Festivals and more festivals!

As the weather warms, thoughts turn quickly to festivals! Upstate New York seems to have more than its share of festivals. They run the gamut from small town affairs to large productions that have grown over the years into huge events. Growing up, my grandparents, Dora and Gordon Reed, would take us to many of these festivals. They loved them!

Vintage photo of me & my sister, Joanna, on the cannon at Highland Park during the Lilac Festival, ca 1974

The Lilac Festival reigns supreme to me for many reasons. First and foremost - the FLOWERS! Everything from tulips to azaleas to pansies to rhododendrons to, of course, lilacs. Highland Park was planned by Frederick Law Olmstead. Yes, the same guy who did Central Park in NYC.
Check out this link for more history of the park:
http://www.monroecounty.gov/parks-highland.php

I also love all the other events surrounding the festival. The craft show is fun and the food is diverse enough to be interesting (not as good as Corn Hill though). The Lilac Festival has grown enormously over the years. It has turned into a signature event for Rochester which, to quote someone else, is a very good thing!

My grandparents, Dora & Gordon Reed at the Lilac Festival in 1984

A modern view of the festival and park (Google images)

Another favorite is the Sauerkraut Festival in Phelps. Yes, Sauerkraut! Traveling from Canandaigua to Geneva on Rtes 5 & 20 is one of the few places I've ever seen cabbage stands - it's a big deal here.
http://www.phelpsny.com/sauerkraut-festival/

This festival is much more small town in feel which I like. Plus, where else can I get my fix of sauerkraut cake? Don't laugh, it's delicious. Seriously. A car show, parade, lots of good food. I'm all set!

Phelps Sauerkraut Festival food (mpnnow.com)

Back to Rochester for 2 more great art/craft festivals: Corn Hill and Park Ave. These festivals encompass 2 great Rochester neighborhoods. Corn Hill has many stunning homes that have been preserved alongside newer construction and development. My uncle Gordy lived there in the 60's when attending RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) before they moved the campus to Henrietta. He said back then it was a VERY bad neighborhood. Thankfully many of the homes were saved and not lost to urban renewal and the highway. Now it's a funky, historic area with a ton of charm. This festival draws huge crowds for a good reason - the food and music are phenomenal! Plus the quality of vendors is very good.

http://cornhillartsfestival.com/

 Formal entrance to Corn Hill neighborhood (Google images)

Quiet area of festival - come early and find a spot! (democratandchronicle.com)

The Park Ave Fest also draws large crowds. The Park Ave area is a very popular neighborhood to live in. Add lots of unique, trendy shops and you've got a great hub for a festival. 

http://www.rochesterevents.com/festivals-events/park-ave-fest

This is a popular one!

Now this is just the tiniest tip of the iceberg! Those of us who looove festivals, know New York state has hundreds! In fact, I just found this great link:

http://newyorkstatefestivals.com/

I'll be posting more as I think of them now and then. Let me know about yours! And be sure to let the guys at the above link know too!

Enjoy the fresh air!

Maybe an introduction?

Well I've never attempted a blog before, so bear with me. Having jumped right in on my first post, I thought I would backtrack and give a super brief history of me - because I can I guess!

I was born in Canandaigua, so right from the get go I was in love with the Finger Lakes. We won't say the year. Oh shoot, who cares? I turned 50 last year, which seems totally impossible. School was nearby, first Newark, then Red Jacket, then on to Alfred University. Besides an excellent education, I joined Alpha Kappa Omicron (a local, private sorority) which has enabled me to meet many wonderful women over the years in my role as president of the alumni association.

AKO Awards Presentation, Alfred University - 2011

After a failed first marriage, I met the love of my life, Mike, and we've been married now for almost 13 years. What I didn't realize at the time was that he would drag me all over the country to live! Within the space of 7 years, we have lived in New York, Vermont, Louisiana, Minnesota and most recently Rhode Island! Whew!

The two of us on a trip to Bar Harbor - 2009

So currently we live in RI with our 2 cats, Wasabi and Pasha. We love to camp and travel whenever possible, both locally and further afield.

Wasabi relaxing on the deck

Pasha playing in the snow

Sunset at Fisherman's Memorial State Park, Narragansett, RI

Camping at Fisherman's in our Jayco

A blog and a scenic route?

When I visited home recently, I traveled to my alma mater, Alfred University. Getting there was half the fun as I avoided I-390 and took Route 21 for most of the way. Rte. 21 travels through past some lovely scenery, and yes, some not so lovely areas.

Now I have to tell you that traveling on back roads was instilled in me from an early age by my mother who has always loved taking the "scenic route". Going to Eastview Mall from Shortsville was never as quick as jumping on the Thruway. Oh heavens no! We almost always took Route 96 through Victor. Why? I guess there was just more to see for my mom. And nowadays, whenever possible, I enjoy taking the scenic route too (drives my sister crazy - she's more the get there as fast as you can type).

What does this have to do with starting a blog? Well...driving in some spectacular fog winding down Rte. 21 towards Naples, I thought about how many people associate New York with "the city" and have no idea about the beauty and charm of my New York.

So I thought I would  start something and see where it took me. I'm developing my love of photography and hope to share that with you. Also, point out hidden spots that many people might not know about and have heard of. And sometimes this might just be a ode to a place that I miss. Very Much.

I hope to hear from you! I also hope that I find some of YOUR favorite spots in our neck of the woods.
Enjoy, relax and sip some fantastic Finger Lakes wine - I'll be back soon!


And now for the photos:
First, some scenes from a few wineries. The white building is Miles Wine Cellars and the one with the barrels is Knapp (I think!). The bottle tree was outside Glenora.
http://www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com/


The next 2 photos were taken at Highland Park in Rochester during the Lilac Festival.
This is a must-see for anyone! Don't miss the beautiful greenhouse and the walk through the azaleas and rhododendrons.

http://www.rochesterevents.com/festivals-events/lilac-festival

The last four were taken at Canandaigua Lake - Kershaw Park. Also in view is the Canandaigua Lady, a tour boat.
http://canandaiguachamber.com/


Ahhhh...someone please pass me a glass of wine!