The Beat

Cazenovia, N.Y. - Farmstead 1868, recently named the 2025 Madison County Small Business of the Year, will host its 2nd Cazenovia Lavender Festival on Saturday and Sunday, July 5–6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its scenic farm property located at 4690 Shephards Rd. in Cazenovia.

Community Invited to Witness ‘Raising’ of Truss on June 24, 2025

Cooperstown, N.Y. – Fenimore Art Museum is proud to present a remarkable cultural and educational installation: a full-scale replica of Truss No. 6 from the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. The ceremonial ‘raising’ of the truss will take place on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 24, 2025, and the truss will remain on public view on the museum’s back lawn overlooking Otsego Lake through September 8, 2025.

Norwich, N.Y. – The Chenango County Historical Society (CCHS) will host its annual Summer Barn Party from 6-8:30 p.m. on June 26 at 43 Rexford St. An evening of fun, food, and friends to benefit the museum, this year’s celebration is inspired by the newest Community Gallery exhibit: “Creativity in Bloom: The Storied Illustrations of Suzanne Bloom.” Live Event NY returns as the event’s Premium Sponsor, with festivities specially designed to reflect the evening’s theme.

Utica, N.Y. (June 12, 2025) – Oneida County Tourism (OCT) is proud to announce the release of its 2025 Destination Guide. A key resource for visitors and a go-to reference for locals, the guide showcases the very best Oneida County has to offer. Created in partnership with Sentinel Media, the annual guide features special events, Erie Canal Bicentennial highlights, a seasonal bucket list, family-friendly attractions, agritourism activities, and more.

Norwich, N.Y. – Welcome summer with a free family outing! The inaugural “Summer Barn Picnic” at the Chenango County Historical Society (CCHS) will be held from 12:30-2:30 p.m. on June 15 at 43 Rexford St., Norwich. Generously sponsored by Sidney Federal Credit Union (SFCU), this brand-new Path Through History program offers fun for all ages.

Free admission for military personnel and their families from May 17 until September 1

Howes Cave, NY – 5/13/25 – The Iroquois Museum is pleased to participate in Blue Star Museums, a program that provides free admission to currently serving U.S. military personnel and their families during the summer. The 2025 program will begin on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 17, 2025, and end on Labor Day, Monday, September 1, 2025. Learn more and find the list of participating museums at arts.gov/BlueStarMuseums.

Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.

Utica, N.Y. – Join Karen Foresti Hempson, a retired teacher and former college lecturer in social studies, for a presentation on her book, Shellback, inspired by real-life stories from Utica residents who lived through the Great Depression and World War II. This program takes place at the Oneida County History Center on Saturday, May 17, at 2:00 p.m. All ages are invited.

The popular NY beer festival rides to town this August with a Wild West theme

Cooperstown, N.Y. (May 7, 2025) – Brewery Ommegang is saddling up for another unforgettable year of Belgium Comes to Cooperstown (BCTC), returning August 22–24, 2025. After a celebrated comeback in 2024, this year’s festival rides in with a bold new theme — Wild West — and a promise of even bigger brews, wilder entertainment and unexpected twists across the brewery’s picturesque Cooperstown grounds.

Utica, N.Y. -  Oneida County History Center is bringing back its popular sip & paint for Mother’s Day weekend. Participants will paint a vintage Utica Bike with a colorful basket of flowers. Tickets are $45 for non-members and $35 for History Center members and include all art materials, one beverage ticket, and light snacks. Pre-registration is required. Join us for an afternoon of a bit of painting, a little sipping, and a lot of fun!…

Howes Cave, NY— The Iroquois Museum has been notified that the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has terminated a previously awarded federal grant, citing that the project “no longer serves the interest of the United States.” The grant was part of a Save America’s Treasures collection award totaling $269,038, administered by the Greater Hudson Heritage Network (GHHN), with matching nonfederal funds bringing the total project cost to $538,398.