As we inch toward autumn, there鈥檚 no shortage of fun activities happening downtown and around. First up, always the Friday before Labor Day is the infamous State Street Run pub crawl. Starting at 5 p.m., stops in order include Parker's 129, Shep's Brewing Co., A.T. Walley & Co., Roast & Toast, Moondog's Lounge, Prison City Pub & Brewery, The Refinery Modern Fare, Curley's Restaurant, Harley's Pub, Ancient Order of Hibernians, the S.K. Post, Britches' Dance Bar, Wet Willy's, Belvedere Lounge and Swifty's Tavern. Classic highlights include group photo ops and leapfrogging down Van Anden Street.
Our final Music on the Mall for the season is happening on State Street from 7 to 10 p.m. First Friday, Sept. 6. The Steven Cali Band performs modern/outlaw country at its finest. Steven is a 26-year-old Nashville recording artist who puts on a show not to be missed.
The 39th annual CNY TomatoFest is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, on Genesee Street between Dill/William streets and South Street. As background, TomatoFest started at Emerson Park in 1985, it then moved downtown eight years ago to partner with the Auburn Downtown Business Improvement District and its district businesses. The funds raised support 10 Cayuga County food pantries in Fair Haven, Cato, Port Byron, Cayuga, King Ferry, Moravia and Weedsport, plus the Salvation Army, St. Alphonsus and Calvary food pantries.
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New at TomatoFest this year are local celebrity "arrests" with jail confinement in the Duck Derby ticket booth in the New York State Equal Rights Heritage Center courtyard. Bail-out is met with 100 non-perishable food donations. Stop by and drop off your contributions to help set me free from 11 a.m. to noon. There will also be history vendors in the courtyard, and a bounce house set up in the west lawn space. In another addition, to enhance the goal, Cayuga, Union Springs and Aurora will compete to see which village can collect the most canned goods. As in past years, there鈥檚 a drive-thru food donation station in the city parking garage. The lower level of the garage will also serve as the rain location for the arts and craft vendors.
鈥淢usicFest鈥 is held on three stages, and inside Auburn Public Theater if it rains. Headliner Trump Tight is performing from 6 to 7:15 p.m. on the Genesee Street showmobile stage. Other main stage music includes Perform 4 Purpose from 11 a.m. to noon, The Healers from 1 to 2 p.m. and Weekend at Bernie's from 3 to 4 p.m. On the State Street Plaza stage see Perform 4 Purpose from 11 a.m. to noon, the Luis Molina Band from noon to 1 p.m., Major Keys from 2 to 3 p.m. and Basket Case from 5 to 6 p.m. The Exchange Street stage features Julie Howard at 11 a.m., Genesee Street Voices at 12:30 p.m., Joey Dugan at 1:45 p.m., Luke Mock at 3 p.m. and Bob Lyna and Friends at 4:30 p.m.
Members of Perform 4 Purpose play "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac in front of an audience during CNY TomatoFest in Auburn Saturday.
Family-geared entertainment includes an Absolute Dance performance from noon to 12:45 p.m., the Auburn Vanguard from 12:45 to 1 p.m., Pete鈥檚 Balloons from 1 to 4 p.m., juggling by Nate the Great at 2 and 4 p.m. and the Unity Street Band from 2:45 to 3 p.m. All day, there鈥檚 an interactive display by Maxman Reptile Rescue. There鈥檚 also candle dipping, slime, tomato mask and watershed making, and the popular veggie art contest. Wegmans will offer free cupcakes at noon, and the Tomato Parade is 12:45 to 1 p.m. A.T. Walley is providing outdoor food and beverage vending, plus Barlow鈥檚, Between Your Buns, Leo鈥檚 Donuts and Pete鈥檚 Treats. There鈥檚 a silent auction featuring theater tickets, Mackenzie-Childs pottery and a 50/50 raffle as well.
Free off-site event offerings include an Equal Rights Heritage History Tour led on a 16-seat limo bus from noon to 5 p.m. Hop aboard and learn about the fascinating lives of William Seward, Harriet Tubman, Emily Howland, and Eliza Wright with the Living History Players. Next, learn about the Owasco watershed on a pontoon boat ride with members of OWLA. Weather permitting, there will be two SCAT Van shuttles to and from Emerson Park. All transportation is leaving from Lincoln Street, behind the Genesee Center.
Jesse Kline
TomatoFest programming is made possible with funds administered by Auburn Public Theater's regrant program, with the support of the office of the governor and New York State Legislature. Music is also sponsored by the Cayuga County Office of Tourism鈥檚 Inclusive Excellence Programming Grant. FLX Radio Classic Hits 99.3 and APE Scare & Care are the media sponsors.
Next year, TomatoFest will celebrate its 40th anniversary, which is a significant accomplishment, with all volunteers and no paid staff. We thank Gilda Brower and the TomatoFest board for their year-round work and coordination to help our local families in need.
Other fun downtown community events to attend include A.T. Walley鈥檚 Italian Heritage Festival from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, in the State Street Plaza. In addition to delicious Italian food, highlights include a performance by the Diana Jacobs Band at 1 p.m. Balloons Restaurant's ginormous meatball eating contest is at 2:30 p.m. See the "Uncle Louie Variety Show" at 4:30 p.m., and 8-Traxx performs at 6 p.m.
The downtown Auburn bar known for its wall-to-wall shelves of George Dickel Tennessee Whisky聽is giving its customers another cool view.
As a side note, Walley just christened its double-decker back patio, and it is something to behold. It adds a fun party space adjacent to the plaza, and was built by Ferro Property Services, who did a wonderful job. Big thanks to Bernie Simmons, Nick Musso and staff for their investment and commitment to making downtown a destination.
To keep the ball rolling, Art in the Park is also happening from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 14 in the city鈥檚 beautiful Hoopes Park. This high-end artist, artisan and maker show and festival features over 100 vendors selling unique, hand-crafted items. This is the perfect opportunity to get a jump start on holiday shopping with one-of-a-kind gifts. There are food trucks parked curbside for lunch options and ongoing musical entertainment. This event is extremely well-organized by Sue Waby, owner of Regenerations, the lovely consignment boutique downtown. We thank Sue for the time and effort that she spends to showcase and support our local creatives.
So, kindly come out and enjoy all the fun fall events our downtown and city have to offer.
