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Fairs & Festivals in the Finger Lakes

Sports

Curling on the Canal

When: last Sunday in February, 1-3 p.m.

Where: Port of Palmyra marina, Palmyra, NY 14522

Contact: 585-235-8246

Weather permitting (cold enough for ice), this annual event celebrates the sport and art of curling. The ice must be frozen on the Erie Canal, so dress warmly. If you'd like to participate, you should wear rubber-soled boots. Equipment and instruction provided by the Friends of the Rochester Curling Club.

Keuka Lake Triathlon & Duathlon

When: first Sunday in June

Where: Keuka College Campus, Keuka Park, NY 14478

Contact: 716-662-9379

USA Triathlon sanctioned event. There are four adult courses to choose from--the short triathlon, the intermediate triathlon, the aquabike, and the duathlon--all involving a swim in Keuka Lake. There is also a children's event.

Balloon Fest

Where: Jamesville Beach Park, 4110 West Shore Manor, Jamesville NY 13078

Contact: 315-435-5252

Balloon rides, food, live music, antique cars and trucks, jugglers, magicians, and a variety of other activities and demonstrations. The beach is open for swimming. Free parking.

Musselman Triathlon

When: second Saturday and Sunday in July

Where: Geneva, NY 14456

The Musselman Triathlon attracts 1,700 participant from all over the world to a sold-out event. The half-iron triathlon and the aquabike events both include a dip in Seneca Lake, the Finger Lakes' deepest and coldest lake. Event includes the popular Musselfest!

Finger Lakes International Dragon Boat Festival

When: Saturday in mid-July

Where: Ithaca Boat Center, 435 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca, NY 14850

Annual event sponsored by the Ithaca Asian American Association, the main feature of which is a series of races of the beautiful dragon boats with their crews of 22. Food, crafts, performers, and the "dragon trail," a series of restaurants in Ithaca that participate in the festivities.

10 Ugly Men Festival

When: late July

Where: Genesee Valley Park, Elmwood Ave. at Moore Rd., Rochester, NY 14608

Kickball, dodgeball, volleyball, and bocce tournaments, 5K race. Food, beer, wine, live music, kids' games and activities. Proceeds go to charity.

Cayuga Lake Triathlon

When: first Sunday in August

Where: Taughannock Falls State Park, 2221 Taughnnock Rd. (Rt. 89), Trumansburg, NY 14886

Contact: 607-342-2170

USA Triathlon sanctioned event. Begin the race with a swim in Cayuga Lake, the largest of the Finger Lakes, then bike along scenic rolling hills, and finish with a run near the lake shore in the shaded and magnificent gorge trail to the park’s namesake, Taughannock Falls, the highest waterfall in the Northeast.

Capt. Myles Keogh Paddle, Wheel & Run

When: second Sunday in August

Where: Emerson Park, Auburn, NY 13021

Contact: 315-252-7139

A variety of courses, including kids', most of which involve some use of Owasco Lake, a relatively small (and usually fairly warm), and definitely scenic, lake.

New York State Festival of Balloons

When: 3 days over Labor Day weekend (beginning of September)

Where: Dansville, NY 14437

Hot air balloon rides, live music, food, crafts. Camping on site.

Grand Prix Festival of Watkins Glen

When: 1st Friday in September after Labor Day

Where: various venues

Contact: 607-535-3003

Race re-enactments, 500 classic sports cars, meet racing legends, wine and food courts, live entertainment.

Macedon Center Community Lumberjack Festival

When: 2nd weekend in September

Where: Macedon Center Firemen's Field, Canandaigua Rd., Macedon Center, NY 14502

Contact: 315-986-3732

Lumberjack breakfast, amateur lumberjack competition, greased pole climb, arts and crafts, food.

Highlander Cycle Tour

When: 2nd weekend in September

Where: Bristol Mountain, 5662 State Route 64, Canandiagua, NY 14424

Centered around the western shore of Canandaigua Lake, the Highlander is considered one of the most beautiful and difficult tours in the country.

Finger Lakes Triathlon

When: third Sunday in September

Where: Kershaw Park, 205 Lakeshore Dr., Canandaigua, NY 14424

Contact: 585-922-5700

Swim (in Canandaigua Lake), bike, and run for the benefit of the Mary M. Gooley Hemophilia Center.

Empire State Marathon

When: 3rd Sunday in October

Where: Onondaga Lake Park (in Syracuse, Liverpool and Baldwinsville, NY)

Contact: 315-403-8268

A autumn marathon and half-marathon event beginning and ending at beautiful Onondaga Lake Park. Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Pull the Plug Regatta

When: Last Saturday before the Erie Canal is drained in November.

Where: On the Erie Canal, Pittsford, NY 14534

Contact: 585-381-9560

A 4110-meter/2.2-mile race with crews in various categories on the Erie Canal to celebrate the end of the canal season. The entire race can be viewed from the canal towpath. Food tent. Sponsored by the Pittsford Crew. 

Updated 27 March 2012