This is without a doubt one of our favorite times of the year to be in Cazenovia! During America's birthday weekend there are always so many great events going on in and around the town. There are many great ways to build a perfect weekend, here are our humble suggestions.
Friday, June 30th
8:30AM-9:30AM: Listen folks, it’s not the weekend just yet. Get in a gym sesh before the holiday officially kicks off. We love the “strength and toning” class with Carrie Adolfi at Cazenovia Community Fitness and a drop-in class is only $10. For a full schedule of classes, click here.
9:45AM: Breakfast at Pewter Spoon (87 Albany St) A great place to grab a light breakfast and relax in an inviting atmosphere. They have a rotating menu of sandwiches, bowls, specialty brews and more. Emphasis on vegan and vegetarian options – but carnivores are always welcome. Our favorite spot to soak in the scene is on their front patio. For their full menu, or to order online, click here.
10:00AM - 4:30PM: Tour Lorenzo State Historic Site (Rippleton Rd.) where history comes to life at this home to five generations and 160 years of occupation by the founding family of Cazenovia. Tours available Friday and Saturday by appointment only. (315) 655-3200 If you can't get an appointment, be sure to head over there anyways to walk the stunning grounds and see the immaculate flower gardens.
10:00AM - 5:00PM: Cazenovia Shops will be hosting sidewalk sales. Here are a few of our favorite shops!
H. Grey Supply Co. (53 Albany Street) is a must visit while in town. As a modern-day general store, these owners know that in today's world "essentials" can mean everything from the perfect shade of lipstick to a block of artisanal cheese, to mixers for the perfect summertime mocktail. www.hgreysupplyco.com
Lillie Bean (57 Albany Street) is just next door and the owner has phenomenal style which translates in to a brilliant collection of women's clothing and accessories. And don't worry -- the little ones won't be left out. There are unique children's items, toys and great gifts available as well. www.lilliebean.com
Find the perfect pair of sunglasses for the weekend at Eye Love Optical Boutique (1 Lincklaen St.). Not your average spectacles, you will be amazed at how many people stop you to say "I absolutely love those sunglasses!" Glasses are an extension of personal style, and the pairs you find at Eye Love are nothing less than art. www.eyeloveboutique.com
Jasmine Rae Floral Design (61 Albany St.) does floral design but so much more! They have an incredible eclectic offering of unique books, plants, candles, herbal spa sets, home decor and more! Great statement pieces that just beg to be displayed! jasmineraefloral.com
2PM: Lunch at Kalamata Pita (47 Albany St.) is a must when walking around the downtown. This local gem serves ups incredible Greek food including gyros, salads, rice bowls and more! Enjoy dining on site or take lunch to-go and walk down to the picnic tables at cannon park to enjoy some al fresco dining in the town center. www.kalamatapita.com
3PM: Walk through art in nature at Stone Quarry Hill Art Park: (3883 Stone Quarry Rd.) Inspired by the relationship between art and nature, Stone Quarry Hill Art Park seeks to educate and engage the public through permanent and non-permanent art exhibitions set among 104 acres of conserved land and groomed trails. Be sure to drop a donation in the collection bin as you enter to ensure that future generations have the luxury of visiting this amazing natural setting. www.sqhap.org
5:00PM - 9:00PM: We seem to always be craving Mexican food. Are we the only ones? Luckily Cazenovia has many options to keep you satisfied. Stop into El Patron (84 Albany St.), Madison County Distillery (2412 US Route 20), or just over the hill to Madison County Tacos (3264 US Route 20) to get your fix!
7:30PM: Grab a scoop or two at Carter's Creamery (35 Albany St.) Remember, they close at 8pm, so make sure you get there on time! Great scoops and friendly smiles. And if you want to continue the tex-mex theme of the evening, they offer something called “Ice Cream Nachos” that are comprised waffle chips and your choice of ice cream and toppings.
Saturday, July 1st
8AM: Breakfast at Cazenovia Bagel Co. (79 Nelson St.) Authentic NYC-style bagels (with GF options) and bialys with various cream cheese flavors. One of our favorites is their Al’wich which is on an onion bagel, ham, egg, scallion cream cheese and capers. Trust us, you will love it! www.cazenoviabagelco.com
9AM – 2PM: Cazenovia's Farmer's Market on the village green. A beautiful selection of everything local from the bounty of Central New York! Everything from coffee, to local produce, meat, prepared foods, gifts, woodworking and more! A great morning stroll for sure!For more information click here.
10:00AM - 5:00PM: Starting today, and going on all weekend long, the Cazenovia Shops will be hosting sidewalk sales.
Heartstone Bakery (11 Lincklaen St.) A true artisan bakery creating beautiful naturally fermented sourdough breads, pastries, cookies, breakfast breads and more using a large amount of local organic flours and grains. All items are produced from scratch and by hand! www.heartstonebakery.com
J.S. Hight & Sons (58 Albany St.) Ever feel overwhelmed walking into a wine shop -- we understand completely! That is not the case with one of Cazenovia's most beloved wine and spirits stores. The focus here is not on quantity, but quality. The entire store is curated with wines that are hand selected from wine aficionado, Judith Hight. Most wines are very affordable and meant to be consumed immediately. Great staples and rotating seasonal recommendations.
The Key (66 Albany St.) To say that we are in love with The Key is an understatement! In our humble opinion, this shop run by volunteers for the benefit of St. Peter's Church is second to none! A robust selection of new and gently used items are available here. The selection is unique and ever-evolving -- housewares, clothing, furniture and more! To see our full blog post on The Key, click here.
10:30AM - 4:00PM: Pick your own lavender at Farmstead1868 (4690 Shephards Road)! July is a special month where the lavender is completely in bloom, and you must see this picturesque farm! For more details about this event, click here.
11AM: Join the Cazenovia Public Library for their annual kick off to the Fourth of July with the famous Teddy Bear Parade! Meet Ms. Jenna & Ms. Debora by Community Bank at 11am on July 1. Decorated bikes, scooters and wagons are welcomed and encouraged. Once we are at the library lawn we will share games, activities, and refreshments including hot dogs! For more details about this event, click here.
1PM: Grab a slice of pizza at Owagena Pizzeria or Caz Pizza.
5PM - 9:00PM: Dinner at Meier’s Creek Brewing Co: (33 Rippleton Rd.) As the largest farm brewery in New York State – this is a must-see place! Floor to ceiling glass windows give you a glimpse into the immense endeavor it is to create craft beer. A good selection of reimagined comfort foods to be enjoyed in their expansive dining room and on their stunning back patio. https://www.meierscreekbrewing.com
5PM – 8PM: Finish off the night at Critz Farms (3232 Rippleton Rd.) with live music from Butternut Creek Rival As party of their Summer Music Series, Butternut Creek Revival will be performing on the Critz Farms tasting room patio. They will be serving farm brewed beer & hard ciders. We love the funky and innovative brews from this family-run beverage operation. The beers are seasonal and constantly changing. Their tasting room features 8 taps on draft and all beverages (wine, cider & beer) are available in their gift shop. This is a free show. For more details about this event, click here.
Sunday, July 2nd:
8am: Coffee at Purpose Coffee Co. or grab a full breakfast at Dave's Diner (35 Albany St.) Stop in for a coffee, tea, cold-brew, smoothie, latte and more at the to-go counter or grab a table in the restaurant. This open kitchen diner serves up great portions of breakfast classics.
9:30am - 10:30am: Yoga On The Docks Each Sunday we will be gathering on the docks at 9:30am for a 1-hour yoga session. As part of your ticket, you will receive a complimentary mimosa or Bloody Mary. Tickets are $20. For more information click here. To RSVP for yoga, click here.
10:00AM - 5:00PM: Cazenovia Shops will be hosting sidewalk sales. Here are a few of our favorite shops!
Otis & Matilda (65 Albany Street) One of the newest boutiques in Cazenovia featuring stunning shoes,handbags, and even candles. Each piece is unique and full of personality! You will surely find yourself buying items and waiting for the perfect occasion to present itself! www.otismatilda.com
12:00PM-4:00PM: Lunch & Wine Tasting at Owera Vineyards (East Lake Road) Stop into the tasting room to sample the local bounty. As you enter this picturesque vineyard, you will be overwhelmed by the beauty of the perfectly manicured vines. We love their estate pours including the Frontenac Gris which pair perfectly with a Mediterranean board a table on their outdoor patio. www.oweravineyards.com
4PM: Society for New Music with Cazenovia Counterpoint presents Glorious Mahalia at the First Presbyterian Church (Albany Street). For more details click here.
7PM-10PM: Jay & The Tie Dyers will be preforming live at The Brae Loch Inn (Albany St). If you haven't seen them yet -- you surely must! They get the whole crowd moving and dancing. This show is not to be missed! Grab yourself a “Screaming Scot” cocktail on the back patio or explore this historic inn with a game or two of billiards in their cozy basement bar. www.braelochinn.com
Monday, July 3rd:
8AM: Grab a latte at H.Grey Social (53 Albany St.) They have a great selection of breakfast beverages including their "Iced Astorian" frappe and our personal favorite the Pistachio Rose Iced Latte. Enjoy on their big yellow couch -- or even better watch all the action unfold on one of their outdoor bar stools. www.hgreysupplyco.com
10:00AM - 5:00PM = Sidewalk Sales at the downtown shops on Albany & Lincklaen Street.
Loka Leaf Tea Lounge (76 Albany Street) The perfect spot if you need a moment to chill. Try a hot tea, iced tea or our personal favorite -- bubble tea! A great setting to catch up with family and friends and take a moment of respite before the busy 4th!
11am: Swimming at Gypsy Bay: (Route 13) Walk out the door of The Brewster Inn and take a right. Just a short walk down the road and you will come across a big open field and a parking area. Great for sunbathing or a leisurely summer picnic this is a great local swimming spot. Head down to the water for a great secluded sandy swimming area. No life guards on-duty here, so swim at your own risk. Also – a great spot to launch kayaks, paddleboards and canoes.
12:00PM: Lunch at The Lincklaen House: (79 Albany St.) Casual dining in a beautiful historic building in the center of Cazenovia’s downtown. Fan favorites include poutine, nachos, baked brie and more!
2PM: Visit Chittenango Falls: (2300 Rathbun Rd.) A picturesque 167-foot waterfall is the main attraction of Chittenango Falls State Park! Glacial sculpting over 400 million year-old bedrock is responsible for this scenic feature. Visitors can view the falls from the top, walk the winding trail into the gorge view the falls from the footbridge and return to the top along the small trail on the opposite side of the gorge. Activities include fishing, hiking and picnicking. (315) 637-6111 / Dawn – Dusk Daily / www.parks.ny.gov
3:00pm: Explore the Madison Country Freedom Trail: This trail marks county wide sites of the Underground Railroad that have been identified and researched by the Madison County Freedom Trail Commission. www.madisoncounty.ny.gov
4PM: Kayak on Cazenovia Lake with Morse Kayak Rentals. They offer kayak and canoe rentals on Cazenovia Lake with transportation to Lakeside Park, Gypsy Bay and other locations. Call (315) 655-2400.
5:00PM: Grab a cocktail at The Brewster Inn's outdoor bar (6 Ledyard Ave.) They are the only restaurant situated right on the water, so you can even boat or kayak right to some of the best lakeside dining in Central New York. For more information, click here.
Tuesday, July 4th
8:00AM - 10:00AM: The 50th Annual Fourth of July Foot Races administered by the Syracuse Chargers Track Club & the Cazenovia High School Cross Country and Volleyball Programs. 5K & 10K kicks off from Lakeland Park (5K through the village and 10K around the Lake. Come out to cheer on your family & friends!
8:00AM - 10:00AM = Pancake Breakfast at Lakeland Park.
10:00AM - 5:00PM = Sidewalk Sales at the downtown shops on Albany & Lincklaen Street.
20 I East (85 Albany Street) this store is more than a quick stop. Every inch of counter space is covered in unique local finds. Everything from one-of-a-kind cutting boards, to flowers, food essentials and more! www.20-east.com
11:00AM = Lifeguards on duty at Lakeland Park! Come for a swim! Food will be available all day at Lakeland Park too!
12:30PM = Parade Line up in front of high school and steps off at 1PM down Lincklaen St. and west on Albany St. back to school. Please bring lawn chairs to sit along the route.
1:00PM-3:00PM: "Red, White & Brews" at Meier's Creek Brewery. They will be featuring a specialty limited menu all day, as well firing up the outdoor grill! Enjoy live music by Ben Wayne from 1PM-3PM and the Nosmo Kings from 4PM–7PM. Then stay to catch the epic Cazenovia town fireworks from the best view around!
1:00PM-4:00PM: Live Music at The Brae Loch Inn - Shannon Peterson. Shannon will be traveling from Fredericksburg, VA to perform at the Brae Loch Inn on the 4th of July. Shannon is known for his variety of music, including, classic rock, countries, oldies, new age, originals and more. He is also know for his 3 hour performance with no breaks. Hope to see you out for a bite to eat and a few drinks after the parade. For more details on this event, click here.
5:00PM - 7:00PM = Party Nuts Band with Dave Novak preform at Lakeland Park! Grab a lawn chair and blanket and mosey on down.
7:00PM - 9:00PM = Maria DeSantis Orchestra preform at Lakeland Park!
9:00PM = Fireworks over the south end of the lake presented by the Cazenovia Lion's Club.
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