The best way to bring visitors back to upstate New York is through their stomachs.
That is the thinking behind a new initiative to bolster tourism, ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic, in western and central New York, the Finger Lakes region and the Southern Tier.
The Upstate Eats Food Trail, a 225-mile “gastronomical road trip,” stretches from Buffalo to Rochester to Syracuse and Binghamton, exposing travelers to unique local cuisine and attractions.
The concept grew from talks that began 11 months ago among officials from four tourism organizations Visit Buffalo Niagara, Visit Rochester, Visit Syracuse and Visit Binghamton.
Even back then, “well before any vaccines were on the horizon,” it was clear that some sort of campaign would be needed to help address the devastating effects of the pandemic on the hospitality industry, Ed Healy, vice president of Visit Buffalo Niagara, said at a Wednesday morning press conference held via Zoom.
Featuring new performers with every show, the weekly, award-winning Piano Bar Live! (PBL!) streams this Tuesday, May 4 at 7:15 pm ET, with host Scott Barbarino and guests Alexis Aguiar, Terron Brooks, Christian Daizey, Adrienne Haan and Marissa Mulder, plus Mystery Guests and MORE!
PBL! continues the long-established tradition of the piano bar-that special place where we can gather, entertain, support and create, as we connect with live music. Best of all, PBL! is the the unique chance to see veteran performers pass the torch to the next generation of blossoming young talent. The line-up always features a mix of veteran and rising star performers from the world of piano bars, cabaret and Broadway.
Drag Queen Bingo is coming to Owensboro. Get your dobbers and bring 'em to the Owensboro Convention Center on Saturday, June 12th. Tickets are on sale now!
Scott Simon is one of America's most admired writers and broadcasters. He is the host of Weekend Edition Saturday and is one of the hosts of NPR's morning news podcast Up First. He has reported from all fifty states, five continents, and ten wars, from El Salvador to Sarajevo to Afghanistan and Iraq. His books have chronicled character and characters, in war and peace, sports and art, tragedy and comedy.