Syracuse University football fans will finally get to see their team play inside the renovated Carrier Dome this Saturday when the 1-0 Orange take on Rutgers at 2 p.m.
Also this weekend, you can check out the 43rd Annual Golden Harvest Festival at Beaver Lake Nature Center, downtown Syracuse’s Irish Festival, and the annual Tomatofest in Auburn.
Many towns and villages will be holding ceremonies for the 20th anniversary of September 11. See our complete list here.
Know of an event you would like to see on this list? Email us at features@syracuse.com.
SU hosts Rutgers
The 2021 home opener for the Syracuse University football team at the Carrier Dome will be the first time that fans of the Orange can cheer and tailgate together since November 2019. The game against Rutgers will also give them a chance to get a first look at all the renovations and upgrades at the “Loud House.” Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Visit cuse.com/sports/football for more information and to purchase tickets.
Where: Carrier Dome, Syracuse
When: Saturday, 2 p.m.
How much: Tickets start at $28
Golden Harvest Festival
Beaver Lake Nature Center will be hosting its 43rd Annual Golden Harvest Festival on Saturday and Sunday. “This old-fashioned, country fair-style” promises something for everyone. Nature activities, horse-drawn hayrides, canoeing, fresh doughnuts, animal demonstrations, games, and shopping. Masks are required for indoor activities. Visit www.onondagacountyparks.com/parks/beaver-lake-nature-center/golden-harvest-festival/ for schedule of events.
Where: 8477 East Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville
When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How much: $5 for adults, $1 for youths from 6-17, Free for children 5 and under. Cash-only at ticket booths.
Central New York’s Tomatofest
Come to Auburn on Saturday for its annual Tomatofest, a day of music, vendors, food, and supporting local food pantries. Family activities include the MaxMan reptile rescue, slime-making, candle-making, veggie art, and more. A concert featuring Joe Whiting and Mark Doyle starts at 7 p.m. and costs $25, with proceeds going to Cayuga County food pantries. Visit cnytomatofest.org for more information, schedules, and to order concert tickets.
Where: Downtown Auburn
When: Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
How much: Free. Concert is $25
Syracuse Irish Festival
Syracuse’s annual Irish Festival returns to Clinton Square this Friday and Saturday after a year away. It will bring together traditional Celtic bands together, beer and whiskey, food, and merchandise stands. Enter the Haggis, The Public House, The Causeway Giants, The Moxie Strings, and The House of Hamill are some of the bands which will be performing. Visit syracuseirishfestival.com for more information and schedules.
Where: Clinton Square, Syracuse
When: Friday, 5-10 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
How much: Free to attend
“Almost Heaven: The Songs of John Denver”
The songs of John Denver come alive at Auburn’s Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in September. Running from today through the 29th, this nostalgic and beautiful tribute from The Rev Theatre Co. tells the story of Denver’s rise during the 1960′s folk scene, music superstardom in the ‘70s, and his career in the ‘80s and ‘90s. The performance will feature some his greatest songs including “Annie’s Song,” “Country Roads,” and “Rocky Mountain High.” Proof of vaccination or negative COVID test is required for entering. Visit therevtheatre.com/2021-season/almost-heaven/ for schedules and more.
Where: Emerson Park, Route 38A, Auburn
When: Wednesday and Thursday, from 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday 2 and 8 p.m. Performances run through Sept. 29.
How much: Adult tickets cost $64, seniors $61, anyone 22 and under $34
Epic Fest
Epic Fest is a two-day event which celebrates art and music taking place Saturday and Sunday at Sharkey’s Event Center in Liverpool. It features national touring bands YYNOT and PAKT, Epic Tantrum as well as the iconic photography from Mark Weiss and cover art of the legendary Ioannis from DangerousAge. The event benefits the Cutie Foundation. Go to Epic-Fest.com for more details.
Where: 7240 Oswego Road, Liverpool
When: Doors open both nights at 5 p.m.
How much: $20 for single night tickets. $30 for two-night passes. $50 VIP passes are available.
9/11 Memorial Event at OCC
Onondaga Community College will host a brief 9/11 Memorial Ceremony outside the Whitney Applied Technology Center on Saturday ay 10 a.m. There will be some remarks from guest speakers and music. A memorial wreath will be placed at the site, and a single rose in the Gordon Student Center lobby at the Alumni Faces panel of OCC Alum Wendy Faulkner who tragically lost her life in the terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center.
Where: 4585 West Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse
When: Saturday, 10 a.m.
How much: Free
Rise Above Poverty Undercover Drive
Rise Above Poverty will host their third annual Undercover Drive on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. This drive-thru event is contact-free. Just drive up to their tents at 600 West Genesee Street in Syracuse and volunteers will grab your donations from the truck of your car. Needed items are girls’ and boys’ underwear (youth sizes 4-16, teen sizes XS-XL). Your donations will help the organization “Help us, help others.” For more info contact Julie Tantalo at (315) 391-5327 or julie.tantalo@riseabovepovertysyr.org
Where: 600 West Genesee Street, Syracuse
When: Saturday, noon to 3 p.m.
How much: Free
57th Annual Madison County Craft Festival
Madison County Historical Society will host its 57th Annual Madison County Craft Festival this weekend in Oneida. Browse through a selection of contemporary arts and crafts, ranging from functional to decorative works including fabric, glass, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, metal, glass, floral, drawings, paintings, jewelry photography, soap, skin-care products, leather, and wood. This is an outdoor craft show, featuring juried artisans, artisans of edible treats, food trucks, live music, and NYS wineries. For more information about the event please visit our website- www.mchs1900.org. Admission for adults is $5, weekend passes are available for $8. Cash only at the gate.
Where: 435 Main Street, Oneida
When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
How much: $5 for adults. Children 12 and under are free. $8 weekend passes are available.
Chittenango 9/11 ceremony
The village of Chittenango will be hosting a September 11 ceremony of remembrance and reflection on Saturday at Stickles Park in Chittenango, starting at 8:30 a.m. There will be a short program with music, reflection, candle lighting in memory of the 20th anniversary. Social distancing will be observed. In the event of rain, we will move to the Chittenango Fire Station.
Where: Stickles Park, Chittenango
When: Saturday, 8:30 a.m.
How much: Free
“Shatter” Art Exhibition
Check out the artwork of Erin Davies and Vanessa Vair at a free reception for their new exhibition “Shatter” at the Epicuse Tasting Room. The new exhibition explores “photographic imagery inspired by nature, broken mirrors, and antique windows. Madeline Finn will perform live music. The reception is on Saturday from 4-8 p.m. The event is free. Please register by emailing vjvair@gmail.com.
Where: 334 South Salina Street, Syracuse
When: Saturday, 4-8 p.m.
How much: Free
September Folksmarch
For this month’s Folksmarch, the group of walkers is heading north, up into the Thousand Islands region on Saturday and Sunday. Robert G. Wehle State Park, near Henderson, has 1,100 acres of grounds and 17,000 feet of shoreline along Lake Ontario. Walk as much as you would like from 8-11 a.m. on Saturday and 9-11 a.m. on Sunday. Register at the pavilion under with Folksmarch banner.
Where: 5182 N School House Road, Henderson
When: Saturday, from 8-11 a.m. and Sunday, from 9-11 a.m.
How much: $4 for adults, $1 for youths 6-18. Children 5 and under are free. Families are $9 max.
Virtual Film Club: “Gold Diggers of 1933”
Hamilton’s Arts at the Palace will be presenting three free film discussions this fall. The first is “Gold-Diggers of 1933,” a pre-code Hollywood classic which follows four young aspiring actresses as they put together a spectacular stage-show. Watch the film on Amazon Prime then join film professional Juliette Fahey for a “rich, informal discussion” on Friday at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Free and open to all. Please register at artsatthepalace.org/events/virtual-film-club/.
Where: Zoom film discussion
When: Friday, 7-8 p.m.
How much: Free but donations are welcome
Trash-2-Treasure Yard Sale
Fulton’s J.W. Pratt House Museum will be hosting its 7th Annual “Trash-2-Treasure” Yard Sale on Friday. Happening rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on its front lawn, the show will plenty of donated items to browse through. Come and take a look and then tour the museum.
Where: 177 South First Street, Fulton
When: Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
How much: Free to attend
Drive-Thru Chicken BBQ
Faith Journey United Methodist Church of Clay will be holding a drive-thru chicken barbecue on Saturday starting at 11 a.m. A full chicken dinner, including a half-a-chicken, salt potatoes, baked beans, and a roll, costs $9. You can purchase just a half-a-chicken for $6.50. Contact Sara Mertz at (315) 652-9186 or fjoffice@fjumc.org for more information.
Where: 8396 Morgan Road, Clay
When: Saturday, from 11 a.m.
How much: $9 for dinners. $6.50 for a half chicken.
Book Sale
Friends of NOPL Brewerton annual fundraising book sale is on Friday and Saturday. Browse through a “huge selection” of hardcover and paperback adult and children’s books. Admission is free and there will be a $5 bag sale on Saturday.
Where: 5440 Bennett Street, Brewerton
When: Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
How much: Free to attend