Finger Lakes Blog

Since 2021 we've been celebrating Juneteenth in the Finger Lakes and this year was filled with incredible moments. From music performances and poetry to art and dance the Juneteenth celebration in Elmira, New York was a celebration of culture. The annual event is organized by the Elmira Economic Opportunity Program and was held on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Ernie Davis Park.

Although it's been celebrated for years in African American communities, Juneteenth is a new federal holiday

The Finger Lakes region represents a beautiful place that many visitors enjoy year-round. As our communities grow, welcoming people from around the country and the world who have decided to call Finger Lakes Wine Country home has helped us to become even more representative of who we are as a region. This is especially noticeable in how we continue to expand the spaces and places that embrace the LGBTQ+ community. At only a 5-hour average drive from many major cities (NYC, Boston, Philadelphia,

Looking for local produce and unique handmade items? Farmer's markets can be found throughout the region almost every day of the week, and it's hard to take a drive through our countrysides without passing a few fresh farmstands.

Spring in the Finger Lakes is one of the seasons most underrated by travelers looking for an escape. But this spring, the region is abuzz with exciting events for wine lovers and fun family-friendly activities! Here are some of the Spring Happenings in Finger Lakes Wine Country that you should add to your social calendar.

Chemung Restaurant Week

When: Friday, March 24, 2023 - Sunday, April 2, 2023

Time: Varies by restaurant.

Where: Participating restaurants in Chemung County. See list here.

Courtesy of Wikipedia

John W. Jones is an essential part of Elmira’s abolitionist history and the definition of Black Excellence. As an agent on the Underground Railroad, he assisted over 800 freedom seekers make their way to freedom. As a sexton, he buried Confederate soldiers during the Civil War and treated each one with the utmost respect. His determination and work ethic made him the wealthiest black man in upstate New York.

I hadn’t heard of John Jones before I visited Elmira, New York