Every summer, the west lawn of the Sherwood Inn transforms into one of the most enjoyable afternoons in Skaneateles. The Annual Rhythm & Blues Festival has been running since the late 1990s — now in its late twenties as an event — and it has become a beloved fixture on the village’s summer calendar.
The festival takes place on a Sunday in late July. It typically coincides with the Antique and Classic Boat Show weekend. No cover charge applies. Just bring a chair, find a spot on the lawn, and settle in. The lake is right across the street. The music runs from 1pm to 7pm.
Great Music, Great Food, No Cover Charge
Four popular regional bands take to the outdoor stage across the course of the afternoon. Past performers have included Count Blastula, Mere Mortals, Sirsy, and the Diana Jacobs Band — a lineup that draws both loyal regulars and first-time visitors in equal measure. The Sherwood Inn’s kitchen supplies the food throughout — BBQ ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, burgers, hotdogs, and cold beer. It’s the kind of afternoon that Skaneateles does better than almost anywhere.
The atmosphere is relaxed, community-minded, and genuinely fun. People dance. People linger. Nobody seems to be in a hurry to leave. And with the lake just across the street and the village in full summer swing around you, it’s hard to imagine a better way to spend a Sunday.
Find them at the Sherwood Inn, 26 West Genesee Street, Skaneateles. Check www.sherwoodinns.com for the exact date each summer — it typically falls on the last Sunday of July.