Feb 21 2009
CNY Festivals and Events
The winters may be long in Upstate New York, but spring and summer compensate for the winters with a variety of festivals and special events offering live music, great food, and fun for all ages. Here’s a list of some of the best events CNY has to offer in alphabetical order.
Held at Chevrolet Court at the NYS Fairgrounds on May 24, the 2009 celebration of all things blues included performances by The Blind Boys of Alabama, The Radiators, Edgar Winter, Roomful of Blues, and John Lee Hooker, Jr.
Held at the Cayuga County Fairgrounds (Route 31, off the New York State Thruway, Exit 40) features live music, entertainment, rides, foods, and more.
Central New York Scottish Games and Celtic Festival
August 8: This annual event is held at Long Branch Park in Liverpool. The day kicks off at 9 a.m. and features bagpipe music, highland dancing, food, parade, and games. There are also vendors selling Celtic items. Admission is free.
September 12-13: This two-day event features entertainment, crafts, music and food and takes place at Emerson Park on Owasco Lake.
Enjoy chamber music concerts and festivities over four days in June at the Colgate University campus and in the village of Hamilton NY.
Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival
Sept. 13-15: Outdoor exhibition of original art and music held annually in Downtown Norwich, New York.
Constellation Brands — Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center
The annual outdoor summer on the grounds of Finger Lakes Community College kicks off June 2 with a concert featuring David Byrne and Ani DiFranco. The rest of this summer’s lineup includes Crosby, Stills and Nash (June 10), The Offspring with the Dropkick Murphys and Frank Turner (June 30), Bad Company and Doobie Brothers (July 2), The Rochester Philharmonic featuring The Rochester City Ballet (July 3), Judas Priest with Whitesnake (July 8), Jackson Browne with Steve Earle (Aug. 1), Jason Mraz (Aug. 2), John Legend with India.Arie and Vaughn Anthony (Aug. 10), Blondie and Pat Benatar with The Donnas (Aug. 11), The Allman Brothers Band and Widespread Panic (Aug. 22.), and Counting Crows (Sept. 6).
Cortland Main Street Music Series
This annual summer music festival takes place in the parking lot of the Market Place Mall (64 Main St., Cortland) and starts at 6 p.m. This years series starts July 10 and features The Duke Robillard Band. Other acts include Alo Brasil (July 24) and Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad (July 31). Admission is free.
Empire State Brewing & Music Festival
The 2009 Empire State Brewing and Music Festival took place July 10 in Clinton Square. This 2009 lineup included The Bagpipe Dudes, CXTec Dinosaurs (winner of Rockin’ the Red Cross), Merit, Blue Sky Mission Club, Los Blancos, The Josh Dion Band, The Horseshoe Lounge Playboys, and The Buddhahood.
Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival
Four days of the best Cajun, roots rock, African, Latino, stringband, and world music held at Trumansburg Fairgrounds, Trumansburg NY.
Golden Harvest Festival
September: Beaver Lake Nature Center (315) 638-2519.
September 11-12: Held in Armory Square in downtown Syracuse, this event features great Irish bands, step dancers, lectures, exhibits, workshops, food and children’s activities. Friday night’s main stage lineup includes The Flying Column, Seamus Kennedy, The Kreelers, and Gaelic Storm. Saturday’s entertainment lineup features Irish Mass, The Syracuse Irish Session, Creevy, the Causeway Giants, The Young Dubliners, The Dooley Choraliers, The Freeborn Men, Seamus Kennedy, and The Prodigals.
Annual festival with music by national and local acts, food, fireworks, and crafts in Oswego.
Hump Day Concert Series
June 10-August 5: Enjoy music from great national acts at Syracuse’s Inner Harbor Wednesday nights starting June 10 and run through August 5. The event will include performances by The Georgia Satellites (June 10), The Marshall Tucker Band (June 17), Cracker (June 24), Syracuse Area Music Award winners and Fireworks (July 1), Syracuse 1980s reunion featuring the New York Flyers, Alecstar and Sandy Bigtree (July 8), Dickey Betts and Great Southern (July 15), The Outlaws (July 29), and Skid Row (Aug. 5). Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and there will be food and beverages for sale. Admission is free.
August 14-15: This celebration of hot wings, hot music, and hot bikes is held at Syracuse’s Inner Harbor over two days. Blue Oyster Cult will be Saturday’s headliner. The event also includes Squared Circle Wrestling on Saturday. More entertainment TBA.
Jazz Appreciation Society Concerts
This monthly event is held at McNamara’s Pub (5600 Newport Rd., Camillus). Shows include The Jon Seiger All-Stars (April 26), Summer Jam Session (July 12), The Jambalaya Jazz Band (Oct. 18),Djug Django (Nov. 22), and the JASS Holiday Jam Session (Dec. 17).
The Jordan Fall Festival
Free Live Entertainment, Classic Car Show, Food, Games, Rides, and much more!
Aug. 8: Central New York’s Modern Rock, K-Rock 100.9 Annual Music Fest takes place at the New York State Fairgrounds infield and will feature Three Doors Down, Papa Roach, Chevelle, Street Sweeper Social Club, Atreyu, 10 Years, Sick Puppies, Framing Hanley, Since October and more.
Early-bird tickets on sale Saturday at NAPA stores in and around Syracuse. These $25 are also available at Big Apple Music in New Harford and Herkimer, and Wholesale Music in Herkimer. Once the advance-sale tickets are sold-out, tickets will be $37.
Liverpool is the Place Concert Series
June 1 - August 19: The Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and AmeriCu sponsors this event, which features music from area bands on Monday and Wednesday evenings starting at 7 p.m. The free concerts are on Monday and Wednesday nights in Johnson Park. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the music.
Formerly known as the Inner Harbor Block Party, this weekly event takes place at Syracuse’s Regional Market (Park St.) and runs every Thursday from Mid-May through the end of August. Click here for the 2009 lineup.
August 27-September 7: This annual event, held at the NYS Fairgrounds (State Fair Blvd.) offers a variety of entertainment throughout its run. There’s live music all over the fairgrounds at various venues, including Chevrolet Court , that’s free with the price of admission. The Mohegan Sun Grandstand offers concerts featuring national acts. There is a separate ticket charge for grandstand shows. There is something for everyone at the great NYS Fair!
New York State Rhythm & Blues Fest
Annual Blues Fest with two days and two stages of continuous music provide a wide variety of styles and artists for a true blues experience for fans of all levels. Held in Clinton and Armory Squares in downtown Syracuse. Click here for the 2009 lineup.
Northeast Jazz and Wine Festival
Held in Syracuse’s Clinton Square, this year’s Northeast Jazz and Wine Festival (formerly Jazz in the Square) featured Thelonious Mike Project, Nicole Henry and R&B saxophonist Donald Harrison along with local musicians, including the CNY Jazz Orchestra, the Stan Colella Parks & Recreation All-Star Big Band, and the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra with trumpet player Joe Magnarelli.
The annual Rockin’ the Red Cross battle of the bands takes place at Syracuse’s Landmark Theatre (362 S. Salina St.) the last Friday in April. The event features bands from area companies competing for bragging rights as the best corporate band in CNY. Proceeds benefit the Onondaga-Oswego Chapter of the American Red Cross.
August 12- September 5: Five weeks of chamber music, chamber orchestra and children’s concerts held in various venues in Skaneateles.
Syracuse Arts and Crafts Festival
Family friendly event held in Columbus Circle in downtown Syracuse featuring art and fine crafts, food, music and much more.
This annual event takes place at Jamesville Beach Park in Jamesville, N.Y. in mid-June. The festival includes hot air balloon rides, balloon launches, great food, and entertainment from local and national acts.
Syracuse International Film Fest
This celebration of movies is held at various venues around Syracuse in late April/early May and features dozens of movies in a wide variety of genres.
The annual celebration of jazz is held on the campus of Onondaga Community College. The 2009 festival featured performers include Kenny G., Spyro Gyra, Creatchy and The Cats, and Randy Brecker/Bill Evans Soulbop Band.
This event takes place in Clinton Square and features ethnic foods, arts and crafts, bands, children’s entertainment, and much more.
Syracuse Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
This annual celebration of all things Irish takes place in downtown Syracuse. The parade starts at noon the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day.
Taste of Syracuse runs for two days in and around Clinton Square the first weekend in June. Area restaurants and wineries provide samples of their specialties, and entertainment is provided by some of the best local bands along with national acts. The event also includes cooking demonstrations, a cigar bar, arts and crafts, and fireworks. The Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMYs) are held in conjunction with the event.
Thousand Island Bluegrass Preservation Society 19th Annual Bluegrass Festival
Hosted by Bill Knowlton, the festival is held at Stone Mills Agricultural Museum in Lafargeville (NY Rt 180 South). The 2009 lineup included Remington Ryde, Abrams-Burtch, Acoustic Blue, Food Stamp Ramblers, Dyer Switch, Reed and Linda Crowner, Spare Change, Roe Family, and Lost Time.
Sept. 13: This event celebrates the diversity of the Westcott neighborhood with an eclectic mix of music, performing arts, food, and local artisans. The family-friendly fair runs from noon until 6:30 p.m. on the 550 block of Westcott Street.
Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival
This festival featured over 200 individual concerts at various venues in and around Rochester. The 2009 lineup included Smokey Robinson, Dave Brubeck, Michael McDonald, Taj Mahal, Carolyn Wonderland, Jake Shimabukuro, Susan Tedeschi and S.M.V, The Thunder Tour with Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, and more.
