News from Roses Hill

Each year,  on the first of April, beer enthusiasts from all over the country hover over their computer screens waiting for tickets to go on sale for this incredibly popular event.  It is not unusual for VIP tickets to sell out within a few minutes, and general admission tickets are typically sold out before the end of the day.  VIP tickets include a special multi-course dinner with creative food and beer pairings featuring Ommegang beers.

Belgium Comes to Cooperstown, or BCTC, is “the largest beer fest in the country dedicated exclusively to Belgian beers and Belgian-style beers brewed in North America” Syracuse.com.  The event is hosted by Brewery Ommegang, a Cooperstown brewer of belgian-style ales, and is set to take place this coming weekend on August 8 and 9.  The brewery is closed to the public during the event which will have a Las Vegas, “Sin City” theme this year.  Along with live music, there will be an Iron Throne replica on site to celebrate and promote the newest in the brewery’s Game of Throne limited series of beers, the latest of which is called “Fire and Blood” – a beer spiced with de-seeded Ancho chilies. 

With over 50 brewers from around the world showcasing their belgian-style beers, the event records over 2,500 attendees each year.  Keep an eye out next Spring for ticket sales for the 2015 event.  If you are an enthusiast – it’s one not to miss!  Book early to come for the week and stay with us at Fieldstone Farm Resort.  

Many of our guests stay with us for week-long stays which makes our kitchen-equipped units all the more practical, especially if you are feeding a large group.  This gives our guests the opportunity to enjoy our farm-fresh produce and locally produced products almost literally from farm-to-table.

The Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, located just behind Main Street (walk up the driveway east of the Key Bank building) is open weekly (rain or shine) on Saturdays from 9am-2pm Labor Day through December, and on Tuesday afternoons from 12pm to 5pm during the months of July and August.   The selection at the market is wonderful, offering seasonal fruits and vegetables to all cuts of local meats and fresh poultry. There is also a bounty of local eggs, cheese, yogurt, honey and maple syrup, home-baked sweets and treats, flowers and greenery, as well as hand-dyed yarns, handmade crafts, herb-al lotions, and lots more.

Here are some additional sources for finding locally produced edibles and products:

EatWild (Scroll down to the Leatherstocking Region for more suggestions on this page)

Thisiscooperstown.com

One of the area highlights each summer are the Glimmerglass Festival performances – “blending world-class opera with a relaxed, casual atmosphere and a beautiful lakeside setting in the heart of Central New York”.

The main productions this summer include:

• Puccini’s Madame Butterfly  – July 11 through August 23
• Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel – July 12 through August 22
• Strauss’s Ariadne in Naxos – July 19 through August 23
• Tobias Picker’s An American Tragedy  – July 20 through August 24

Click here (or on the image below) for details on each of the above mainstage productions.

In addition to mainstage productions, the Glimmerglass Festival offers a number of special events with guest artists and speakers, a special ‘Behind the Scenes’ series of events, and other community events and offerings. One of our favorite events each year is the “Meet Me at the Pavilion” series.  These early evening (5pm) events include special performances from guest artists and members of the Young Artists Program.  For a $50  All Access Pass, you can attend as many of these performances as you like.  Details can be found here.

For those who plan ahead, you can find information about performances for the 2015 lineup here!  Plan your trip early and stay with us at Fieldstone Farm Resort.

If you are looking for things to do in Cooperstown during your stay at Fieldstone Farm Resort, we recommend taking a tour on the Cooperstown Beverage Trail.  This growing list of establishments features product tastings and tours along with one-of-a-kind specialty shops for your unique keepsakes and items to take home.  You can even hire a driver for the day to transport you safely (in your vehicle) to each stop throughout your tour.

“Cooperstown has a centuries-old history of fine drink, going back well before baseball became America’s pastime. Once the hops-growing capital of North America, it now boasts breweries, wineries, and an historic cider mill, each one making world-class beverages for all to enjoy.”

Established in 2004, the Cooperstown Beverage Trail included Bear Pond Winery, Cooperstown Brewing Company, Brewery Ommegang and the Fly Creek Cider Mill. In 2012, two additional beverage makers joined the Trail: Butternuts Beer & Ale and Rustic Ridge Winery. In 2014, the Cooperstown Distillery opened it’s doors – although not yet an official part of the Beverage Trail, we’re sure they will be adding into the program soon!  More than 20,000 visitors per year explore the Cooperstown Beverage Trail, New York State’s first official cuisine trail.

Find complete details about the Trail here: http://www.cooperstownbeveragetrail.com/

Get your Free Beverage Trail glass at any beverage trail location when you provide your coupon stamped from each of the 6 participating establishments.  (Coupon on the last page of the 2014 issue of Quench, the official Cooperstown Beverage Trail publication.)

Fieldstone Farm Resort is a perfect location for your Cooperstown area vacation.  We are centrally located and easily accessible to many great attractions within a short drive.  Here are just a few of our favorites!  Visit the links below to learn more about each attraction.

Erie Canal Cruises

Join Erie Canal Cruises on one of the Lil’ Diamond vessels for a fun and historically fascinating cruise, back to a time when the canal was just a vision and the barges were pulled by mules and horses. Travel thru a hundred year old lock, relax and enjoy – you’ll be glad you did!

Herkimer Diamond Mines

Herkimer Diamonds are beautiful double-terminated quartz crystals found in Herkimer, New York.  Spend the day mining!  Go prepared with safety eye wear, gloves and closed toe shoes. You may also bring any additional equipment such as chisels, screens, small shovels, buckets, and other hammers (up to a 12 lb sledge). They recommend dressing for the weather and bringing sunscreen.

The Arkell Museum at Canajoharie

The Arkell Museum at Canajoharie and the Canajoharie Library promote and celebrate the understanding and enjoyment of the arts and humanities in Canajoharie, the Mohawk Valley, and beyond. The Arkell Museum collects, preserves, researches and presents American Art and Mohawk Valley History, and promotes active participation in art and history related activities, to enhance knowledge, appreciation and personal exploration by all.

Howe Caverns

Howe Caverns is the largest show cave (those open to the public) in the Northeast.  In addition, the new Howe High Adventure Park includes a four tower Zip Line, Sky Trail Ropes Course, a 26 ft climbing wall and air jumper (seasonal, May-Oct).  A new 6000 sq ft Gemstone Mining building is open year-round gemstone panning for semi-precious minerals. Adjacent to the Gemstone mining building, is a 250 seat three-season Pavilion that may be reserved for events.

The Farmers’ Museum

Cultivating an understanding of the rural heritage that has shaped our land, communities and American culture. The Farmers’ Museum opened its doors to the public in 1944. At that time, the museum had 5,000 tools and objects, including important collections amassed by the Otsego County Historical Society; William B. Sprague, founder of the Early American Industries Association; and the Wyckoff family, one of Brooklyn’s oldest farming families. Today the museum’s collections number more than 23,000 artifacts.

Northeast Classic Car Museum

Over 160 classic and vintage vehicles are on display in 5 connected, climate-controlled buildings at the Northeast Classic Car Museum.  Exhibits include the Fabulous Franklins, Cars Made in New York State, the Post-War collection and more.  Visitors are also treated to original videos, WWI & WWII aircraft engines, period fashions, and much more.

These are just a few of the opportunities in our area – there are many more that we are happy to share with you during your stay!  Call us today to reserve rooms for your vacation.