Last weekend had a little bit of everything. On Friday, I went to Hoochenanny with a friend, where I saw old friends, met new ones, and enjoyed a solid stretch of ’90s music from Lit, Toadies, and Cracker.
Saturday took me from traditional music to roller derby. At Genesee Country Village & Museum’s Fiddle & Folk Festival, I discovered a new favorite in Richie and Rosie. Later, I headed to The Dome in Henrietta for Roc City Roller Derby.
Sunday was quieter, but just as full. I finished revising Day Trips Around Rochester to replace outdated information and published the audiobook editions. I also went through Michele’s edits to 104 Day Trips Around Rochester, New York, the new microguide coming November 11.
This Saturday, I’m heading to Cake Fest in Highland Park. On Sunday, I’ll be at Rochester VegFest, where my daughter will be handing out SoyBoy samples.
The annual sunflower watch has begun! This year, Hopkins Farm’s field is on Calkins Road, west of Clover Street. The field moves from year to year as part of the farm’s crop rotation, and the timing of full bloom depends on the weather and planting schedule.
As of August 15, they’re about knee-high. Once the flowers begin opening, the entire field can turn yellow within just a few days. I’ll keep you posted here as the field progresses.
Get directions to the 2026 field here →
Fair Haven Beach State Park stretches along Lake Ontario, where a broad sandy swimming beach sits beneath the shoreline bluffs. Check current swimming conditions and lifeguard coverage before leaving home, then consider making time for a walk, picnic, or sunset beside the lake.
Plan your visit to Fair Haven →
At Fillmore Glen State Park, the Gorge Trail follows Dry Creek through a narrow canyon of mossy ledges, stone staircases, and footbridges. Five waterfalls appear along the way, including 56-foot Cow Shed Falls near the park’s stream-fed swimming area. Expect stairs and uneven surfaces, and check current trail and swimming conditions before driving to Moravia.
Follow the trail through Fillmore Glen →
Rochester Public Market
Fri, Aug 21
The Flour City Brewers Fest brings breweries from across New York State together with cideries, wineries, farm distilleries, nonalcoholic beverages, local food, live music, games, and vendors.
The food-and-drink theme continues through the weekend. Barry’s Irish Festival of Rochester pairs Irish music, dancing, and bagpipes with food trucks, Irish brews, and spirit tastings on Friday and Saturday. Saturday’s Cake Fest 2026: Sweet Society turns Highland Park into a dessert picnic with sweets, local vendors, music, and garden-party style. On Sunday, the free Rochester VegFest fills Parcel 5 with plant-based food, cooking demonstrations, speakers, live music, and vendors. For a different kind of outing, Saturday’s Art Walk on the Autism Nature Trail features interactive art stations, artist demonstrations, storytelling, music experiences, and a collaborative community mural at Letchworth State Park.
Music can be a destination in itself. It sends us to a park, village, museum, or venue we might not otherwise visit—and once we arrive, we become part of a temporary community built around listening.
That is one of the things I value about traveling close to home: the distance may be short, but the circle widens. We support the people and places that make these gatherings possible, share an experience with people we may not know, and come home with a stronger connection to the region and to one another.
See you out there,
Debi
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