One thing is for sure during the summer in Canandaigua, Victor, West Bloomfield and the rest of the Finger Lakes.
Variety, especially when it comes to the activities available to residents and visitors, is the spice of active life in these parts. A program about antique clocks, an early Halloween jump at the Wood Library, an evening of classical music from the 70s and 80s at CMAC, an exotic animal program and a corn festival are just a few of the offerings.
This is what’s happening this week.
1. National Night Out, but in Geneva
The Canandaigua Police Department will join law enforcement partners and first responders across Ontario County for the event, which will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6 at the Geneva Recreation Complex, 666 S. Exchange St., Geneva. National Night Out is designed to enhance relationships between neighbors and law enforcement while creating a sense of community. There will be free food for attendees 15 and under, a dunking booth, dog demonstration, police bike rodeo, and representatives from local agencies and vendors.
2. Turn Back the Clock in West Bloomfield
The West Bloomfield Historical Society will host a program on antique clocks at 7 p.m. on August 6 at the Historical Society, 8966 state Routes 5 and 20, West Bloomfield. Dave Richardson, curator of the Hoffman Clock Museum in Newark, will share highlights from one of New York State’s finest collections of clocks and discuss antique clocks in general. The Hoffman Clock Museum at the Newark Public Library features a display of more than 500 timepieces, including examples by New York clockmakers such as Abner Jones, Jared Arnold, Lawyer Byington, Aaron Crane and Asa Munger, as well as early wood and brass clocks. Find information about the event and the Society itself at wbhsny.org and on Facebook at West Bloomfield Historical Society New York.
3. Celebrate ‘Summerween’ in Canandaigua
Wood Library is hosting several Summerween activities from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 7, to get a taste of the real Halloween holiday. Movies, costume contests, trick or treating and other programs and activities are planned throughout the day at the library, 134 N. Main St., Canandaigua. For more information and to register for this or other Wood Library programs, visit woodlibrary.org or call 585-394-1381.
4. Matt Herrmann Concert at Canandaigua Lake
Matt Herrmann will perform as part of the Live @ Five Concert Series from 5 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 7 at Kershaw Park, 155 Lakeshore Drive, Canandaigua. Herrmann will perform in the free concert series, which will be held on Wednesdays throughout the summer at the park’s pavilion. The event is sponsored by the Lakeshore Hospitality District, which includes Nolan’s on the Lake, COHO Pizza and Wine Bar, New York Kitchen, The Lake House on Canandaigua, Hotel Canandaigua and JP’s Tap Room. Bring blanket chairs, food and drinks.
5. Find a Healthcare Job in Canandaigua
UR Medicine Thompson Health will host a career fair from 2 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8, in the Constellation Center for Health and Healing at Thompson Hospital, 350 Parrish St., Canandaigua. Visitors should enter campus via West Street and park in the parking lot behind the hospital for best access to the Constellation Center. Visit www.ThompsonHealth.com/Careers for more information about open positions and benefits, as well as a link to apply.
6. Enjoy ‘The Gin Game’ in Naples
Catch an early showing of Bristol Valley Theater’s “The Gin Game” at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 8 at Bristol Valley Theater, 151 S. Main St., Naples. The grand opening is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9. D. L. Coburn’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play is a poignant comedy about aging in America. Residents of the Weller and Fonsia nursing home regularly gather to play gin rummy on the house’s back porch. For more information about BVT, now in its 60th season, visit bvtnaples.org, call 585-374-6318 or email bvt@bvtnaples.org.
7. See the animal superheroes in Canandaigua
Wildlife Rockstars brings its animal superheroes to First United Methodist Church, 100 N. Main St., Canandaigua, from 11 a.m. to noon on Aug. 9. Learn about the animal ambassadors’ survival skills and what enables them to thrive in their communities at this Wood Library program. For more information and to register for this or other Wood Library programs, visit woodlibrary.org or call 585-394-1381.
8. Time for memories at CMAC
The Little River Band and several celebrity special guests will perform August 9 at the Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center, 3355 Marvin Sands Drive. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and performances begin at 7 p.m. Little River Band is known for classics from the 70s and 80s, including “Reminiscing,” “Lonesome Loser,” “Lady” and others. Special guests include Firefall, John Ford Coley and the Robbie Davis Band. For more information and ticket information, visit https://www.cmacevents.com/event/littleriverband/.
9. Enjoy an old-fashioned time in Avon
The Avon Rotary Club’s Avon Corn Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 10. The 36th annual festival on Genesee Street will feature a free concert by The Skycoasters. More than 150 arts and crafts vendors will be on hand, along with ongoing live entertainment, a variety of food vendors, a kids’ zone, and corn-eating and cornhole contests. The beer garden will feature New York craft beers. Parking and admission are free. For more information, visit www.Avoncornfest.com.
10. Learn about archaeology in Naples
Family Archaeology and History Day is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Cumming Nature Center at the Rochester Museum and Science Center, 6472 Gulick Road, Naples. Visitors will have access to a working archaeological dig in an abandoned 19th-century farmhouse. Through blacksmithing demonstrations and old-fashioned games, visitors will learn about life in Frost Town. For tickets and more information, visit https://rmsc.org/events/familyarchaeologyhistoryday/.
11. Party in Victor
The Victor Music and Food Festival will be held from 4pm to 10pm on August 10th at Mead Square in the village of Victor. Five bands will perform on three stages during this free event, which will include food, drinks and a fireworks display to end the day.
If you have an event you would like to see listed in the ‘Things to Do’ column, please email Mike Murphy at mmurphy@messengerpostmedia.com.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other Ontario County communities and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Things to Do in the Finger Lakes: Events, Concerts and More
