Are you ready for a jam-packed week in Central New York? This final full week of July is shaping up to be one of the busiest of the summer. Downtown Syracuse sees the return of the Party in the Square in Clinton Square on Wednesday evening, and the popular Syracuse Arts and Crafts Festival and Northeast Jazz and Wine Festival this weekend. To the north, Oswego Harborfest, a local favorite since 1988, is ready for another weekend of music, rides, and fireworks. In LaFayette, a new venue is looking to recreate the Summer Jam concert from 1973. And the Skaneateles Antique and Classic Boat Show at Clift Park is scheduled for its 45th year. If you on Route 90 in the Finger Lakes region, there is a 54-mile garage sale. Plus, we have another rock concert at the Amp, a holiday movie favorite at NBT Stadium, and, oh yeah, Boeheim’s Army looks to start a championship run in The Basketball Tournament here at home.
Know of an event you would like to see on this list? Email us at least two weeks in advance at [email protected].
Monday
#5 CJ Fair in game action against The Nerd Team. Boeheim’s Army takes on The Nerd Team in their game in The Basketball Tournament at the SRC Arena on the OCC Campus. Dennis Nett | [email protected]
Syracuse Regional of the TBT
Watch Boeheim’s Army has it hosts some of the opening rounds of the annual TBT (The Basketball Tournament), a 64-team winner-takes-all $1 million event. The Upstate Medical University Arena is the host for games on Monday, Wednesday, and the final on Friday. Boeheim’s Army begins its run to a possible title on Monday at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster for $20 plus fees.
Where: 515 Montgomery Street, Syracuse
When: Seven games will be played from starting at 2 p.m. on Monday through Friday night’s regional final.
How much: $20 plus fees.
Wednesday
The first Party in the Square of 2023 is Wednesday, July 26. Scott Schild, [email protected]Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.
Party in the Square
Looking to blow off some steam in the middle of the work week in Clinton Square on a Wednesday night? Syracuse’s Party in the Square returns for the first of four straight weeks of free live music, food, wine slushies, and fun. Dark Hollow and Vagabonds perform and there will be food trucks from Oompa Loompyas, Happy Eating Grounds, Elbita’s Cocina, and Johnny Gee’s BBQ. Go to www.SyrPartyInTheSquare.com for more info.
Where: Clinton Square, Syracuse
When: Wednesday from 5-9 p.m.
How much: Free
Thursday
Oswego Harborfest draws crowds to multiple sites around the waterfront, Oswego, N.Y., in this July 28, 2017, file photo. Scott Schild | [email protected]
Oswego Harborfest
Since debuting in 1988, Oswego Harborfest has grown from a local event to a major regional festival attracting 75,000 visitors annually. And it remains free to attend. The tradition continues from Thursday through Sunday with 30 music performances, attractions, vendors, and a spectacular fireworks display on Saturday night. Visit www.oswegoharborfest.com for a complete schedule of events.
Where: Multiple locations around Oswego
When: Thursday-Sunday
How much: Free to attend.
Christmas in July movie night
The “boys of summer” take a break at NBT Stadium to make way for a holiday favorite on the big screen. “The Polar Express” will be shown on Thursday at Hospice of CNY’s “Christmas in July” movie night. Fans can sit on the baseball field or in the stadium seats to see the family holiday film starting at 7:30 p.m. followed by fireworks. Please bring your own blanket of chair if you sit in the outfield. Concession stands will be open. Special giveaways will be offered for the first 400 attendees. General admission tickets are available at hospicecny.org/hospice-family-movie-night; prices are $25 per adult, $10 for kids ages 6-12, and free for children 5 and under. Raffle tickets, four-top reserved seating, VIP experiences and suites are also available.
Where: 1 Tex Simone Drive, Syracuse
When: Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
How much: $25 per adult, $10 for kids ages 6-12, and free for children 5 and under. VIP experiences are also available.
Symphoria Sounds of Summer
Baldwinsville’s Kerri Hornaday Park will be filled with music on Thursday evening as Symphoria continues its “Sounds of Summer” series with a free concert. Enjoy works by Principal Pops conductor Sean O’Laughlin and favorites from stage and screen. Bring your own lawn chair or blankets.
Where: 6222 Deep Glade Drive, Baldwinsville
When: Thursday at 7 p.m.
How much: Free
Friday
Lorraine Cummings shows off her handcrafted birdbaths, tiles and mushrooms at the 51st Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival.
Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival
Downtown Syracuse comes alive during this three-day showcase of art, crafts, and entertainment. The area around Columbus Circle and Cathedral Square will feature about 150 artists and crafters. Visitors can browse and shop through their exhibits. Street performances by musicians, dance groups, local singers and songwriters and food vendors will be there too. Visit downtownsyracuse.com/events/signature/syracuse-arts-crafts-festival for more information, schedules, and maps.
Where: Downtown Syracuse around Columbus Circle and Cathedral Square.
When: Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How much: Free to attend.
Jumaane Smith headlines Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival
Northeast Jazz and Wine Festival
CNY Jazz hosts its annual jazz festival, accompanied by wine and food, at Clinton Square on Friday and Saturday. The two-day event is part of Artsweek in Downtown Syracuse. Headliners include Sax Pack founder Jeff Kashiwa on Friday, and vocalist and trumpeter Jumaane Smith on Saturday. The event is free to attend. Visit http://www.nejazzwinefest.org/ for more details and schedules.
Where: Clinton Square, Syracuse
When: Music starts at 5 p.m. on Friday and noon on Saturday.
How much: Free to attend.
Spectators aboard the Judge Ben Wiles lake at one of the antique boat riding along at Antique and Classic Boat Show in Skaneateles in 2017. The event returns this weekend at Clift Park. Dennis Nett | [email protected], SYRSYR
Skaneateles Antique and Classic Boat Show
The Skaneateles Antique and Classic Boat Show takes over Clift Park this weekend for its 45th year. Annually, the show brings 10,000 visitors and vendors from across New York State, the eastern U.S. and Canada. Visitors will enjoy viewing – and meeting the owners of – some 90 runabouts, launches, sailboats, canoes, rowing craft and race boats, many restored to their original condition. There will also be music and children’s activities. Admission is free. Go to Skaneateles.com for more details and show schedule.
Where: Clift Park, Skaneateles.
When: Friday from 3 p.m. to dusk, Saturday from 9 a.m. to dusk, and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
How much: Free to attend.
Summer Jam 50th Anniversary
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the 1973 concert at Watkins Glen which drew 600,000 fans. This two-day event at the Wonderland Forest in LaFayette features tribute acts of three of the bands which performed at the first Summer Jam, the Grateful Dead, The Band, and the Allman Brothers. Located 15 minutes south of Syracuse, the new 400-acre venue offers a scenic backdrop for two days of music. Get your tickets at www.showclix.com/event/summer-jam-50-. VIP and camping packages are also available.
Where: 4812 South Cook Road, LaFayette
When: Friday Gates open Friday at 11:00am, with music starting at 4:00. On Saturday, gates open at 10 and music starts at 1.
How much: Weekend passes are $150. Kids are $100. Single-day, camping, and VIP packages are also available.
Annual Route 90 Garage Sale
Every year during the last full weekend of July, the 54-mile stretch of Route 90 in the Finger Lakes, from Montezuma to Homer, becomes one big garage sale. Visitors from as far away as California come to shop at this most unique sale. Check out the event’s Facebook page for its history and more info.
Where: Route 90 from Montezuma to Homer
When: Friday-Sunday
How much: Free to attend.
– The Norwich Theater Company presents “The Wizard of Oz” this weekend. Courtesy of the Norwich Theater CompanyCourtesy of the Norwich Theater Company
“Wizard of Oz”
The Norwich Theater Company is offering one of their largest productions to date this weekend. “The Wizard of Oz” is scheduled for three days at the Martin W. Kappel Theater featuring talented actors of all ages from the local community. Filled with songs, dancing, this classic tale of Dorothy, her three friends, and Toto and a very wicked witch, is directed by Mike Clark and Miranda Hunter. Tickets can be purchased directly from Norwich Theater Company by calling (607) 244-3852 or visiting norwichtheatercompany.org or at Chenango Arts Council where the play is being staged.
Where: 27 West Main Street, Norwich.
When: Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2.
How much: $20 for adults and $10 for children under 12.
– Annie Davey and Jeremy Rusu will be performing on Saturday at the New York State Old Tyme Fiddlers’ 50th Picnic during the weekend of July 28-30 in Redfield. Courtesy of the NYS Old Tyme FiddlersCourtesy of the NYS Old Tyme Fiddlers
Fiddler’s Picnic
The New York State Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame and Museum is holding its 50th annual Fiddlers Picnic with a weekend of events in Redfield. On Friday there is a gospel show at 7 p.m. On Saturday, free fiddle workshops begin at 11 a.m. before featured artists perform throughout the day, including Hall of Fame inductee Donald Woodcock. The day concludes with the traditional Fiddlers Jam and campfire at 7. Sara Milonovich is the featured performer on Sunday. The day begins with a Gospel Sing at 10:30 a.m. and features the Fiddlers Green and Award Ceremony at 3. Visit www.nysotfa.com for more details.
Where: 1121 Comins Road, Redfield.
When: Gospel Show at 7 p.m. Friday. Events on Saturday from 11 a.m. to the Fiddler’s Campfire Jam Session at 7 p.m. Sunday starts with a Gospel Hour at 10:30 and performances run through 5 p.m.
How much: $10 for Saturday and Sunday. Donations are requested for Friday Gospel Show.
Saturday
Matchbox Twenty
Matchbox Twenty’s Slow Dream Tour hit the St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview on Saturday night. The band is known for songs like “Push,” “Back 2 Good,” “Real World,” “3AM,” “Bent” and “Unwell.” Special guest Ben Rector opens the 7:30 p.m. concert. Tickets are on sale at Live Nation, starting at $29.50, plus fees.
Where: 490 Restoration Way, Syracuse
When: Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
How much: Tickets start at $29.50 plus fees.
Summer Street Crunch
The Syracuse Crunch’s “Summer Street Crunch” series returns outside the Upstate Medical University Arena. Open to kids ages 5 to 14, hour-long games start at 9 a.m. on Montgomery Street. Helmets, sneakers, and sticks are required. Players must register at syracusecrunch.com/registrations/#!/camp/9. Games continue each Saturday through August 12.
Where: 515 Montgomery Street, Syracuse
When: Saturdays through August 12 at 9 a.m.
How much: $15 per player.
Sunday
– Join the Silverwood Clarinet Choir for their fourth annual free outdoor concert on Sunday evening, “Summer Surprises.” Courtesy of the Silverwood Clarinet ChoirCourtesy of the Silverwood Clarinet Choir
“Summer Surprises”
Join the Silverwood Clarinet Choir for their fourth annual free outdoor concert on Sunday evening, “Summer Surprises.” This diverse concert will include classical, jazz, popular, folk music, original premiere performances and much more. Bring your blanket or chair and feel free to bring refreshments/drinks. Registration is free by email [email protected], website www.silverwoodclarinet.com and on Facebook to receive updates. The rain location is at Christ Church at 407 East Seneca Street in Manlius.
Where: 4111 Pompey Center Road, Manlius
When: Sunday at 6 p.m.
How much: Free but please register.