Water & Wine Weekly • Penn Yan, New York • June 29-July 5, 2026 • Issue 5
Happy 250 Years America!
As America marks 250 years since the birth of our nation, it's also a time to reflect on the rich history of the Finger Lakes. In 1776, the area we now know as Penn Yan was home to the Seneca Nation. As the newly formed United States expanded westward, this beautiful landscape became a destination for early settlers seeking new opportunities.
In 1788, the Treaty of Purchase transferred much of the land now known as Yates County from the Seneca Nation to Oliver Phelps and Nathaniel Gorham. Soon after, settlers from New England and the Susquehanna Valley arrived, including Jemima Wilkinson, helping shape the community and contributing to the development of Penn Yan. The town of Jerusalem was formed first in 1789 and then Penn Yan was officially first settled in 1799 and incorporated as a village on April 29, 1833. How the name of Penn Yan came to be is a great conversation with local historians and locals, but name is a derived simply from: Pennsylvania and Yankees - paying homage to the where the settlers came from.
The history of this region is fascinating and deep. To celebrate 250 years this weekend be sure to get to the Branchport Parade on Saturday at 2pmfor their spectacular parade along 54A/Main Street section to Guyanoga Road and ending at the main entrance to the Saunders Finger Lakes Museum. Special floats celebrating 250 years will be in route and are not to be missed.
Celebrate the Lake
Spend your Saturday evening on Keuka Lake for one of the region's most beloved summer traditions—a spectacular fireworks display over Branchport. After the grand finale, the celebration continues as lakeside cottagers light their own fireworks and illuminate the shoreline with flares, forming the iconic Ring of Fire. Read more on the Stories Page.
Passport to Wine
This holiday weekend grab the Keuka Lake Wine Trail Tasting Passport. The passport offers pre-paid tastings at the participating wine trail wineries, discounts on wine and partner offers. The flexibly this passport offers is perfect for your 3 day weekend or week long vacation. Many of the participating wineries are offering live music this weekend. Check out the Weekly List of Events to plan your wine passport tour.
Weekly Events List
9am-4pm • Porch Sale • Yates County History Center
11am-4:30pm • Tabora Cookie & Wine Pairings • Tabora Farm & Winery
3pm • Open Doors: Cellar Tour • Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard
5-7pm • Thursday’s Farmer’s Market • Point of the Bluff Vineyards
5-7pm • Family Bowling Night • Brock’s Bowl & Pizzeria
6-9pm • Live Music by River Lynch • The Switz
6-10pm • Hammondsport Fireman’s Carnival • Champlin Beach, Hammondsport
7-9pm • Claudia Hoyser Live at Seneca Tasting Room • Vineyard View Seneca Lake
8am-4:30pm • Farmer’s Market & More • The Windmill Farm & Craft Market
9am-4pm • Porch Sale • Yates County History Center
11am-1:30pm • Food & Wine Experience • Fox Run Vineyards
11am • Winemaking at Wiemer • Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard
11am-4:30pm • Tabora Cookie & Wine Pairings • Tabora Farm & Winery
12-3pm • Live Music by Jon Lamanna • The Switz
4-7pm • Live Music Fridays by Ed & Tina Croft • Weis Vineyards
5-7pm • Music by Shawn Duchsherer • Abandon Brewery
5-8pm • Live Music by Dirt Turtles • The Switz
4-10pm • Hammondsport Fireman’s Carnival • Champlin Beach, Hammondsport
6-8pm • Keuka Live Music Summer Series - Music & Food Truck • Vineyard View Keuka Lake
6-8pm • FLX Trivia • Lyonsmith Brewing Company
6-9pm • Music and Wine Series - The Korks • Keuka Spring Vineyards
7:30-10:30pm • Live Music with Still Kickin • The Showboat
8am-4:30pm • Farmer’s Market & More • The Windmill Farm & Craft Market
9am • Yoga with Jan Corning • Hunt Country Vineyards
10am-3pm • Chicken BBQ • Oak Hill
11am-4:30pm • Tabora Cookie & Wine Pairings • Tabora Farm & Winery
12-3pm • Live Music by Claudia Hoyser • The Switz
1pm-10pm • Hammondsport Fireman’s Carnival • Champlin Beach, Hammondsport
1-4pm • Live Music with The Fog • Point of the Bluff Vineyards
2pm • 4th of July Branchport Parade • Branchport 54A/Main Street to Guyanoga Rd
2pm • July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest • Abandon Brewery
2-5pm • Live Music on The Patio by Tate Williams • Weis Vineyards
3-6pm • Live Music by Public Water Supply • Abandon Brewing
5pm • Concerts at Lincoln Hill Farms - Keller & The Keels • Lincoln Hill Farms
5-8pm • Live Music by Cooper Scotti • Seneca Stag Brewing
5-8pm • Live Music by Meg Williams, Travis Bowlin & Nick Lord • The Switz
6pm • Hammondsport Fireman's Annual Parade • Champlin Beach, Hammondsport
6-9pm • Music and Wine Series - Unparallel Band • Keuka Spring Vineyards
7-8pm • Rock N’ Bowl • Brock’s Bowl & Pizzeria
7:30-10:30pm • Live Music with Night Train • The Showboat
10pm • Branchport Fireworks • Branchport Keuka Park Fire Department
10pm-1am • DJ Laces • The Switz
10:30pm • Hammondsport Fireworks • Champlin Beach, Hammondsport
9:30am • Sunday Morning Yoga • Abandon Brewing
11am • Boozy Coffee Flights • Crooked Leyk Distillin
11am-3pm • Sunday Brunch • Castle Grisch
11am-4:30pm • Tabora Cookie & Wine Pairings • Tabora Farm & Winer
Noon-4pm • Bloody Mary Sundays • Krooked Tusker Distillery
1-4pm • Music and Wine Series - The Neighbors • Keuka Spring Vineyards
2-4pm • Sunday Music - Becky Powers-Puzzulo • Miles Wine Cellars
2-5pm • Music by Jason Being & The Human Condition • Abandon Brewing
Have a safe and fun Indepence Day! As always, cheers and thank you for reading!
Claudia
Curating your experience in Penn Yan, New York
