Bring-your-own film event takes place 2 to 5 p.m.; event is free and open to the public

Rochester, N.Y. - You are invited to celebrate home movies in Rochester on Saturday, Oct. 17, as part of the seventh annual International Home Movie Day, which takes place simultaneously in cities across the world. The Rochester celebration takes place 2 to 5 p.m. at Visual Studies Workshop, in collaboration with George Eastman House. The event, which is free and open to the public, is a worldwide celebration of home movies and amateur films that provides the opportunity for communities to see and share home movies, and learn how best to care for them. In honor of Rochester’s 175th anniversary, films of the Rochester area are particularly encouraged (note: organizers have their eyes out for footage of Midtown Plaza in its heyday). Read more »

First “HF3 Shorts” Contest Winner to be announced at Filmmaker Celebration Party, Open to the Public

Rochester, N.Y. - The Rochester High Falls International Film Festival has announced the names of the top three finalists in its first-ever online short film contest. The contest, introduced in August, offers cash and movie screenings as prizes for unique digital movies three minutes or shorter in length.

An expert panel of contest judges, led by renowned local film critic Jack Garner, reviewed all 19 short-film submissions and chose the top three (listed here in alphabetical order by title): Read more »

Owego, NY — As a one-day celebration of the pleasures of autumn, the Historic Owego Marketplace is pleased to announce the First Annual Autumn Harvest Festival to be held on Saturday, October 10, from 9:00-4:00 p.m. in downtown Owego. Specifically, the Lake Street area will feature handmade & homemade arts and crafts and vendors offering local products. There will be horse and wagon rides, face painting, bands such as the “Spelunkers” entertaining, and lots of food will be available including free cider and donuts, caramel apples, river rat cheese Read more »

Oswego, NY – Harborfest officials have announced the return of East Park as a venue for Harborfest 2010.

“We had a great deal of reaction from the community and festival goers about the absence of East Park this past year,” said Tom Van Schaack, Executive Director of Harborfest. “East Park allows us to be a more diverse festival from an entertainment and programming standpoint. It was obvious that people missed East Park this past year and we are happy to be able to bring it back.” Read more »

2009 Inductees to Be Named November 5

Rochester, NY - Which of America’s favorite toys will take their honored places in the National Toy Hall of Fame® this year? Can Playing Cards make the cut? Will Nintendo Game Boy® score big? Can Sidewalk Chalk scrape by?

Strong National Museum of Play today announced the twelve final nominees being considered for 2009 induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame® : The Ball, Big Wheel, Cabbage Patch Kids®, Game of Life®, Hot Wheels®, Nintendo Game Boy®, Paper Airplane, Playing Cards, Rubik’s Cube®, Sidewalk Chalk, Toy Tea Set, and Transformers®.

Only two of the twelve finalists will make it into the prestigious hall, joining such toy luminaries as Barbie®, Mr. Potato Head®, and the Atari® 2600 Game System. Read more »

Mayor Jennings Proclaims Italian-American Heritage Days

Albany, N.Y. - Albany celebrates its Italian culture and heritage with its 18th annual Columbus Parade & Italian Festival on Oct. 10. The parade and festival, among the largest of its kind in Upstate New York, begins at 12 p.m. in historic Washington Park. At 1 p.m., the parade will march through the park, beginning at Madison and New Scotland Avenues and proceeding to the Lakehouse. Serving as Honorary Grand Marshals of this year’s parade are the member of the West Albany Italian Benevolent Society (WAIBS). Read more »

$99 Four-Packs of Lift Tickets are available at Belleayre Mountain over Columbus Day Weekend Only

Highmount, NY - Belleayre Mountain is gearing up for its 30th Annual Fall Festival, taking place Columbus Day Weekend, Oct. 10-11. One does not need to be a snowsports enthusiast to enjoy the local arts and crafts vendors, the spectacular fall foliage views from the deck or the Sky Ride, a variety of festival foods and live entertainment. Read more »