January

Jan. 2-4

RV & Boat Super Sale. View a variety of RVs and boats at great prices. Call for details. Oncenter Convention Center, 800 S. State St. (585) 293-1000. 

Jan. 8

Prime Rib Buffet Dinner. A buffet
will be served at the Skyline Lodge at Highland Forest, Route 80,
Fabius. 5 to 8:30 p.m. $14.95/adult; $7.95/children ages 5-11; free/5
and under. Reservations recommended. 683-5550. 

Jan. 9

Snow Leopard Soiree. This
fund-raising event will feature a cocktail reception and gourmet
dinner, music by Dan Elliot and the Monterays and a silent auction.
Proceeds to benefit the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. Black and white attire
encouraged. $145/person, registration required. Rosamond Gifford Zoo at
Burnet Park, 1 Conservation Place. 435-8511, Ext. 132.

Jan. 10

Build a Snow Cave. Being
snowed-in was never so much fun as it is in this winter group activity.
Pile soft snow and carve out a cave—a great emergency shelter or simple
source of backyard fun. Bring a plastic snow shovel. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free with park admission. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake
Road, Baldwinsville. Call to check weather conditions in the morning.
638-2519.

Winter Living Celebration. Sample
winter recreation at this festival. Indoor and outdoor activities
include sleigh rides, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice fishing,
storytelling and live music. Bring your Christmas tree for recycling.
Some events are weather-dependent, and all are free. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Rogers Environmental Education Center, Route 80, Sherburne. Free. (607)
674-4017.

Bridesworld 2009. Tap into your
inner Bride-zilla with ongoing fashion shows and visit nearly 100
exhibitors to meet all of your nuptial needs.10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oncenter
Convention Center, 800 S. State St. $4 at the door; $3 online pre-sale.
435-8000.

Jan. 10-11

Folksmarch. Organized,
non-competitive walking and wellness program for the whole family.
Saturday, 8 to 11 a.m.; Sunday, 1 to 3 p.m. Arrowhead Lodge, Oneida
Shores County Park. Ladd Road, off Exit 31, Interstate 81, Brewerton.
$3.50/adults; $1/age 15 and younger; free for first-time walkers and
YMCA members. 474-6841.

Jan. 16-18

Salt City Winter Antique Show.
More than 275 dealers offer wares from the 18th to 20th centuries, all
spread out over thousands of square feet of floor space. Showgoers can
bring an item for evaluation by WorthPoint antique database and West
Lake Conservators Ltd. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Center of Progress Building,
State Fairgrounds. $6/adults; $7/weekend pass; free/under 12. 824-2462.

Jan. 23-25

AMJAM Tattoo Expo.  The 23rd annual exhibit features live music and the return of the Lizardman, performing daily.  Meet
internationally known tattoo artists and get inked; you may even win a
“Tattoo of the Day” award. Friday, 6 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, noon
to midnight; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Holiday Inn Convention Center, 441
Electronics Parkway, Liverpool. $10/day, $25 for 3 days. (518) 893-2273.

Northeastern Sports Show. Some
200 exhibitors display hunting and fishing supplies, boats, game calls,
wildlife art, and lots of other items for outdoor enthusiasts. Seminars
cover deer hunting, turkey calling, dog training and fishing. Animal
features include Brody the Bear, a goose calling contest and Talons!, a
live birds of prey show. Friday, noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7
p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Center of Progress Building, State
Fairgrounds. $8/adults; $3/ages 6-12; free/age 5 and younger. 824-3227.

Jan. 30-Feb. 1

Country Folk Art Craft Show.
Featuring more than 150 of the nation’s best crafters and offering
quilts, florals, furniture, fine arts, jewelry, gourmet delights and
much more. Friday, 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. Toyota Exhibit Center, State Fairgrounds. $6/adults;
free/children. Free parking. One paid admission is good all weekend.
(248) 634-4151. 

Jan. 31

Central New York Brewfest. The
13th annual festival features two sessions, the first from 1 to 4 p.m.
and the second from 6 to 9 p.m. The Jeff Bradbury Band will entertain.
Food will be available for purchase. Must be 21 or older. $25 advance,
$30 at the door. Horticulture Building at State Fairgrounds. 471-6588
or 488-3835.

February

Feb. 2

Mid-Winter Blues Run. Outrun
those cold-weather blues with the fourth annual 5K run over country
roads near Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road,
Baldwinsville. Run will begin and end at the Visitor Center. 9:45 a.m.
Preregistration required: $20. 638-2519. 

Feb. 4-8

Auto Expo Syracuse 2009. The
101st annual show will take place at the Oncenter Convention Center.
Sponsored by the Syracuse Automobile Dealers Association. Wednesday to
Friday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to
5 p.m. $7/adults, $5/seniors, $2.50/under 12, free/under 5. 474-1041.

Feb. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21

Valentine’s in the Forest. A
buffet dinner and live entertainment will be held in the Skyline Lodge
at Highland Forest. The dinner features a complimentary Saranac beer
and a candlelit dinner. Participants may ride in a horse-drawn sleigh
to the Pioneer Museum for a tour and bonfire, or stay in the lodge to
enjoy music and dancing. 7 to 11 p.m. Registration required: $80 per
couple. Feb. 14 is sold out. Highland Forest, Route 80, Fabius.
683-5550. 

Feb. 7

Great Eastern Whiteout Vintage & Antique Snowmobile Show.
Watch vintage snowmobiles race or register your own at this ninth
annual event. Registration starts at 8 a.m., racing begins at 11 a.m.
and continues until dusk. Rolling Wheels Raceway, Route 5, Elbridge.
$8/adults, reduced rate for children. 252-4097. 

Below Zero Teacher Workshop. This
workshop teaches elementary school educators about ecology that can be
applied in the classroom. 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Preregistration
required. Rogers Environmental Education Center, Route 80, Sherburne.
(607) 674-4017.

Feb. 10-11

Be Mine With Wine. Spend the
weekend tasting the best romantic foods Keuka Lake has to offer. Each
winery will offer a tantalizing recipe paired with a different and
unique wine. $20 per person, $25 at the door. (800) 320-0735.

Feb. 12-22

Syracuse Winterfest 2009. Annual
seasonal carnival heats up downtown with chili and chowder cook-offs,
concerts, parties, human dog-sled races and more. Various times and
places in downtown Syracuse. Most events are free. (800) 234-4797. 

Feb. 14

Cross-Country Ski Whaupaunaucau State Forest. Explore
this beautiful forest on skis. Meet in the parking lot to caravan. 9
a.m. to noon. Call ahead to register. Rogers Environmental Education
Center, Route 80, Sherburne. (607) 674-4017.

Feb. 20-22

Empire State Winter Games. Annual
state sporting event continues with top-class athletes competing in
winter sports including skiing, skating, bobsled, luge, hockey,
orienteering and more. Opening ceremonies held Friday at 6 p.m. in Lake
Placid. Free. (518) 474-8889.

New York State Golf Expo. This
show caters to both the beginner and experienced golfer who want to
tee-off on the latest products, from equipment to apparel and even
travel destinations. Oncenter Convention Center, 800 S. State St. $7.
426-8741.

Feb. 21

Backyard Maple Sugaring. Find out
how to collect sap and turn it into maple sugar in your own back yard.
Meet in the parking lot to caravan. Dress warmly. Rogers Environmental
Center, Route 80, Sherburne. Free. (607) 674-4017.

Tully Ice Harvest. Bring your
kids and your gloves to Green Lake and help the Tully community harvest
a winter’s profit. The ice will be used to make delicious strawberry
ice cream in June for the Tully Strawberry Fest. Noon to 3 p.m. Green
Lake, off Route 80 on Lake Road, Tully. Free. This event depends on
weather conditions. 696-4681.

Feb. 21-22

Mardi Gras at the Wineries. The
pre-Lenten party comes to the Cayuga Wine Trail and includes prizes,
wine and food samples and the opportunity for the King and Queen of
Mardi Gras to win free tickets to all wine trail events, tickets to the
Finger Lakes Wine Festival, and other prizes. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6
p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. $20 advance tickets, $25 at the door, $15
designated driver. (800) 684-5217.

Feb. 28

Hike Cush Hill. Learn about
winter ecology while snowshoeing or hiking, depending on ground
conditions. 10 a.m. Preregistration required. Rogers Environmental
Education Center, Route 80, Sherburne. (607) 674-4017.

Ongoing Winter Events

Dec. 30-Jan. 4

Lights on the Lake. This holiday
favorite features a two mile long drive-through light show. 5 to 10
p.m. Onondaga Lake Park, Liverpool. $8 per car; $6 on Dec. 30 with a
Wegmans card. 453-6712. 

City of Syracuse Ice Skating.
Through March 31 at indoor rinks, weather permitting through March 1 at
outdoor rink. The Department of Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs
offers skating at these neighborhood locations. Meachem Rink
(West Seneca Turnpike). Open skating: Mon.-Fri. noon to 3:15 p.m;
Fri.-Sun. 7:15 to 10 p.m. Senior skating: Fri. 9 to 11:45 a.m.
Admission and free coffee or hot chocolate: $1. Skate rental: $3. Skate
& Shoot: Thurs. 9 to 11:45 a.m. Skate rental: $3. 473-4336. Sunnycrest Rink
(Frank Salanger Athletic Complex, Robinson Street, near Henninger High
School). Open skating: Mon. and Tues. noon to 4:30 p.m.; Wed. noon to
5:30 and 7:15 to 10 p.m.; Thurs. noon to 3 p.m.; Fri. noon to 5:30 and
7:15 to 10 p.m.; Sat. 1:45 to10 p.m.; Sun. 1:30 to 5:30 and 7:15 to 10
p.m. Senior skating: Thurs. 9 to 11:45 a.m. $2/adults; $1/seniors and
age 12 and under. Skate rental: $3. 473-4696. Clinton Square Ice Rink
Mon. through Thurs. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fri. and school breaks 11 a.m.
to 10 p.m.; Sat. and holidays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m. to 8
p.m. Admission: $3/adults; $1.50/seniors & age 17 & under.
Skate rental: $3. 423-0129.

Reduced Zoo Admission. Every day
in January and February, admission is $3/adults, $2/children, students
and seniors. 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park,
1 Conservation Place. 435-8511.

Winter at the Zoo Photo Contest. From
Jan. 10 to Feb. 1, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo will give free admission to
those who show a camera and coupon printed off the zoo’s Web site.
There will be three photo contests for ages 5-12, 13-18 and adults 19
and older. Contest rules are available at www.rosamondgiffordzoo.org.
Open daily, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, 1
Conservation Place. 435-8511.

Jan. 9-11; Feb. 6-8

Moonlight Skiing and Snowshoeing.
Weather permitting, trails will be open until 9 p.m. these nights to
allow skiers and snowshoers to enjoy Beaver Lake’s network of trails by
moonlight. Refreshments will be available. Free with park admission.
Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville.
638-2519. 

Cross-Country Ski Lessons.
Weekends Jan. 3 to Feb. 28. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Sun. 1 p.m. Get a
one-hour lesson to pick up the basics of this fun sport. For ages 7 and
over. Highland Forest, Route 80, Fabius. $20 for a lesson &
equipment rental; $10 for a lesson; $2 parking. Preregister. 683-5550.

Weekend Walks With a Naturalist.
Weekends in January and February at 2 p.m. Use snowshoes to track
wildlife. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road,
Baldwinsville. $3 snowshoe rental; $2 parking. Preregister. 638-2519.

Hayrides and Sleigh Rides.
Weekends Jan. 3 to Mar. 15, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thirty-minute horse-drawn
rides include a warm beverage at the end of the ride. Highland Forest,
Route 80, Fabius. $5/adult; free/under 5; $2 parking. 683-5550.

Cross-Country Ski Basics. Jan. 7,
10, 21, 31 & Feb. 4, 21. Saturdays 9 to 11 a.m.; Wednesdays 1:30 to
3:30 p.m. First-time skiers can pick up simple skills and new skiers
can receive helpful hints from instructors. Beaver Lake Nature Center,
8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $10 per person. You must bring
your own skis and preregister. 638-2519.

Try Snowshoeing. Every Sat. and
Sun., 12:30 p.m.; through Feb. 28. A one-hour introduction to
snowshoeing with instructions and a short hike. Call the day of to
check on snow conditions and preregister. Beaver Lake Nature Center,
8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $3 snowshoe rental; $2 parking.
638-2519.

Jan. 8, 22

Trail Tales. A naturalist will
lead 3- to 5-year-olds accompanied by an adult on a nature walk and
tell them stories. 1 p.m. Free with park admission. Beaver Lake Nature
Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. 638-2519.

Weekday Snowshoe Jaunt. Weekdays
Jan. 1 through Feb. 26. Weather permitting, enjoy an hour-long hike at
Beaver Lake. 1:30 p.m. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake
Road, Baldwinsville. Preregistration required. $3 for snowshoe rental;
$2 parking. 638-2519. 

Wellness Walking Group. Meets
Wednesdays starting Dec. 31. Begins at 10 a.m. through February and at
9 a.m. starting in March. Walk a few miles with a group and stick
around for coffee afterward. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud
Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $2 parking. 638-2519. 

Winter Trail Walk Series. Enjoy a
walk with Rogers Center staff and hot chocolate in the lodge. Snowshoes
may be used depending on the amount of snow. Free. Dec. 30 at 11 a.m.;
Dec. 31 at 11 a.m.; Jan. 2 at 9 a.m. Rogers Environmental Education
Center, Route 80, Sherburne. (607) 674-4017.

Active Senior Series. Snowshoe at
Adams Farm to see wildlife, or at Brookfield to enjoy the scenery. If
there is no snow, the group will hike instead. At Adams Farm: Jan. 14
from 10 a.m. to noon and Jan. 24 at 10 a.m. At Brookfield: Jan. 17 from
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call ahead to register. Rogers Environmental
Education Center, Route 80, Sherburne. (607) 674-4017.