unadilla is located right near the North Branch Susquehanna River and is actively involved in its community. A well-known brewery you may have heard of before- Brewery Ommegang– is located in Cooperstown and nestles in an expansive spread of land. This summer they have Death Cab for Cutie kicking off their Summer Concert Series. Middleburgh is home to Green Wolf Brewing Co, which hosts trivia nights, local music, and serves beer made with 100% locally sourced hops and almost all their malted grains come from within New York State. Bear Pond Winery is located in Oneonta near the Susquehanna River. It has a seasonal cafe and their wine is produced on-site. Happy (and safe) drinking!

  • Attend a Festival 

We can’t all make it to Coachella or Osheaga, but luckily there are opportunities to join in on festival celebrations right here in central New York! The Glimmerglass Festival is running from July 6th to August 24th this year in Cooperstown and it looks like it’s going to be a great one! This festival focuses on theater performances, with shows like Show Boat, The Ghosts of Versailles, and La Traviata. There will also be concerts and engaging discussions. For cheese lovers, Little Falls will be hosting a Cheese Festival on July 13th. Many of New York State’s cheesemakers come together for this festival and celebrate all things cheese! In Frankfort from July 26th to the 28th the 2019 Great American Irish Festival will be taking place. There will be many events and musical performances!

  1. Farmers’ Markets

Farmers’ Markets can really only be done right in rural or small towns. Why? Fresh local produce! Our farmers and agriculturalists are foundational components to areas like LCHP and beyond. Sure, there are farmers markets in cities, but nothing is guaranteed fresh or local. People can buy a variety of items, from locally made wine to pumpkins and gourds, freshly picked fruit to an assortment of freshly butchered meats. Many markets also have craft items, such as quilts, jewelry, and pottery- all made by locals. Some farmers’ markets in the LCHP region include Franklin Farmers’ Market, Greyrock Farm in Cazenovia, Ilion Farmers’ Market, Pakatakan Farmers’ Market in Halcottsville, and Delhi’s Farmers’ Market. Who doesn’t love supporting local farmers and small businesses?

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