Last week, I attended an event with New York State’s Division of Tourism, previewing summer events and activities taking place around the state. Many of New York’s diverse regions were represented at the event, held in Midtown Loft in Manhattan, including the Adirondacks, Catskills, Finger Lakes, Central New York, Greater Niagara, Hudson Valley, Long Island and Thousand Islands-Seaway.

Several events and festivals will be celebrated throughout the summer, including the Rochester Lilac Festival, showing off Monroe County’s most fragrant and beautiful lilacs May 9–18; Radio Woodstock 10^th Annual Mountain Jam Fest at Hunter Mountain, hosted in the Catskills June 5–8 and featuring the Allman Brothers Band; Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, one of the nation’s leading festivals, held June 20–28 in the Finger Lakes; and the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, taking place Aug. 6–10 in Jamestown, Lucy’s hometown.

While previewing the state’s new developments, guests sampled tasty dishes and indigenous beverages, including wines, beers and ciders created in the Hudson Valley, Thousand Islands, Finger Lakes, Central New York and Long Island. Favorites included a tasty s’mores treat and Fire and Blood, a new beer inspired by the HBO hit show Games of Thrones from Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, N.Y.

During recent summers, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting the Catskills for hiking, camping and exploring farmers’ markets in the region. After attending the press event and learning more, I hope to get there again and do quick weekend trips to other regions to participate in all the exciting activities happening this summer.

— Monique Barrett, eFlyer editor/associate editor