9 things to do in Canandaigua area this week

Mike Murphy, MPNnow
·4 min read

If you love local history, you have a choice of talks that will spark your interest in the past.

If you love trees and flowers, learn more about both this week. And if you want to know who is helping whom in the community, there's an event coming up that will help you discover what local organizations are out there −and those that may be looking for your help.

And speaking of help, the American Red Cross could use some.

Here's what's happening this week.

1. Early Bristol farm families and barns

This photo shows an early Bristol sheep farm.
This photo shows an early Bristol sheep farm.

When a team of SUNY Geneseo students worked on an archaeological dig last summer at one of the Bristol Hills’ first farms established by white settlers, they found more than just the remnants of early pioneer life buried in a corn field. Their work kindled a quest to learn more about how the founding farming families of the town of Bristol formed a thriving community carved from what had been wilderness until the late 1700s. Learn more at this free Bristol Hills Historical Society program will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, April 24, in United Church of Bristol’s “Center on the Hill,” 7177 County Road 2, Bloomfield. As a bonus, one researcher will tell how she mapped the locations of the oldest surviving barns in the area.

2. Shaker Seed talk in Geneva

Denise Richter, who is a past president of the Early American Industries Association, will speak on the Shaker Seed business in Shaker settlements near Albany and nearby Massachusetts during a talk sponsored by the Antiques Club of the Finger Lakes. The event will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at the Geneva History Museum, 543 S. Main St., Geneva.

3. American Red Cross blood drive in Geneva

A blood drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, April 28, in Conference Room A/B located on the basement level of Geneva General Hospital, 196 North St., Geneva. To schedule an appointment, contact Alicia at alicia.ensworth@flhealth.org or visit redcrossblood.org and enter keyword GENEVAHOSPITAL. You can also call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

4. Arbor Day in Canandaigua

In this photo from an Arbor Day celebration last year, artist Wayne Williams created the Seneca Family Statue, which can be found at the corner of state Routes 5 and 20 and South Main Street in Canandaigua.
In this photo from an Arbor Day celebration last year, artist Wayne Williams created the Seneca Family Statue, which can be found at the corner of state Routes 5 and 20 and South Main Street in Canandaigua.

The City of Canandaigua will host an Arbor Day ceremony at 1 p.m. April 28 on the City Pier. A honey locust tree will be planted. All are welcome.

5. Plant life in the Bristol Hills

The red trillium is a lovely sight during spring wildflower season in the Bristol Hills.
The red trillium is a lovely sight during spring wildflower season in the Bristol Hills.

Bruce Gilman, author of the book “Ontario County Flora" and professor emeritus at Finger Lakes Community College’s Department of Environmental Conservation and Horticulture, will give a talk, “After the Ice Age: The Return of Plant Life to the Bristol Hills.” The Bristol Hills Historical Society program will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 29, at the Bristol Springs Grange Hall.

6. Pursapalooza redux in Canandaigua

You may remember Pursapalooza, a popular purse and jewelry sale back in November that raises money for Wood Library in Canandaigua. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 29 at the library, 134 N. Main St., Canandaigua, the Pursapalooza Popup Sale will be held. For details and to register for this or other Wood Library programs, visit woodlibrary.org or call 585-394-1381.

7. Gap Mangione & The New Big Band in Canandaigua

The Rochester jazz musician will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 29 at Fort Hill Performing Arts Center, 20 Fort Hill Ave., Canandaigua. Tickets can be purchased online at forthillpac.com or by calling the box office at 585-412-6043.

8. Student art exhibit

Main Street Arts in Clifton Springs will play host to a student art show opening reception from 3 to 6 p.m. April 29. The exhibition includes artwork by juniors and seniors from participating school districts in Ontario County including Geneva, Marcus Whitman, Midlakes, and Victor. The exhibition continues through June 7.

9. Community Resources Fair in Canandaigua

Local nonprofit organizations take centerstage at this fair, which will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 30, at Wood Library, 134 N. Main St., Canandaigua. This event is open to all. For details and to register for this or other Wood Library programs, visit woodlibrary.org or call 585-394-1381.

If you want to see your event included in an upcoming "Things to Do This Week" column, email Mike Murphy at mmurphy@messengerpostmedia.com.

This article originally appeared on MPNnow: 9 things to do in Canandaigua, Finger Lakes area this week