Family Fun This Weekend

YIKES! Only two more weekends until it's Back To School. That's right! Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to school they go. Don't let these fun opportunities to soak up the last bits of summer pass you by.

Story Time & Animal Friends

Friday, August 24 at 11 a.m.

1. Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY - come for the story, stay for the farm animal fun!

2. Wickham Farms, 1821 Fairport Nine Mile Line Road, Penfield, NY - story time, sandbox, farm animals, and playground are free; jumping pillow, batting cages, and mini golf fees apply.

3-D Technology Expo
Friday, August 24 - Sunday, August 26, 12 - 4 p.m.
Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY
Have fun exploring your creative side and learn about the latest 3-D imaging technologies. Use their new 3-D printer!

New York State Fair

Fri., Aug. 24 - Mon., Sept. 3 from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. (gates open at 8 a.m.; midway open until midnight)

New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Boulevard, Syracuse, NY

Food, rides, games, arts & crafts, antique tractors, entertainment, stunt shows, petting zoo, daily parade, Kiddieland (rides & games), Kids Celebration (interactive entertainment), music, butterfly garden, cheese & butter sculptures, and so much more! It's all at the Fair. Be sure to check the schedule before your visit.

Kids Day at the Buffalo Bills
Saturday, August 25 - Kids activities at 3:30 p.m.; game at 7 p.m.
Ralph Wilson Stadium, 1 Bills Drive, Orchard Park, NY
The Kids Day Game will feature youth-themed tailgating, an exclusive game-day giveaway, interactive games, face painting, Buffalo Jills Cheerleaders, Billy Buffalo, stage performances, and post-game fireworks. Tickets are $15 for ages 14 and under; $43 family section for ages 15+. See web site for parking information.

Fairport Music and Food Festival
Saturday, August 25 from 12 - 10 p.m.
Main Street & Lift Bridge Lane, Fairport, NY
Three stages of live music, tons of food, children's activities, crafts and more.  Tickets are $15; children 12 and under are free; proceeds benefit the Golisano Children's Hospital.

Trolley Rides

Sunday, August 26 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

New York Museum of Transportation, 6393 East Henrietta Road, West Henrietta, NY

Purchase your tickets, then explore the train cars, antique cars, fire truck, and the model trains in the museum. At your departure time, board the trolley and enjoy the 1-mile ride to the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum. Explore the second museum before boarding for a ride back to the Museum of Transportation.


Whatever adventure this weekend holds for you and your family, I hope it's a great and memorable one. Enjoy! And as always, thanks for reading.

Family Fun This Weekend

It's beginning to look a lot like back to school, but there's still time to squeeze the last drops out of summer! Ignore the school supplies in stores. Pin the school orientation flyer to your bulletin board and forget it for now. Pin the "out of the box" lunch ideas to your Pinterest board and focus on the fresh corn and watermelon that you want to eat right now. Get out to some fairs and festivals this weekend and enjoy the gorgeous weather...and the fact that it's still summer.

Story Time & Animal Friends

Friday, August 17 at 11 a.m.

1. Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY - come for the story, stay for the farm animal fun!

2. Wickham Farms, 1821 Fairport Nine Mile Line Road, Penfield, NY - story time, sandbox, farm animals, and playground are free; jumping pillow, batting cages, and mini golf fees apply.

Wayne County Fair 
Friday, August 17 - Saturday, August 18, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Wayne County Fairgrounds, 250 W. Jackson Street, Palmyra, NY
Free daily activities include horse wagon rides (parking lot), model train exhibit (Commercial Building), Home Arts Department exhibits, Wayne County Sheriff Operation Safe Child (child IDs), Hot Dog Pig Racing, and animal, flower, fruit, and vegetable exhibits. Check the schedule for other fun activities and entertainment. Tickets are $3-5; kids 5 and under are free.

Maze Preview Weekend
Friday, August 17 - Sunday, August 19 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Long Acre Farms, 1342 Eddy Road, Macedon, NY
Get a sneak peek at their corn maze before the grand opening on September 8th, and for every ticket purchased this weekend, receive a return pass for the fall. Barnbuster Tickets for the Maze & Back 40 are $10.50 for ages 5+ and $6.50 for ages 2-4. August 19 is also Sweet Corn Festival; free roasted sweet corn from 12 - 5 p.m.

Old-Time Fiddlers' Fair
Saturday, August 18 - Sunday, August 19, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Genesee Country Village & Museum, 1410 Flint Hill Road, Mumford, NY
This fair features continuous music with performances from more than 100 musicians on four stages. Enjoy the regular exhibits in this 19th Century country village as well. Regular admission rates apply; children 3 and under are free; free parking.

Renaissance Festival
Saturday, August 18 and Sunday, August 19; 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
15385 Farden Road, Sterling, NY
Huzzah! This is the final weekend for food, entertainment, games, rides, and more in Merry Olde England (passports and time machine not required). Tickets required; children 5 and under are free. Parking is free; additional fees for rides and games ($1-3 each), as well as purchase of food and beverages.

3-D Technology Expo
Saturday, August 18 - Sunday, August 26, 12 - 4 p.m.
Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY
Have fun exploring your creative side and learn about the latest 3-D imaging technologies. Use their new 3-D printer!

Diesel Day

Sunday, August 19 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

New York Museum of Transportation, 6393 East Henrietta Road, West Henrietta, NY

Featuring six operating diesels. Purchase your tickets, then explore the train cars, antique cars, fire truck, and the model trains in the museum. At your departure time, board the trolley and enjoy the 1-mile ride to the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum. Explore the second museum before boarding for a ride back to the Museum of Transportation.


Enjoy your weekend, everyone! As always, thanks for reading.

Family Fun This Weekend

Whether your kids like animals, pirates, knights, music and art, Little House on the Prairie, or trains, there is something for everyone this weekend.

Story Time & Animal Friends

Friday, August 10 at 11 a.m.

1. Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY - come for the story, stay for the farm animal fun!

2. Wickham Farms, 1821 Fairport Nine Mile Line Road, Penfield, NY - story time, sandbox, farm animals, and playground are free; jumping pillow, batting cages, and mini golf fees apply.

Zoe's Birthday Party
Friday, August 10 from 5 - 8:30 p.m.
Long Acre Farms, 1342 Eddy Road, Macedon, NY
Zoe, the Chocolate Lab, is turning 5 and she wants you and your leashed dog(s) to come celebrate at her birthday party. No gifts please; instead make a donation to the Wayne County Humane Society. The party will feature extended Tasting Room hours until 8:30 p.m. with Waggin' Tail Red specials, release of 3 new wines, music from 6 - 8:30 p.m., free doggie cone with any ice cream shop purchase, free balloon for the kids, and the Mini Back 40 (jumping pillow, spider web, giant sandbox, mini maze, and climbing wall) is open until dark for $3 per person.

Palmyra Pirate Weekend
Friday, August 10 at dusk and Saturday, August 11 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Palmyra Village Hall, 144 East Main Street, Palmyra, NY
Friday at dusk there will be free music and movie in Palmyra Village Park: The Goonies (PG). Saturday will feature a window painting contest on Main Street, canal boat tours, food, music, crafters, museum tours & pirate tales with Bloody Mary at Pirate's Cove, and the Pirate Kazoo Band & Pillage 'N the Village Bed Race Regatta (11 a.m., starting line near Village Park). Admission is free.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Days
Saturday, August 11 and Sunday, August 12, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Genesee Country Village & Museum, 1410 Flint Hill Road, Mumford, NY
Celebrate the pioneer days and learn about Laura's ties to Western NY. See a Victorian Ladies' Fashion Show, create a corn husk doll ($1), knead bread, churn butter, run sack races, and learn about the activities that a young Laura would have experienced. Two actresses from Little House on the Prairie will be signing autographs ; tickets myst be purchased in advance and include autographs from both actresses ($5 for autographs on an item purchased at the museum, $10 for autographs on an item brought from home). Regular admission rates apply.

Brockport Arts Festival
Saturday, August 11 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday, August 12 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Main Street, Brockport, NY
Kids activities include Happy the Clown, the Balloon Lady, Tae Kwon Do demonstration, toy top demonstration, music, jugglers, and a Pole-Bee demo (a crazy frisbee game). There will be a bake sale, wine garden, vintage car cruise-in, radio-controlled boat demo, sidewalk chalk art, farmers' market, duck derby, beard contest, and book signing with local authors. Check the web site for schedule, directions, and more.


Renaissance Festival
Saturdays and Sundays, now through August 19, 2012; 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
15385 Farden Road, Sterling, NY
Huzzah! Food, entertainment, games, rides, and more await in Merry Olde England (passports and time machine not required). Tickets required; children 5 and under are free. Parking is free; additional fees for rides and games ($1-3 each), as well as purchase of food and beverages.

Trolley Rides

Sunday, August 11 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

New York Museum of Transportation, 6393 East Henrietta Road, West Henrietta, NY

Purchase your tickets, then explore the train cars, antique cars, fire truck, and the model trains in the museum. At your departure time, board the trolley and enjoy the 1-mile ride to the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum. Explore the second museum before boarding for a ride back to the Museum of Transportation.


Enjoy your weekend, everyone! As always, thanks for reading.