Earth School Fungi Walk
Earth School offers adult programming at the intersection of the arts and natural world. We are partnering with local artisans, crafts people and naturalists to facilitate workshops and experiences that bring us closer to the earth and our innate creativity.
We hope you'll join us for one or many of our workshops.
Fungi Walk with Steve Carlic
Workshop Description: Steve Carlic will lead an exploration of the amazing fungi that thrive along the trails at Amberations. He has grown edible mushrooms for more than a decade in Marcellus and loves to explore all the fungi that pop up in local fields and forests. He also is a soapmaker, a beekeeper, a maple syrup maker and a gardener. Oh, and he tends to a flock of chickens and some sheep, too. Chances are that as we search for mushrooms, we'll stumble across different kinds of songbirds along the way, especially several noisy Indigo Buntings.
Summer Solstice Celebration & Open Barn
Join us at The Barn as we enjoy the long days of summer!
We'll have:
a photographer for mini sessions
interactive arts & crafts stations for all ages
the goats and Big Joe, the donkey (of course)
information about upcoming ways to be involved at Amberations
refreshments
a duck race
Sign up for a photography slot today: click here
Adopt a duck. Choose based on appearance, name, number or choose at random: click here
Download and print a poster to share the event with others in your community: Poster
Fall Festival
One thing unpredictable about October in Central New York is the weather. Something you can count on is having fun at Amberations Fall Festival. Rain or shine there's sure to be something you'll find delightful. Last year's unseasonably warm temperatures led to the creation of cider floats. Gannon’s pumpkin or vanilla ice cream paired with fresh cider made a lovely concoction for the warm day. Whether it's spanakopita, pumpkin chili, apple crisp, hot dogs, cookies or just a beverage - we’ve got refreshments for all, including our vegan and gluten free friends.
The music alone is enough to bring a crowd. Our all star lineup, under the leadership of famed local musician Harvey Nusbaum, includes The BobCats Band, Morris & The Hepcats, The Little Jazz Trio, Kambuyu Marimba Ensemble, and The Amber Ramblers.
A few years ago we began adding vendors to our event. Every year we see new faces and the artistry and wares have been outstanding. What a great way to support your neighbors while accomplishing some early holiday shopping.
Kids always love coming to Amberations but for our Fall event we add unique activities to make it extra special. This year we're even including a medallion hunt, following the success we had at our Solstice Event. Even the animals are excited about our event as they know they’ll get lots of treats.
Oh, and don’t forget our duck race. You can choose your duck now, adoptions are open. Spread the word to friends and family, our race is live streamed so participants can enjoy the fun even from the comfort of their living rooms.
Be sure to mark your calendars now for Sunday, October 6th from 1-5. Amberations Fall Festival - 2223 Amber Road, Marietta
This event is Amberations largest fun(d)raiser of the year. If you'd like to participate as a vendor please visit the store to find out more and register. To donate a raffle prize or help out please contact us at info@amberations.org.
A little about Amberation's duck race. Our duck races have almost taken on a life of their own. They are our longest lasting fun(d)raisers as you can peruse and select a duck to adopt months before the actual race. We typically have two races a year, one at our spring event and one at our Fall Festival. Hours before the race is set to begin, the course is prepared by a crew of rakers who make sure there are no obstacles. One volunteer duck is selected to navigate the course, ensuring safety and clear travels for all. When the race begins 100 little yellow rubber ducks, all unique and individually named, are plunged into the stream just beyond Libby’s bench. As they bob and meander down the stream our sportscaster, Christopher Wojciechowski, provides live video with bob-by-bob narration for those viewers at home. The first three ducks to tumble over the falls just beyond our driveway tunnel win first, second and third place. Spectators wait to see who will be the very last duck because we always have a special prize for them as well.
When we started live streaming our race, we began awarding cash prizes. We would like to thank Wonderland Forest for continually sponsoring this race and providing those $100, $50 and $25 prizes as well as the secret last place prize.
If you have not yet visited Wonderland Forest you should make it a point to do so. Nature lovers with a passion for music, they created a connection of music and nature in a concert venue and campground. Wonderland Forest is an aptly named pristine landscape of lush forest and spectacular waterfalls in the rolling hills not far from Amberations. Be sure to check them out and thank them for their support.
Now…adopt a duck!
This project is made possible with funds from the County of Onondaga with the support of the County Executive and administered by CNY Arts.
Open House & Solstice Celebration
Celebrate the Summer Solstice at Amberations Open House on Saturday, June 22nd!
For the first time ever, we will be kicking off the Summer Solstice with an all-day Medallion Hunt! Rally your friends and family and register for a day on the hunt, using clues that lead you through the elusive landscape of Amberations. Prizes await the explorers who conquer the challenge! See event info here
Starting at 4pm, we welcome all to the heart of Amberations, our barn, to enjoy light refreshments, live music, workshops, and games for the whole family. Amberations volunteers will be available to discuss volunteer opportunities and summer programming for children and adults.
It isn’t an event at Amberations without a duck race down the creek! First, second, and third place win a prize along with a special prize for the slowest duck. Meet the ducks on our website and choose which one you want to root for; each has their own personality. The first ducks to topple over the falls win. For those who cannot attend in person, the race will be livestreamed on our Facebook page. A big thanks to Wonderland Forest for being the official sponsor of the duck race!! Race to start at 6:30pm.
As the sun sets on the longest day of the year we will make it one to remember with a community bonfire! We will have s’more kits and more for all to enjoy!!
Haiku Hike Medallion Hunt
Throughout the day, leading up to our Summer Solstice Celebration in the evening, you will be able to participate in our first ever Haiku Hike. Register for clues and every hour from 10: 00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. a new clue will be released. Clues will lead to six hidden medallions spread out over Amberations' almost 50 acres. If you find one of our medallions, bring it to our open house and redeem it for a prize. Each of the six medallion winners will then be entered into an additional grand prize drawing. Limit of one medallion per registrant. Register at this link.
Fall Festival 2023
Join us for our biggest event of the year! We’ll have live music, great food, vendors, duck race, activities for the kids (and kids at heart), raffles. Come check out the activities and all that Amberations has to offer every day of the year - the pond, stream, animals, hiking trails, new outdoor seating…
If you would like to attend as a vendor, click here for more info.
Amberations Spring Thing
Join us for our annual spring fundraiser. Shop for yourself or pick up some Mother’s Day gifts from local vendors. Listen to the live music, try your luck at winning raffles or the duck race and grab a bite to eat or take with you. We’ll have bagel sandwiches, soup and baked goods.
For live music, we’ll have:
Nuclear Ukulele Duet - Bob Lyna and Harvey Nusbaum
Folk rock classics, jazz standards, kitch. You think that's easy? Done variously on guitars, bass, kazoo and ukulele. This duet likes to have fun as much as they like to play music. That's a lot!
AaH - Harp and Guitar
This duet has the skills to play multiple genres of music. Some are what you'd expect, like celtic and renaissance but you'll also hear Beatles, show tunes, originals who knows what else.
Vendors
If you would like to have a vendor space at the event, check out the options here. We would love to have you join us!
We’ll finish out the event by drawing raffle winners and racing the ducks down the stream in front of Amberations’ barn so stick around until the end!
If you want to print and hang a poster, download it here.
2022 Fall Festival
*Live Music
*Vendors
*Lots of food (GF and Vegan options, too)
*Crafts
*Games
*Raffles
*Duck Race
Music - 2 locations:
Kambuyu Marimba Ensemble of Syracuse has been together since 2004 and has played for Amberations almost that long. They are a tradition at the fall festival and once you hear their sound you’ll never forget it. The roots of the music they play comes from the Shona people of Zimbabwe. Eight marimbas of five sizes are usually played in the arrangements for this music: a bass, baritone, two tenors, an alto and three sopranos. They sing as well and the music is both simple and complex at the same time.
The BobCats play a mix of originals written by Bob Elfenbein and tasty covers of a wide variety of musical styles. Done on bass, rhythm and lead guitars, violin and mandolin. Featuring vocals by Jenny O’Hara with 3 part harmony.
Merry Mischief is a long time performing act of theatrical musicians, bringing historical and original folk music forward. This day, Merry Mischief consists of Merlyn Fuller (12 string guitar, bodhran and lead vocals) and Tom Meier (mandolin & banjo) and will be offering music with a nature theme!
Nuclear Ukulele includes Bob Lyna on guitar, Harvey Nusbaum on lead guitar and Richard Curry on washtub bass. They cover a panoply of styles like old time jazz, classic country, and pop. As they should with their combined music experience somewhere north of 150 years. Their sound gravitates somewhere to the rock ‘n’ roll side of folk-rock.
Steve & Sharon Hewitt and Family includes Rick and Robby Swope and Steve and Sharon Hewitt. Look for everything acoustic, folk, old timey, bluegrass, country blues, folk-rock. Originals, too.
Vendors:
Sip & Drip Co
Quilts and more
Patti’s Sewing Passion
Rei of Light
Essentially Oily Home
7evenSouth
TimberCreek Mercantile
+ more being added! (see below if you want to be a vendor)
Food: spanakopita, our very own pumpkin chili, apple crisp, Gannon's ice cream, hot and cold cider, baked sweet potatoes, hot dogs, cookies and more.
Crafts, games, music, artisans, food, friendly people and loving animals make this an event you won't want to miss... and remember, it's all to support Amberations.
If you or anyone you know would like to donate a raffle prize for this event please contact us at amberations315@gmail.com
If you would like a vendor space at the event, please visit amberations.org/vendors
Mother’s Day Craft Fair & Bake Sale
Celebrate someone special this Mother’s Day. There are all types of moms out there: aunts, sisters, grandmothers, teachers, mentors, and friends.
Let’s honor those who love us unconditionally!
Join us at Amberations on Saturday, May 7 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM to pick up something special for the ones most special to you. Featuring vendors, live music, animals, baked goods, games, face painting, crafts and duck race!
2020 Fall Festival
We are excited to announce our annual Fall Festival is scheduled for October 4, 2020! We have adapted our programming to ensure the maximum safety and enjoyment of everyone. We will have musicians in our upper field area in various stations, as well as baked goods, cider, and displays of art, crafts, and literature. Guests will be invited to enjoy the festival remaining with the groups with which they arrive and move from station to station throughout the woods and fields. We hope to see you there!