Most people think of Cazenovia as a summertime destination but there are so many things to be enjoyed here during the winter months.
We are very excited for the upcoming Cazenovia Winter Fest from February 8-11. The full list of events is available at www.cazenovia.com/winter but here are a few highlights we are really looking forward to.
Thursday, February 8th:
Starting on Thursday, February 8th, we are kicking things off at St. James Church from 6:00pm - 6:45pm for a FREE community yoga event open to all. For more details, visit www.cazenovia.com/events-1/free-community-yoga and RSVP by texting Thea at (518) 429-0146.
Afterwards drop by Madison County Distillery at 7pm for a laugh out loud Galentine's screening of the movie "Bridesmaids" and some amazing tacos. For more details, visit www.madisoncountydistillery.com
Finish out the night by stopping into one of the essential watering-holes in the village. Locals love McCarthy's Irish Pub, The Lincklaen House / Seven Stone Steps, and The Brae Loch Inn - to name a few!
Friday, February 9th:
Good morning! Rise and shine with a breakfast sandwich and a baked good for the road from The Toast of Cazenovia. They have an incredible mix of savory and sweet options to start your morning right.
With all that energy, get some searching under your belt for the Winter Fest Medallion. Clues are announced each day at 8am on Caz Life social media, and just think of how many toast macrons that $250 prize could buy!?
We suggest popping into the library sometime from 10AM - 6PM for the Cazenovia Public Library Book Sale. They have an incredible inventory of great reads. For more details, visit www.cazenoviapubliclibrary.org
Then off to see the sites. Ice sculptures that is! Visit Memorial Park, Lorenzo State Historic Site, Meier’s Creek Brewing Co., Madison County Distillery & Stone Quarry Hill Art Park to see them all!
Lunch at Dave's Diner is a must! Located in the center of town, do yourself a favor and check out the downtown shops first to work up an appetite. Great local crafts can be found at Cazenovia Artisans and By Kelly that can be found on either side of the diner. We recommend the Angry Rooster chicken sandwich. It's spicy and amazing and a local fan-favorite for sure!
To work off that amazing sandwich, we have two options!
Meier's Creek Brewing is offering curling in the afternoon at 12 noon and 2pm. Reservations are required and the whole event is weather dependent, so be sure to check www.cazenovia.com for open times. Bonus: great beers brewed on-site. Be sure to grab a draft in house and a 4-pack to bring home!
Stop into the Burton Street ice rink from 3-5pm for community open skate. Be sure to BYO ice skates for a great time! This event is weather dependent as well so stay tuned to Caz Life on social media for all updates on this event. For more details, visit www.facebook.com/events/753350802968889/753350809635555
Grab a little dinner at The Brewster Inn of course! We open at 5PM, and seat until 8PM. We may be a little biased, but the atmosphere is cozy and the food is incredible. If you are a wine lover you have to check out our wine list. Over 16,000 bottles in cellar - we are bound to find the perfect one for you! For the full menu, visit www.thebrewsterinn.com and for reservations visit www.resy.com.
After dinner stop into our neighbors Meier's Creek Brewing Co, just down the road. They are opening up their cellar to host a bourbon bar there! Fire pits will be blazing all day and all night -- a great way to close out the evening! This event runs 6PM-9PM. For more details, visit www.meierscreekbrewing.com
Saturday, February 10th:
Start off your morning with a matcha latte from Pewter Spoon Cafe on Albany Street. The perfect place to wake-up slowly (after your bourbon bar adventures of the previous night) - and soak in the beauty of downtown Cazenovia. Great music, great food, great coffee and tea of course!
Then it is essential that you swing by the American Legion on Chenango Street for Post 88's famous pancake breakfast (7AM-12PM) Don't quote us on the famous part -- but the food is pretty dang phenomenal! For more details, visit www.facebook.com/events/1774225773041323
If we are blessed enough to have some snow. The High School Snow Sculpture Competition will be taking place at Memorial Park from 9AM-12PM. The theme is yet to be announced, but the kids always come up with some incredible designs. Check out this throwback photo of the efforts from 1985... incredible!
From 1-3PM, and then again from 7-9PM, Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides by Lamplit & Nutz in Training Farm sponsored by the New York State Draft Horse Club will be taking place at Lorenzo State Historic Site. If we have no snow, the wagon will be used, and if snow is plentiful we will be gliding along on the classic wooden sleigh that is so beautiful Santa Clause himself would be jealous! For more details, visit www.facebook.com/events/283099821452343/283099824785676
By the time you leave, the Cazenovia Cocoa Crawl (12PM-4PM) will be in full swing at the downtown shops. Each of the participating shops will be serving up complimentary samples of cocoa for all! At least while supplies last! Be sure to pop into Cazenovia Artisans, 20 I East and Jasmine Rae to name a few of our favorite spots! For more details, visit www.facebook.com/events/924733895690037
Also - H.Grey will be hosting a Winter (Pride) Fest Market at their location, and we are sure that is something you won't want to miss! While you are there stop in at the barista bar for a coffee or unicorn soda (our favorite!). For more details visit www.hgreysupplyco.com or https://facebook.com/events/s/winter-pride-fest-market/1485608958651663/
And be sure to pop over to the Cazenovia Public Library for Ice Sculpture Demos by The Ice Farm at 3-4PM! See how its all done! Remember the book sale is going on 10AM-4PM today as well, if you missed it yesterday.
Are you tired yet? The British Blacksmith will be crafting Hot Flip Drinks over at Madison County Distillery from 3PM-5PM. Not sure what a hot flip drink is? Check it out on Facebook and be sure to get yours on at this event! For more details, visit https://www.facebook.com/reel/1563554894465067
Sunday, February 11th:
The Super Bowl will be kicking off tonight, but there is still daylight to burn! Get some fun under your belt in the morning to finish your weekend right!
Today will be the last day to find the Caz Life Medallion so stay vigilant! For clues, visit www.facebook.com/CazenoviaNYLife and once you find the medallion, call Caz Life and send a photo in to claim your $250 prize.
Greet the day with Yoga in the Cellar at Meier's Creek Brewing Co. starting at 10:30AM. Tickets are $20 per person and you can pre-register by visiting https://momence.com/Erin-Vollmer/Yoga-%40-Meier's-Creek/99349909
Then we feast! Meier's Creek is hosting a Winter Fest Send Off Brunch from 11AM-4PM, or if you prefer something a little lighter, do yourself a favor and stop into Cazenovia Bagel Co. Local's love the Critz Farm breakfast sandwich or the Al-wich, but all in all, so many great options to go around.
Community Skating kicks off at The Burton Street Ice Rink from 12PM-4PM, so make sure you grab those skates and join us for one last spin on the ice.
Or if snowshoeing more your speed, check out Cazenovia Preservation Foundation “Snowshoe Sunday” at Meier's Creek Brewing Co. For more details, visit www.cazpreservation.org/events
We hope you enjoy Winter Fest Weekend in Cazenovia! We think this town is one of the greatest small towns ever -- and we are so delighted to share all the fun with you!