The document presents a comprehensive guide to activities and events in Fort Drum, New York, countering the myth that there's nothing to do in the area. It lists various summer attractions, including farmers markets, parades, fishing tournaments, live music, county fairs, craft fairs, and notable destinations. Additionally, it provides resources for further exploration and emphasizes the diverse recreational options available in the North Country.

1. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
BIGGEST LOCAL MYTH:
“THERE’S NOTHING
TO DO HERE!!”
Wrong!!
Fort Drum – The Army’s Best Kept Secret
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2. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Legal Stuff
In no way do we endorse any of these events and/or
destinations. We are simply letting you know about
some (not by any means all!) of the “things to do” around
the North Country over the summer months. This brief is
meant to be a starting point – we encourage you to go
out and find and share other fun “things to do” with your
friends and Family!!
Fort Drum – The Army’s Best Kept Secret
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3. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Farmers Markets
• Watertown – around State Office Building on Washington
Street – Wednesdays, 6:30am to 3pm – starts 30 May
• Watertown - @ Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds on Coffeen Street
– Saturdays, 9am – 2pm, starts the end of June
• Carthage - @ Farmers Market Pavilion on Riverside Drive –
Fridays, 7am to 2pm – starts 25 May
• Clayton - @ Frink Park – Thursdays, 4pm – 8pm – starts
the end of June
• Cape Vincent - @ the Village Green – Saturdays, 8am –
2pm – starts June 23
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4. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Parades
• Armed Forces Day Parade – Watertown – Public
Square – 19 May @ 10am
• Memorial Day Parades
- May 27th, Theresa @ 3pm
- May 28th, Alexandria Bay @ 11am
- May 28th, Lowville @ 10am
• Jefferson County Dairy Festival – Watertown – State
Office Building on Washington Street, June 3 @ 6:30pm
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5. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Fishing
• Clayton Northern Pike Fishing Tournament – Saturday,
May 5th, phone 315-783-5126 for info
• Cape Vincent Fishing Derby, Saturday, May 26th, phone
Derby
315-654-2481 for info
• 1000 Islands Bass Open, Gananoque, Ontario, July 7-8,
Open
www.canadasproangler.com/BIGBASS.html
• Basic Fishing Class, Minna Anthony Common Nature
Class
Center, Wellesley Island State Park, 26 May, 16 June, 11
August, 1 September – 11 am to 1pm, email:
kimbrie.cullen@parks.ny.gov
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6. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Music & Entertainment
• Homegrown Live Music Festival – May 12, Kingston,
Ontario – www.downtownkingston.ca
• DPAO Summer Concert Series – Watertown Fairgrounds,
www.dpao.org
- Blake Shelton, July 6
- Bill Cosby, July 28
- Journey, August 14
• Marshall Tucker Band – August 17, Clayton Opera House –
www.claytonoperahouse.org
• Rockin the Bay 23-26 Aug & Blues in the Bay 30 Aug – 3
Sept, www.visitalexbay.org
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7. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Wine
• Thousand Islands Winery, Alexandria Bay
Winery
www.thousandislandswinery.com
- Grape Blossom Festival, Saturday, May 26
- Winery Birthday Bash! (bbq, music & wine), July 14
• Coyote Moon Winery, Clayton
Winery
www.coyotemoonvineyards.com
- 3rd Annual Howl at the Moon, Saturday, July 28
- Bluegrass in the Vineyards, 25-26 August
- 2nd Annual Shore Dinner (benefits the TI Museum), July 20,
5pm – 8pm, dinner, hayrides, live music & wine!
www.timuseum.org
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8. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Independence Day Fireworks
• Clayton – 3 July @ dusk
• Alexandria Bay – 4 July @ dusk
• Sackets Harbor – 4 July @ dusk
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9. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
County Fairs
• Jefferson County: 10 July – 15 July, Alex T. Duffy
Fairgrounds, Watertown
• Lewis County: 17 July – 21 July, Lowville Fairgrounds,
FREE ADMISSION, parade & fireworks opening night,
www.lewiscountyfair.org
• St. Lawrence County: usually the first week of August,
Gouverneur, www.gouverneurfair.net
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10. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Craft Fairs Etc.
• Alexandria Bay Craft Fair – Scenic View Park Pavilion,
21-22 July, 10 am – 5pm, www.visitalexbay.org
• Can-Am Festival – Sackets Harbor – music, food, crafts
and fireworks! 21-22 July
• 34th Annual TI Stamp, Coin, Postcard, Jewelry, Gem &
Collectables Show – Clayton Rec Arena, 28 – 29 July
• Stone Mills Craft Fair – LaFargeville, 3 – 5 August
• 30th Annual Craft Show & Sale – Clayton Rec Arena, 25
- 26 August
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11. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Drive-Ins and IMAX
• Alexandria Bay Drive-Ins:
– www.baydrivein.com (double features, tickets prices range
from $2 - $6, 6 and under free)
• Black River Drive-Ins:
– www.blackriverdrivein.com (double or tripe features, tickets
prices range from $2 - $7, 6 and under free)
• MOST IMAX Theater – Syracuse
– www.most.org
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12. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Zoos
• Watertown – NYS Zoo at Thompson Park
– Parties and Picnics all summer
– www.nyszoo.org
• Syracuse – Rosamond Gifford Zoo
– Penguin Palooza & Asian Elephant Extravaganza!
– www.rosamondgiffordzoo.org
• Toronto, Canada – Toronto Zoo
– Only about 4 hours away
– www.torontozoo.com
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13. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
NY State Parks
Did you know there are 25 NYS Parks in the Thousand
Islands Region??!?
www.nysparks.com
Offering hiking, biking, camping, golfing, nature trails, nature
center activities, beaches, pools, kayaking and canoeing!!
Empire Passports = $65
Daily Pass = from $8 - $10 per car load
***Families with deployed Soldiers qualify for a FREE
EMPIRE PASSPORT – details are on the web site
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14. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Potpourri
• Horne’s Ferry – Cape Vincent
– Ferry to Wolf Island, Canada
– Opens May 1, www.hornesferry.com
• Highway Legends Car, Truck & Bike Show – Clayton
– 18 – 20 May, www.highwaylegends.us
• STRAWBERRY SEASON!!
– End of June - U-PICS ALL OVER
• Thousand Islands Hydroplane Regatta – Brockville,Ontario
– Speeds up to 170mph!
– 30 June – 1 July, www.brockvillehydroplaneracing.com
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15. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Potpourri
• Made in NY Festival – Sackets Harbor/Madison Barracks
– 7 July - 75 NY State Product Vendors
• New York State Hog Rally – Alexandria Bay
– 12 – 14 July, www.nyshogrally.com
• 44th Annual French Festival – Cape Vincent
– 14 & 15 July - food, crafts, parade, fireworks!
• 48th Annual Boat Show & Auction – Clayton
– 3 – 5 August, Antique Boat Museum, www.abm.org
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16. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Potpourri
• Woodsmen Field Days – Boonville
– 17 – 19 August, www.starinfo.com/woodsmen
• Pirate Invasion – Alexandria Bay
– 10 – 19 August, www.visitalexbay.org
• Bobcats, Bears & Brews – Watertown
– NYS Zoo at Thompson Park
– 11 August, www.nyszoo.org
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17. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Destination Fun:
• NYS Fair – 23 August – September 3, www.nysfair.org
• Watkins Glenn Race Track – races and wine festivals!
• Montreal and Quebec! Ooh la la!
Quebec
• Finger Lakes Wine Tours
• Enchanted Forest Water Safari, Old Forge, NY
• Adirondacks/ Lake Placid
• Niagara Falls, Buffalo
• Lake George – The Great Escape Theme Park
• Saratoga Springs – Horse Racing & Concerts (SPAC)
• Burlington, VT (Ben & Jerry’s!!!)
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18. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Resources:
www.visit1000islands.com
www.watertowndailytimes.com/section/events
www.wwnytv.com/features/craigs-to-do-list
www.newzjunky.com (local events @ left margin)
www.watertownny.com
Fort Drum – The Army’s Best Kept Secret
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19. FORT DRUM NEW YORK
Good Luck!
Be Safe!
Have fun!
Enjoy the
Summer!!
Fort Drum – The Army’s Best Kept Secret
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