Finger Lakes Lifestyle

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The land or the lakes? The clean air or the open spaces? What is it about the Finger Lakes that inspires so many to visit or to live in this part of New York? It’s the lifestyle – most will answer. Four seasons packed with options for outdoor recreation and healthy living. Fresh water lakes and splendid country roads weave together the small towns. We’re not big and fancy – nor do we want to be. We enjoy the simplicity of getting around – as well as our easy access to the Fingerlakes region’s two major cities –Rochester and Syracuse. We’re proud of our heritage, our art – that comes in culinary form as well as visual and musical fun. From grape festivals to wine tastings – from roadside stands to pick your own – from fast paced gaming and stock cars to strolls along Main Street – perhaps it’s the diversity that is the Finger Lakes lifestyle trademark. Want to try out our lifestyle – below are some of the most popular places to experience what the Finger Lakes is all about. Let us know what you think after you visit – by sending us your story of why you like the Finger Lakes Lifestyle.

Finger Lakes Festivals

Now, I'm just thinking that if you're planning a trip to the Finger Lakes ~ why not plan your visit around one of our Finger Lakes Annual Festivals?

New York Ice Wine Festival
Fairport, New York | Third weekend in February
A celebration of New York State’s award winning Ice Wines that will be featured, tasted and talked about by wine lovers locally, regionally and nationally. Guests will enjoy an interactive and intimate experience including: Ice wine stations, wine seminars, gourmet food stations, live music, winery tours, ice bar and ice carving demonstration.
www.casalarga.com/IceWineFestival

nICE Festival
Canandaigua, New York | Last weekend in February
A celebration of Ice Wines and Food! We are offering free ice wine tasting in our tasting room and exhibit room accompanied by Renée Suzette’s Chocolate as well as ice sculpture demonstrations outside with complimentary hot chocolate for the kids & Keuka Lake Coffee Roasters hot coffee for the adults. After enjoying the outdoor activities, visit the restaurant for an ice wine and appetizer special. Other events for the day include regularly scheduled classes.
www.nywcc.com/learn/nICE_Fest.php

The Golden Nose Award: A Finger Lakes Wine Experience
Canandaigua, New York | Third weekend in April
The Golden Nose is a one-of-a-kind competition that allows consumers to award the best wines from the Finger Lakes region. The New York Wine & Culinary Center is host to the event. Consumers will learn techniques of wine judging from local winemakers, and then award medals during a professionally-run competition. At this years event, a special Riesling Champion will be crowned by consumer judges. The weekend consists of: Friday Night Golden Nose Kitchen Social, Golden Nose Judge Package, and Golden Nose Award Reception.
www.nywcc.com/learn/program_schedule_prod.php?id=71

Roses and Rosés
Canandaigua, New York | Third week in June
Roses & Rosés Annual Wine & Dine Gala is an elegant evening of fine wines and foods. Guests will enjoy the splendor of Sonnenberg's Rose Garden and the taste of culinary samples, complimented with wine pairings from area wineries, all on a balmy summer's eve.
www.sonnenberg.org/wc-events.html

Cruisin Night & Weekend Event
Geneva, NY | Third weekend in July
Come join Geneva Business Improvement District for the 11th Annual Cruisin Night Event, that kicks off on Friday, July 23, 2010, 5pm-10pm and runs through Sunday the 27th. This year, the weekend event will also include a boat show on beautiful Seneca Lake, vehicles from Cruisin Night, and a Bike Fest event.
www.downtowngeneva.org

Phelps Sauerkraut Festival
Phelps, New York | First weekend in August
This yearly event celebrates ~ what else ~ Sauerkraut! Did you know that Phelps, New York was one of the largest producers of sauerkraut ~ not just in the Finger Lakes ~ in the world! Though the factories no longer exist, the celebration continues with food, rides, games, arts & craft vendors, beer, music and more!
www.phelpssauerkrautfestival.com/

Plein Air Festival at Billsboro Winery
Geneva, New York | Second week in August
En plein air is a French expression which means "in the open air", and is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors. Plein Air Painting Festival showcases local artists painting the local landscape. Artists arrive in the early morning hours to have their canvases stamped and dated then head out to spend two days painting the surrounding scenery. The weekend's highlight is the Artist's Gala Reception featuring live music, fine foods and wines, and a juried art competition.
www.billsborowinery.com/art.html

Arts at the Gardens
Canandaigua, New York | Third Weekend in August
This 2-day judged fine art show and sale is held on the grounds of Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park. Arts at the Gardens features paintings, prints, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, glass, woodwork, photography, and other fine art created by 100 talented artists chosen from a large pool of applicants from across the country. Admission includes a visit to the beautiful Sonnenberg Mansion and Gardens. Also on tap is a Beer Garden featuring local ales from Rohrbach's and Custom BrewCrafters. Under the Wegman's Food Tent, visitors can find fare from Simply Crepes and the Kiwanis/Rotary Grille. Wine by the glass is available in the Wine Center and at the Mansion. Win a piece of art from one of the exhibiting artists. Chances are for sale at the Raffle tent. Also enjoy live entertainment. Arts at the Gardens has been ranked as one of the top rated Fine Art Shows in all of New York State.
www.artsatthegardens.org/aboutus.php

Finger Lakes Riesling Festival
Canandaigua, New York | Third weekend in August
Finger Lakes wineries showcasing some of the best Rieslings in the world along with live entertainment, an exceptional arts & crafts sale, local harvest-fresh produce, great eats, a classic car show and a battle of the bands! Lots of family fun! Lakeshore Drive and Pier Canandaigua, New York.
www.rieslingfestival.com/

Naples Grape Festival
Naples, New York | Third full weekend in September
A celebration of grapes this festival features best of class artists and craftsman as well as a variety of interesting food, great music and of course our newest addition the Wine Tasting tent featuring NY State Wines! Naples is world renowned for it's grape pies and we welcome your entry to the World's Greatest Grape Pie Contest!
www.naplesgrapefest.org/

Purple Foot Festival
Fairport, New York | Fourth weekend in September
Purple Foot Festival at Casa Larga Vineyards and Winery is one of the largest grape stomping festivals in the Eastern U.S.! Celebrate harvest through the old world tradition of stomping grapes. Also enjoy wine tasting, live music, wine seminars, vineyard hayrides, winery tours and local food vendors.
www.casalarga.com/PurpleFoot

Slice, Dice and Spice NY
Canandaigua, New York | Fourth Sunday in September
Top chefs from Finger Lakes restaurants will each team up with a group of amateur foodies and compete against each other in an Iron Chef-like event to be held at the New York Wine & Culinary Center. The ensuing competition will feature many Finger Lakes and New York State culinary assets. The teams will create a meal using common “Market Basket” ingredients and one secret ingredient. All of these ingredients will come from New York and showcase the vast amount of products that can be found in the area. Along with creating a appetizer, main course and dessert – the chefs will have the task of pairing each of their dishes with a wine from the CanandaiguaWine Trail. The meals will be judged by a panel of food experts. There will be tasting tables from local and regional restaurants,food producers and wineries along with live music.
www.slicediceandspiceny.com

Christkindl Market
Canandaigua, New York | Second weekend in November
This event it held on the lawn of the majestic Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum in a series of decorated heated tents. This event brings together over 100 regional artisans and several unique food vendors. German food along with traditional fare, wine and "Gideon's Grog" will be available. German and holiday music will fill the tent throughout the show. Several of our antique carriages will be available for rides each afternoon of the festival weekend.
www.canandaiguachristkindlmarket.com

Don't forget to check out what the New York Wine & Culinary Center in Canandaigua and the Finger Lakes Wine Trails have going on. The Center and all of the trails stay busy with activities and festivals all year long:
Canandaigua Wine Trail
Senecal Lake Wine Trail
Keuka Lake Wine Trail
Cayuga Lake Wine Trail

Cheers!