What To Do As The Summer Ends?

As summer comes to an ending, it is time to start thinking about what to do during our nice fall weekends. One option could be visiting the Fly Creek Cider Mill. It is open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM until December 16th.
Click here to visit their website: www.flycreekcidermill.com.

The Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard
288 Goose Street

Fly Creek, NY 13337
1-800-505-6455

If you cannot go to the Cider Mill it self, you can still get the fall feeling of their products. The Fly Creek Cider Mill is proud to announce the opening of a brand new online store. Now all the delicious Fly Creek Cider Mill products will be available year round to be shipped right to your doorstep!
To visit the online store, please click here: http://www.cpostores.com/flycreekcidermill/.

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For State Fair Happenings - WE HAVE YOU COVERED

NEWSChannel 2 has developed a section of Close 2 Home dedicated to keeping you informed on all State Fair Events. This is the 161st Great New York State Fair and you can find THE COMPLETE SCHEDULE HERE.

Admission to the Fair is $10 at any gate. Children 12 and under are admitted free every day of the Fair. Seniors 60 and over are admitted free on Monday and Tuesday, August 27 and 28. Students 16 and under are admitted free on Friday, August 31. Parking costs $5 each day.

BE SURE TO SUBMIT YOUR PICTURES OF THE FAIR TO OUR PHOTO GALLERY.

Busy, Busy Weekend

Just a reminder....another weekend with a tough choice of events.

The king of all central NY antique shows, the Madison Bouckville Antiques Show is Saturday and Sunday from 9 to 5. More Info

For outdoor men and women, the Woodsmen's Field Days is Saturday & Sunday at the Oneida County Fairgrounds in Boonville from 8 to 5. There's an open lumberjack contest for the adventurous.

Guess Where? Week Three Winner

This week's picture is just one of many area tributes to veterans. Jeffrey Madden of New Hartford correctly identified our mystery picture as the Veterans Park at American Legion Post #1113 on Main Street in Whitesboro. All you other observant viewers get another try though. Check out this week's picture and give it a guess again at close2home@wktv.com. Good luck.

Herkimer County Fair To Begin Today

The well-known Herkimer County Fair begins today in Frankfort and runs through August 19. NEWSChannel 2 will broadcast the Live and Five Newshour and NEWSChannel 2 at 6:00 LIVE from the fairgrounds on Wednesday evening.

The fair has a full schedule of events each and every day.
CLICK HERE For The Full Schedule of Events

This year's fair includes Herkimer County Idol, a karaoke contest. There is a demolition derby, nightly entertainment, a hoop shoot and kiddie firematics, as well as rides and lots of food. A couple of interesting features we noticed were and animal costume class and an agricultural scavenger hunt.

Here's few pictures we took along the way. Click here for the Close 2 Home Photo Gallery.
Let us know what you like about the fair and send us some of your pictures.

Guess Where? Week Two Winner

Some area runners literally ran through the right answer this summer, but only one can win. Ken Smith of Utica correctly identified our mystery picture as the Boilermaker Finish Line at Matts Brewery. All you other observant viewers get another try though. Check out this week's picture and give it a guess again at close2home@wktv.com. Good luck.

Music! Music! Music!

Just a reminder that it's Utica Monday Nite! CHECK HERE FOR COMPLETE SCHEDULE

This week also offers another Music on Main Street Concert in Oneonta for your listening pleasure..."Aged in the Hills" ....Tuesday, August 7th at 7:00pm on the front lawn of NBT Bank. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERIES

The Frankfort Summer Concert Series fills the week with the sound of the most popular groups around. All shows are 7pm at the St. Francis property:
Monday 8/6: Nik and the NIce Guys
Wednesday 8/8: Atlas
Thursday 8/9: Classified
Friday 8/10: Joey Thomas Big Band

Can't forget ... Two musical choices at Saranac this week. Saranac Presents "Dropkick Murphy's" on Saturday, August 11 at 7pm at the FX Matt Tour Center Courtyard. TICKET INFO Also, Saranac Thursdays rocks out to Battle of the Bands from 5 to 8. COMPLETE SCHEDULE

NY Canals Make A Splash

One of our contributors, Chris McNicholl, is canoeing in the Adirondacks this week and it made me start thinking WATER. Water in this part of Central New York can often mean Erie Canal.

Coincidentally, this week is the date for ANOTHER Canalfest, this time in Sylvan Beach, on August 11th & 12th. There will be FREE entertainment throughout the weekend, as well as crafters, vendors, entertainment in the village Bandstand and Classic Cars in the Village Park. There's even a Boati Gras with a boat parade on the 11th. MORE INFO

The Little Falls Canal Celebration lasts from August 6th 'til August 12th and the activities are far too numerous to mention here. This is truly a full community affair with sidewalk sales, canoe races, fireworks, kiddie rides, a parade, food fair, picnic, numerous food sales, craft fairs, flea markets, even a commemorative stamp. CHECK HERE FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE.

Festivities on the water don't stop there in upstate New York either. Check a little further and you'll find that the Little Falls Canal Celebration is just one stop in Canal Splash weekend. Canal Splash is a statewide signature event. 2007 Canal Splash will consist of a coordinated series of locally organized events and activities, including nature and history walks, museum and gallery exhibits, rowing regattas, kayak and canoe outings, musical performances, boat tours and more. FULL SCHEDULE HERE

Something To Do On A Rainy Day

If you are looking for something fun to do on either a rainy day or an overly oppressive hot day, THE GOLF SHACK in New Hartford is a great place to go.

This is an indoor miniature golf activity with 18 holes full of fun. The decor is all neon lights and decorations with arcade games to play after you finish golfing. Also, when you are finished there are snacks and candy available.

When I was there, a birthday party was taking place and everyone seemed to be having a great time. It is a unique activity that anybody of any age can enjoy on day where its just not fun to be outside.

Visit their website for more: http://cnygolfshack.com/

Guess Where? Week One Winner

There were several viewers with an eagle eye that guessed last week's picture, but only one can win. Dan Salvo of Whitesboro correctly identified our mystery picture as a cider press at Fly Creek Cider Mill. All you other clever guessers get another try though. Check out this week's picture and give it a guess again at close2home@wktv.com. Good luck.

August Starts With Plenty To Do

The hot, hot weather of this past week is supposed to break just in time for some weekend fun.

The city of Rome takes the spotlight again with the Rome Canalfest August 3, 4 & 5 presented by the Rome Rotary. The festival is family oriented with non-stop music and entertainment, karaoke contests, bread and cookie baking contests, youth bands, a kayak race, a duck race, a classic car exhibition, cotton candy, thrilling rides for children of all ages. FULL SCHEDULE HERE

The Utica Zoo promises great music, great food and great beer at the Brewfest on Saturday starting at 6pm. Beer tasting from 30 microbreweries will keep you busy sampling and don't forget the silent auction (never too early to start that holiday shopping!) I attended the Zoo's Wine in the Wilderness event and had a great time, so I'm sure this will be just as fun. No one under 21 allowed. MORE INFO

Another area highlight is the City of the Hills Festival Saturday, August 4 in Oneonta. City of the Hills is a juried art exhibition and sale, featuring artist demonstrations and workshops, musical performances and an awards ceremony. It all benefits the ARC Otsego. MORE INFO If we've missed an event you want to add, tel us in your comment to this story. Click here for a complete Community Calendar listing.

Send us your pictures from these or any other events to close2home@wktv.com. Check out our Close 2 Home Photo Gallery here. Don't forget to enter our new "Guess Where?"contest for this week too.