Whether your idea of summer fun is boating, antiquing, shopping at sidewalk sales, fine dining, or music under the stars, you’ll find it all in Skaneateles—a picturesque, historic lakeside village in the eastern Finger Lakes region of upstate New York.
 
“Skaneateles” (Skan-ee-atlas) is an Iroquois word meaning “long lake” – and Skaneateles Lake, covering an expanse of 16 miles, is one of the cleanest lakes in the country. In its downtown district, Skaneateles features shops, boutiques, galleries and restaurants in restored buildings that date back to 1796.
 
“And if the lake and historical charm aren’t enough, there’s always something to do, particularly in the summer,” says Susan Dove, executive director of the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce. “You won’t find a friendlier community anywhere.”
 
Throughout the season, visitors can enjoy a local farmers market (Thursdays, 3:30-6:30 p.m. at the Skaneateles Community Center), community band concerts (Fridays, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in July and 7 p.m. in August, in Clift Park), U.S. Mailboat cruises (Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-1:15 p.m.) and dinner cruises (daily, 6-9 p.m.), sailboat races (alternate Sundays, 1 p.m.), polo games (Sundays at 3 p.m. at the polo grounds on Andrews Road), First Friday arts-themed events (6-9 p.m. on the first Friday of each month at Skaneateles Artisans), live musical entertainment at the Sherwood Inn and Creekside Books & Coffee, and tours of The Creamery Museum (Thursday-Saturday, 1-4 p.m.) and the John D. Barrow Art Gallery (Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.).
 
Additionally, a variety of special events draw visitors from around the region and around the world:
 
Hank Bryant Scholastic Jazzfest, presented by jazz students from Skaneateles High School. June 7, noon-6:30 p.m. at the Gazebo in Clift Park. Free.
 
5th Annual Strawberry Festival, a fund-raiser to benefit the Stella Maris Retreat & Renewal Center. June 7, noon-4 p.m. at Stella Maris, 130 E. Genesee St.
 
Rotary Annual Pancake Breakfast. June 21, 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Austin Park Pavilion.
 
Lighting of the flares around Skaneateles Lake. July 3, at dusk.
 
Skaneateles Library Book Sale. July 9-11. Thursday, 6 -9 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 49 E. Genesee St.
 
50th Annual Antique and Craft Show, sponsored by the Skaneateles United Methodist Church. July 10 and 11. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Austin Park Pavilion.
 
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, annual gala sponsored by the Skaneateles Area Arts Council. July 12 on the lawn at Stella Maris.
 
Curbstone Festival & Sidewalk Sales. July 16-18. Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., in downtown Skaneateles.
 
Syracuse Symphony Summer Concert. July 22, 7 p.m. at the Austin Park Pavilion. Free.
 
Antique and Classic Boat Show, featuring some 80 antique and classic boats displayed on land and water, a boat parade, musical entertainment and children’s activities. July 24-26 in Clift Park. Free.
 
Rhythm, Blues & BBQ festival, on the west lawn of the Sherwood Inn. July 26, starting at 3 p.m. Free.
 
Anything Goes!, performed by the Skaneateles Summer Theatre. July 30-Aug. 1. Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m., Saturday, 2 p.m., at Skaneateles High School.
 
Skaneateles Festival, 30th anniversary season, featuring a solo recital by guitarist Eliot Fisk and a weeklong celebration of music from New York. Aug. 12-Sept. 5. Thursdays and Fridays, 8 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church; Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. at Brook Farm. For more information, go to http://www.skanfest.org.
 
Concert Lakeside, sponsored by the Skaneateles Area Arts Council. Aug. 26 in Clift Park.
 
Skaneateles Race Weekend, featuring triathlon events, open water swims, time trial and road races. Sept. 5 and 6. For more information, go to http://www.skanraces.com.
 
Volunteer Fire Department Annual Field Days. Sept. 5 and 6 at the Austin Park Pavilion.
 
Labor Day Parade. Sept. 6, 4 p.m. in downtown Skaneateles.
 
Skaneateles visitor accommodations include inns, bed-and-breakfasts, motels and cottages.
 
For more information on Skaneateles events and attractions, go to http://www.skaneateles.com .
Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce
315-685-0552                                                            sdove@skaneateles.com
http://www.skaneateles.com

 
Saturday, November 29, 2008
 
2:00 PM Performance of Thanksgiving play by the children participating in Auburn Public Theater’s fall acting classes.  Tickets available at the door.  Call Auburn Public Theater at (315) 253-6669 for more info.
 
3:30 -
5:30 PM
 Horse-drawn wagon rides Downtown – FREE
Ornament making for kids – FREE
Cayuga County Sheriff’s Department Child ID Program – FREE
Homemade cookies from Girl Scouts Troop 1125 – FREE
Musical entertainment – FREE
Hot chocolate from the Cayuga County Red Cross
Food vending from Swaby’s
Raffle of Christmas items
“Toys for Tots” drop off box sponsored by the UPS Store

 
4:00 PM Performance of Thanksgiving play by the children participating in Auburn Public Theater’s fall acting classes.  Tickets available at the door.  Call Auburn Public Theater at (315) 253-6669 for more info.
 
6:00 PM Parade through Downtown – FREE
Chili samples at Daut’s Restaurant on 10 East Genesee Street – FREE
Community bonfire controlled by Auburn Fire Department – FREE
Music from Auburn Civic Band – FREE
 
Approx.
6:45 PM
 Parade ends
Best float competition winners announced
Tree lighting ceremony – FREE
Visits with Santa Claus – FREE
Sing-a-long music with Bob Lyna – FREE
Reva Rollerdrome characters handing out coupons – FREE
 
 
 

Thanksgiving plays held at Auburn Public Theater, whose entrance is located on Exchange Street mall.
Other pre-parade activities all take place at Genesee Mall (located on the corner of Genesee and South Streets in Downtown Auburn ) or in the immediately adjacent Exchange Street mall area.
Parade begins on the corner of East Genesee and Fulton Streets.  It comes down Genesee Street through Downtown and turns left at William Street .  It then turns past the parking garage and ends at City Hall.
The Civic Band will play near the finish line for the parade.  This is also where the bonfire and tree lighting ceremony will be held.
Visits with Santa Claus and the Bob Lyna sing-a-long will also take place at the Genesee Mall.