It is shaping up to be a great summer weekend around the lake. There is live theater running all three days, two nights of music at a farm venue, a country headliner at CMAC, a Saturday morning market, a community cleanup you can lend a hand at, and an easygoing acoustic set to close things out on Sunday. Whether you want to be in the middle of a crowd or pitch in on something local, here is what is happening around Canandaigua from tonight through Sunday.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Friday, July 10 through Sunday, July 12 | Fort Hill Performing Arts Center
Showtimes: Friday at 7 PM, Saturday at 2 PM and 7 PM, and Sunday at 12 noon.
Forte Studios brings this Tony Award-winning musical comedy to the Fort Hill stage for a run that spans the whole weekend. It follows six quirky kids spelling their hearts out for a shot at the championship, and it is as heartfelt as it is funny. Expect unforgettable characters and a bit of audience participation. With four showtimes to choose from, it is easy to fit into whatever day works best for you.
More info and tickets: Fort Hill Performing Arts Center
Dogs In A Pile at Lincoln Hill Farms
Friday, July 10 | Doors 5 PM, music at 6 PM | Lincoln Hill Farms, 3792 NY-247, Canandaigua
The music side of the weekend kicks off with a jam band that has built a loyal following on the road. Dogs In A Pile brings their improvisational, genre-hopping sound to the farm for a Friday night show that runs into the evening. Lincoln Hill Farms is a general admission, standing-room venue with the Silo Bar pouring local drinks, so come ready to be on your feet. On-site parking is ten dollars per vehicle for this one, payable by cash or Venmo when you arrive.
More info and tickets: Lincoln Hill Farms
Community Clean Up at Motion Junction
Saturday, July 11 | 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM | Motion Junction Playground, 2640 Outhouse Rd., Canandaigua
Start your Saturday by giving back. Inclusion in Motion is inviting the community to help wipe down equipment and tidy up the areas around Motion Junction playground. There is something for everyone to pitch in on, and you do not have to stay the whole time. It is a friendly, low-key way to do some community service, and the organizers are happy to validate service hours if you need them.
More info: Facebook Event Page
Canandaigua Farmers Market
Saturday, July 11 | 9 AM to 12 PM | Mill Street Pavilion, Eastern Boulevard and Mill Street
Keep your Saturday going the local way. As Ontario County’s only farmer-run market, this one brings together around thirty vendors selling fruits, vegetables, flowers, meats, eggs, baked goods, honey, jams, and more, all grown or made right here in the region. Vendors are only allowed to sell what they produce, so everything on the tables is genuinely local. It is an easy, family-friendly stop before the day heats up.
More info: Canandaigua Farmers Market
Bluegrass Festival at Lincoln Hill Farms
Saturday, July 11 | 6 PM to 11 PM | Lincoln Hill Farms, 3792 NY-247, Canandaigua
If country at CMAC is not your speed, the farm has a bluegrass night that is every bit as stacked. The Lincoln Hill Farms Bluegrass Festival features the legendary Sam Bush Band alongside Yonder Mountain String Band, with The Fretliners rounding out the lineup. Expect fiddles, banjos, and driving harmonies under the open sky on a beautiful stretch of Finger Lakes countryside. Same standing-room setup as Friday, so plan accordingly.
More info and tickets: Lincoln Hill Farms
Dierks Bentley: Off The Map Tour at CMAC
Saturday, July 11 | Doors 5:30 PM, show at 7 PM | Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC)
The biggest ticket of the weekend lands at CMAC. Country artist Dierks Bentley, known for songs like “Drunk on a Plane” and “Somewhere on a Beach,” brings his Off The Map Tour to Canandaigua with a strong supporting bill of Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder plus Kaitlin Butts. Seating ranges from covered reserved spots to lawn tickets, and the venue is cashless with a clear bag policy. Traffic around CMAC on show nights can back up quickly, so give yourself extra time and plan to arrive early.
More info and tickets: CMAC
Lakeside Drifters at Twisted Rail Brewing
Sunday, July 12 | 2 PM to 5 PM | Twisted Rail Brewing, 169 Lakeshore Dr., Canandaigua
Close out the weekend with a laid-back afternoon set right on the water. The Lakeside Drifters bring an array of original acoustic and traditional Americana tunes to Twisted Rail Brewing, making for an easy Sunday of good music, local craft beer, and lake views from the deck. It is a relaxed way to wind down before the week starts back up.
More info: Facebook Event Page
Before You Head Out
There is a lot to pack into these three days, and plenty of it happens outdoors. Even for the events that are not right on the water, the lake conditions tool here on Canandaigua Current is a quick way to see what the weather is doing around town before you head out. It gives you an at-a-glance read on conditions on and around the lake, from whether it is a good day for a swim or a boat ride to how comfortable it will feel outside, so you can plan your weekend and show up ready for anything. Have a great one out there, Canandaigua.