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4th annual Barry’s Irish Festival is Sept. 16

14 Aug

The entire Village of Webster was saddened by the recent news that our favorite Irish Pub, Barry’s Old School Irish, will be closing its doors in just a few weeks — at least for the short term (we hope).

But the GOOD news is that we can celebrate the pub and all things Irish with Danny and Jessica Barry at the 4th annual Barry’s Irish Festival, scheduled for Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at their farmhouse in Hilton.

This has become a very popular, family-friendly festival for everyone who loves Irish culture, from dancing to music, vendors of Celtic crafts, bagpipers, and of course good Irish brews. There’s always plenty for the kids to do, lots of good food, raffles and games.

You can click here for a lot more details about what’s on the schedule, but here are some highlights:

All day:

  • Food trucks: Webster Hots, Netsin’s Ice Cream, Red Osier, Cheesy Eddie’s, Rustic Taco, Fried Dough and Desserts
  • beer truck
  • craft vendors
  • The Talking Tent where you can explore Irish history
  • Jameson Irish Whiskey reps
  • Clonakilty Irish Whiskey reps
  • the Raffle Castle

Entertainment:

  • 10 a.m.: traditional Irish music session
  • 11:40 a.m.: Gates Keystone Club Police Pipes & Drums
  • Noon: Connemara Social Club
  • 1 p.m.: Jamieson Irish Dance will teach some Irish Dance steps for the kids
  • 1:30 p.m.: Peg Dolan and Sharon McHargue
  • 2:30 p.m.: Jamieson Irish Dance
  • 3 p.m.: Lucky Enough and Everheart
  • 4:30 p.m.: Celtic Cross
  • 5:30 p.m.: Young School of Irish Dance
  • 6 p.m.: Dave North Trio
  • 7:30 p.m.: Gavin Barry and the Rebel Banjo Circus
  • 9 p.m.: 1916

Other highlights:

  • Yoga class courtesy Ryan Barry (10 a.m.)
  • Pick-up soccer game (1 p.m.)
  • Roc City Gaelic on hand to demonstrate hurling
  • Kids’ activities and crafts (noon to 2 p.m.)
  • Corn hole tournament (3 p.m.)
  • Proper 12 Irish Whiskey sampling (2 to 8 p.m)
  • Parade led by the Gates Keystone Police Pipes & Drums (4 p.m.)
  • S’mores kits for everyone (7 p.m.)
  • green and gold eggs hidden throughout the grounds with raffle prizes
  • raffles every hour

The 4th annual Barry’s Irish Festival takes place Saturday Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at The Barry Patch Farm, 2668 Brick Schoolhouse Road, Hilton. Tickets are available at the pub for $15 (2 West Main St., Webster), and can be purchased online here. You can also get them on the day of the festival, when they’ll be $20. Kids 16 and under are free.

Visit the event’s Facebook page for more information, and if you have any questions, email Danny and Jessica at Barrysirishpub@gmail.com.

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(posted 8/14/2023)



Enjoying one last Family Games Night

12 Aug

Dozens of families enjoyed the last Family Games Night of the 2023 summer season on Friday night at Gazebo Park.

Children young and old bopped between Giant Jenga, corn hole, giant Connect Four and other games. There were balloons and snacks, and Dancing With Denise kept everyone hopping to a beat — when they weren’t twirling hula hoops.

Thank you Webster BID for a fun evening. Moving these events off of Main Street to Gazebo Park was a great decision, and I know these family-friendly events will continue to be popular in the coming years.

Here are a few more photos from the evening:

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(posted 8/12/2023)

First Responders 5K returns to village streets in three weeks

10 Aug

I like participating in 5Ks. (You’ll notice I didn’t say “run” 5Ks, because the pace I set cannot actually be called “running.”) So I’m really looking forward to one of my favorite 5Ks ever, the First Responders 5K.

This is a favorite for a few reasons. First, it’s in the Village of Webster. I can walk to the start line AND it runs right by my house. Second, SO MANY of my Webster friends also run. And finally, some of the proceeds benefit a great cause.

The race website explains,

The First Responders 5K recognizes the strength, perseverance, and courage of police officers, firefighters, EMTs, 911 operators and their families in our local community.

First responders put their lives on the line for us every day as they face hardships that most of us will never know. The repetitive negative experience of stressful and potentially traumatic events that first responders face on a daily basis leaves them particularly vulnerable to post-traumatic stress disorder. We hope that this event can raise awareness for PTSD in first responders, and raise funds for a local charity, FRST Agency, that will provide support, awareness, assets, and services to first responders seeking assistance in dealing with the effects of PTSD.

A portion of proceeds, as well as 100% of additional donations, will be donated to the FRST Agency

The race is scheduled for Friday Sept. 1 at 6:30 p.m. It will BEGIN AND END at the south side of Fireman’s Field on Sanford St., and take racers through east-side village neighborhoods. Cost is $40 (plus fees) or $15 for active first responders. Each racer will also receive a t-shirt, and food and drink after the race.

My family will once again be setting up our “refreshment” stop on Fuller Ave. with water — and beer — so watch for our signs!

To register for the race, and for more information including a course map, click here . They’re also looking for volunteers, which is an easy gig and nets you a t-shirt, too. You can also find out more about that opportunity on the website.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com“Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

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(posted 8/10/2023)

Webster community mailbag

8 Aug

I’m going to lead today’s mailbag with an event I only just learned about myself when I was reading through the Town’s Webster This Week newsletter.

It’s the Water Lantern Festival, being held this Saturday Aug. 12 at Charles Sexton Memorial Park (formerly North Ponds). It’s one of hundreds of similar festivals held world-wide every year by an organization called One World Lantern Festival, which describes it as:

an incredible experience where thousands of family, friends, and strangers celebrate life together. Water Lantern Festival brings together individuals from all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life to join in one emotional and memorable night. You’ll cherish these moments as you witness the beauty of thousands of lanterns and the lights reflecting upon the water.

Participants design their own lanterns, and are invited to inscribe their “hopes and dreams, or a letter to a loved one,” or any other meaningful message, and then send them floating out onto the water. I imagine the scene of countless illuminated lanterns floating on the pond will be spectacular.

Webster’s Water Lantern Festival will begin at 6 p.m. with food trucks, music and activities. Lantern designing begins at 8:30 p.m. and launch is from 9 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $26.98 (plus processing fees and taxes) and include a lantern kit, a commemorative drawstring bag, playing cards, conversation cards and access to the food trucks and music. IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING, you should get your tickets by Wednesday Aug. 9, because the price goes up after that to $45.99 and even higher on the day of the event.

Click here for more information about the festival and ticket options.


The Village of Webster’s next and last-one-of-the-summer Family Games Night is this Friday Aug. 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Gazebo Park on North Ave. These great — and totally free — family events feature giant games, sidewalk chalk, great food and drink, and Dancing With Denise. Come for just a short time, come for the entire event; you and your kids will have a blast.

Remember to visit the Webster BID website regularly to keep up to date on village events.


Webster NY Hope has published this month’s wish list, which includes:

  • toothbrushes
  • toilet paper
  • pasta
  • cooking oil
  • towels (used or new)
  • socks for all ages
  • underwear for all ages
  • queen sheets

Items can be dropped off at Webster Hope, 1450 Ridge Rd., during their normal operating hours, Monday from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m.


The Webster Marching Band‘s next Bottle and Can Drive happens this Saturday Aug. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All you have to do is place those bags outside your house or at the end of the driveway, with a little note indicating they’re for the band, and they’ll be whisked away for a good cause.

Or, if you plan to be out and about on Saturday, you can drop them off at the collection site, Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Road, by 3 p.m.

OR, you can call the Bottle and Can Hotline (234-8684, option 1) ANYTIME to arrange a pickup at a time convenient for you.


The United Church of Christ‘s last Caring Community Concert of the summer takes place this Wednesday Aug. 9 when 8 Days a Week performs.

These concerts benefit local nonprofit organizations. There’s no admission, but each week the church collects a free-will offering benefiting that week’s chosen non-profit organization. This week’s concert will benefit the Friends of Webster Trails.  

The concerts all begin at 6:30 p.m., and food concessions begin at 6. The concerts are held on the United Church of Christ front lawn, at 570 Klem Rd. (In case of rain it’s moved indoors.)


Finally, looking ahead, these two events take place in a few weeks:

The Steam Police will sponsor a blood drive in the Spry Middle School cafeteria on Friday Aug. 18 from 1 to 6 p.m. There’ll be food, drinks, t-shirts, raffle prizes, and a whole lot of gratitude.

For an appointment (always a good idea), visit redcrossblood.org and use the keyword “SPRYMS” or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

An electronics recycling event is scheduled for Saturday Aug. 19 on the Xerox campus off of Orchard St. (near the Rec Center). TICKETS ARE REQUIRED for this event, and you can sign up here for the time slot you want.

Some slots are already booked up, so sign up soon.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com“Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

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(posted 8/8/2023)

More music and family fun in the village

3 Aug

There’s so much summer fun happening in the village these days, I’m having a hard time keeping on top of it all. So here’s a quick reminder about a few things coming up. (P.S. more information about these events can be found on the Webster BID website.)

This Friday Aug. 4, the Friday Night concert series at the gazebo continues with a performance by singer/songwriter Sarah De Vallière. She describes her music as “Randy Newman meets Joni Mtchell in a bar.” Not sure what that means, but I have seen Sarah play and she is very talented and very entertaining.

The concert will be at Village Memorial Gazebo park on North Ave., and begin at 7 p.m. There’s no cost, and you’re welcome to bring your chairs, blankets and a cooler with food and refreshments.


Next Friday, grab the family and come back to Gazebo Park for the next Family Games Night.

From 6 to 9 p.m. you’ll enjoy giant Jenga, giant Connect Four, corn hole, sidewalk chalking, beer and wine from The Coach and takeout from West Main Street restaurants.


Looking ahead, you definitely don’t want to forget about the Webster Jazz Festival, which is returning Friday and Saturday Aug. 18 and 19.

On Friday, enjoy Jazz in the Pubs at six local pubs and restaurants, then on Saturday the jazz takes to the street when four outstanding jazz bands perform beginning at 4 p.m. on the big West Main Street stage. Click here to see details about who’s playing and when.


ALSO… don’t forget to register for the Village Bed Race on Saturday Sept. 16.

This is going to be tons of fun, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what kind of creative contraptions the bed race competitors will come up with. Teams will be separated into two age groups, 14 to 19 and 20 and up. The course will include one challenge stop, there’ll be two heats and one final elimination race.

Complete rules, bed design specifications and registration links can be found on the Webster BID website, but here are a few highlights:

  • Wheels must be NO larger than 8 inches
  • There are five participants for each bed, four pushers and one sleeper
  • Sleeper must wear some type of sleepwear during the race

Gentlemen and ladies, start your beds!!!

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(posted 8/3/2023)

A fun (and educational) family hike from the Friends of Webster Trails

31 Jul

The Friends of Webster Trails have come up with a fun new theme for their regular family hikes.

It’s called the “Trees Along the Trail Challenge,” being held at Four Mile Creek Preserve from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday August 5.

Participants will pick up a clue packet at the sign-in table, and the challenge is to explore the trails and find the trees indicated in the clues. When you’re done, return the answer sheet and check your score. The first 50 families to complete the challenge will receive a free tree.

The self-guided hike will take place rain or shine, so mane sure you dress for the weather. There’s no charge, but registration is requested. Visit the Friends of Webster Trails website to register.

Four Mile Creek Preserve is located on Phillips Rd. at the corner of Lake Rd. It’s probably my favorite natural area in Webster, so if you haven’t been there yet, I highly recommend it.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com“Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 7/31/2023)

Jazz Festival details: who’s playing and when

30 Jul

Get ready to dance in the streets in a few weeks, when the Webster Jazz Festival returns.

The event will stretch over two days Friday and Saturday Aug. 18 and 19, kicking off with “Jazz in the Pubs” Friday evening beginning at 6:30 p.m. Six different bands are scheduled to perform at six different village pubs and restaurants, with staggered start times, so you can visit visit several (or all) of the venues for a drink and a bite to eat, and enjoy as many bands as you like. The musicians represent some of the best from the Rochester music scene, including some returning favorites and some new faces.

The music continues Saturday night when jazz takes to the street.

Beginning at 4 p.m., an outstanding lineup of musical entertainment will perform from the big West Main Street stage, featuring musicians from around Rochester and Upstate. There will be some tables and chairs set up, but they go pretty fast, so plan to bring your own, set them up in the middle of the street and enjoy music all evening long.

This year’s Webster Jazz Festival brings back some familiar faces and some new ones. Nicholas Brust, a Webster Schroeder HS grad, returns to his hometown for his first appearance at the festival. Deepak Thettu, another Schroeder grad, will play both Friday and Saturday evenings. Paradigm Shift and Marco Amadio return and newcomers Sarah DeValliere and Tyler Scott Owens will knock your socks off. Simple Pleasures with Grammy-nominated Jimmie Highsmith, Jr. and vocalist Julie Delario keep the party going on Saturday night.

Here’s the schedule (click on the name to get more information about each band):

Friday Aug. 18:

  • 6:30 p.m.Jazz Generation at JoJo’s Wine Bar, 42 E. Main St. An instrumental acoustic guitar duo presenting a mix of popular world jazz music.
  • 6:30 p.m. Joe Chiappone and Vince Ercolamento at Barry’s Old School Irish, 2 West Main St., jazz guitar and saxophone.
  • 6:45 p.m.Sarah De Vallière at Cobblestone on Main, 109 W. Main St. An award-winning composer, classically-trained pianist and outstanding singer-songwriter, performing “cinematic folk rock with nuances of jazz and pop.”
  • 7:00 p.m.: Marco Amadio on the piano at Brimont Bistro, 24 W. Main St.
  • 7:15 p.m.: Paradigm Shift at Ploty’s Hometown Tavern, 27 W. Main St., performing “organic, funky grooves with street-level ambiance.”
  • 8:00 p.m.: Guitarist Deepak Thettu and Friends at The Coach Sports Bar, 17 W. Main St. Another graduate of Webster Schroeder High School.

Saturday Aug. 19:

  • 4:00 p.m.: Nicholas Brust, bandleader, composer, a premier saxophonist of his generation, and graduate of Webster Schroeder High School
  • 5:45 p.m.: Tyler Scott Owens, Rochester-based vocalist and songwriter
  • 7:00 p.m.: Smooth jazz sounds from Judah Sealy, a graduate of School of the Arts and Roberts Wesleyan College
  • 9:00 p.m.: Simple Pleasures, a high-energy group led by Grammy-nominated saxophonist Jimmie Highsmith, Jr.

This is always a huge event, so you’ll really want to be a part of it.

To find out more about the 2023 Webster Jazz Festival, visit the Webster BID website.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com“Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 7/30/2023)

Webster community mailbag

27 Jul

There’s more music in the village this week, when 8 Days a Week returns to Gazebo Park this Friday July 28 for the next Friday night concert.

8 Days a Week is Upstate New York’s premier Beatles tribute band, and guaranteed they’ll have everyone dancing and along to songs we all know so well.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Gazebo Park on North Ave. Bring your chairs and blankets, and a cooler if you’d like with food and beverages. It’s all free and family-friendly.


Speaking of music, a few more opportunities to enjoy some live music are coming up in the next few weeks.

This coming Wednesday Aug. 2, John Dady and John Ryan will be performing at the United Church of Christ for their weekly Caring Community Concert series.

These concerts benefit local nonprofit organizations. There’s no admission, but each week the church collects a free-will offering benefiting that week’s chosen non-profit organization. The Dady and Ryan concert will benefit Webster Comfort Care Home.  

The concerts all begin at 6:30 p.m., and food concessions begin at 6. The concerts are held on the United Church of Christ front lawn, at 570 Klem Rd. (In case of rain it’s moved indoors.) On Wednesday August 9, 8 Days a Week will take the stage. (So if you liked them at the gazebo, check them out here!)


The Summer Concert Series at Cherry Ridge is in full swing. The next concert is scheduled for Tuesday August 8 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., featuring the Gateswingers Big Band. The concerts are held outside, and the grounds open up at 5 p.m. with food available for purchase. So bring your lawn chair and enjoy some beautiful music.

Cherry Ridge is located at 900 Cherry Ridge Blvd., across from Webster Schroeder High School. Registration is requested. Click here to do so.


Good food is in store at St. Martin Lutheran Church when they host their next Pulled Pork Drive-Thru beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday Aug. 5.

The take-out dinner includes pulled pork sandwich, salt potatoes, cole slaw and cookie for just $12. Proceeds will support the church’s annual Christmas Stocking Project reaching over 500 children and teens in Monroe and Wayne counties.

Pull into the parking lot, place your order using exact payment, and the dinner will be delivered to you as you drive up in your car.

St. Martin Lutheran Church is located at 813 Bay Rd.


There’s always TONS of fun stuff happening at the Webster Public Library, too much for me to tell you about them all here. But I do want to shine a spotlight on a few of them.

The first is the return of the very popular life-sized Candyland game.

This year’s game is “lighter” than the one they’ve had in the past, but no less fun. Bring your family and friends and become part of the game we’ve all enjoyed playing for decades. Check out the flyer for times.

And here’s a chance to check out one of our most natural areas, the Webster Arboretum.

On Tuesday Aug. 8 at 6 p.m., the library will host a guided tour through the Arboretum, especially highlighting some of the new plantings there. The tour will take about 90 minutes and will require a lot of walking, much of it off the pathways, so wear some comfortable shoes.

Registration is required for this event. Click here to sign up.


Finally, here’s a reminder that the Webster Museum is now accepting donations for their annual Barn Sale, scheduled for Sept. 14 to 16.

Donations are being collected at the barn located at 394 Phillips Rd. You can drive right down the driveway to the barn and put your donations inside (donation receipts are on the table). Although you can donate any day, museum volunteers are on site Monday mornings if you would like assistance unloading your donations.

Items they’d love to see are antiques, collections and collectibles, kitchen and household items, décor, small appliances, toys, tools, and small furniture. They cannot accept books or magazines, computers, clothing, linens, baby cribs or car seats, large furniture, snow skis or water skis, large exercise equipment, audio or video tapes (VHS tapes, music cassettes, etc), or entertainment electronics, (TVs, stereos, DVD players, etc).  

That’s about enough for today. August and September are shaping up to be very busy months, so stay tuned for more news about

  • the Webster Jazz Fest
  • the Barry’s Irish Festival
  • a blood drive at Spry Middle School sponsored by The Steam Police
  • a new family hike at Four Mile Creek from the Friends of Webster Trails
  • an electronics recycling event
  • a hazardous waste recycling event
  • the return of the Webster Garlic Fest
  • the 2023 Mud Run
  • the Oktoberfest

and more.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com“Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 7/27/2023)

Waterfront Art Festival returns this weekend

26 Jul

The annual Waterfront Art Festival returns to Charles Sexton Park (formerly North Ponds) this weekend, and this year is more special than most, as the festival celebrates 50 years of great art and entertainment.

You may not be familiar with the history of this great festival. It feels like it’s a been regular Webster summer event for like, forever. But actually, Webster’s only hosted the Waterfront Art Festival since 2015, when organizers had a falling out with their original hosts at the Canandaigua City Pier. When they chose to move it to North Ponds Park in Webster, our community warmly welcomed the event, and it quickly became a summer favorite.

This coming weekend, Saturday and Sunday July 29 and 30, the Waterfront Art Festival returns for its 50th year, to the newly named Charles Sexton Memorial Park. The festival is a must-see for those who appreciate fine art and quality crafts.

Dozens of artisan booths line the park’s scenic and shaded walkways, displaying an incredible variety of hand-made items in all price ranges. What’s really nice about this particular festival is that all of the artisans’ work is juried beforehand, which is why it’s all so different and high-quality. Plus there are food trucks, live music, demonstrations, a wine, beer and cider-tasting tent, several food and drink vendors, plenty of free parking right on the grounds, and a handicapped parking area. (Click here to see a gallery of photos from two years ago.)

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Charles Sexton Memorial Park, off of Rt. 104 between Rt. 250 and Holt Road (take the Rt. 250 exit off Rt. 104). 

Admission is $5, no charge for kids 12 and under. For more information, including a list of artisans and entertainers, click here for the Waterfront Art Festival website and here for their Facebook page.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com“Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 7/26/2023)

Joe Obbie Farmers’ Market “Evening in the Park” a great addition to the regular Saturday market

25 Jul

Another Wednesday is upon us, which means it’s time to head out to Charles Sexton Park for the Joe Obbie Farmers’ Market, especially since the weather looks like it’s going to be picture-perfect.

The “Evening in the Park” market is a relatively new improvement to the long-established Joe Obbie Market, which has been setting up at Webster Towne Center every Saturday for years now. And it’s been a very popular addition.

On top of the wide variety of food and craft vendors you’ve come to know and love at the Saturday market, the Evening in the Park also has food trucks and live music. Basically, everything you need for a nice evening out with the family, including flowers, fresh produce, meats and sauces!

I stopped by the first market last week and took these photos. The band and a lot of the vendors were still setting up shop, so the photos really don’t capture the entire fun atmosphere of the evening. Make sure to check it out for yourself this Wednesday.

The Joe Obbie Farmers’ Market Evenings in the Park will run every Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Charles Sexton Park (formerly North Ponds). The poster below tells you what bands are playing each evening. Don’t forget your chairs!

Definitely don’t forget about the Saturday market, either.

You’ll find the Joe Obbie Farmers’ Market in Webster Towne Center Plaza (Target/Kohl’s plaza) every Saturday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The vendors offer baked goods, flowers, crafts, farm-raised meats and eggs, honey, jams, maple syrup and more.

Enter the plaza from Holt Rd. or Ridge Rd. and follow the signs. You’ll see the market set up in front of Old Navy.

Need more information? Check out the market’s Facebook page here.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com“Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 7/25/2023)