Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Look no further than the Salmon River Winter Festival, held Jan. 17-19 throughout northern Oswego County! The weekend’s biggest draw is its annual food challenge, during which visitors will try delicious offerings from local businesses and vote for their favorite.
A pork belly macaroni and cheese sample from Pond Pit BBQ during last year’s Salmon River Winter Festival.
How does the food challenge work?
Each night of the winter festival has a different food challenge. Numerous local businesses sign up to participate, and visitors will purchase ballots and then cast their vote for their favorite. The event kicks off on Friday from 4 to 9 p.m. with macaroni and cheese. Saturday’s chicken wing walk challenge is held from noon to 6 p.m., and the chili challenge is on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
A Chili sample from last year’s Salmon River Winter Festival.
How much food do we sample?
Attendees can travel to as many or as few participating locations as they would like to sample food and enter their votes. Sample sizes are two ounces for macaroni and cheese, two wings for the chicken wings, and two ounces for chili.
Pulled pork macaroni and cheese sample from 11 North Bar and Grill during last year’s Salmon River Winter Festival.
What is the cost?
Beginning on Wednesday, Jan. 15, pre-sale ballots can be purchased at the Half-Shire Historical Society (1100 Co. Rte. 48, Richland, N.Y.) or at Designs of Elegance (3891 Rome Rd., Pulaski, N.Y.) for a discount of $18 for all three food challenges. Starting on Friday, Jan. 17, single-day ballots will be sold at each participating location. The ballots are $5 each for the macaroni and cheese and chili challenges and $10 for the chicken wing walk. Maps are provided on the back of each ballot listing participating locations and addresses.
A wing sample at Mill House Market from last year’s Salmon River Winter Festival.
What businesses are participating in the food challenge?
The list below shows all the participating restaurants. If an establishment is not participating in all three challenges, it is noted in parentheses. (MC-macaroni and cheese, W-chicken wings, C-chili)
- Altmar Hotel: 6 Mill St., Altmar; 315-298-5460(MC, C only)
- Mill House Market: 3790 NYS Rte. 13, Pulaski; 315-298-4104(MC, W only)
- Stefano’s Pizzeria: 3852 NYS Rte. 13, Pulaski; 315-298-1122 (W only)
- Pulaski VFW: 4815 Salina St., Pulaski; 315-298-2660(C only)
- RiverHouse Restaurant: 4818 Salina St. Pulaski; 315-509-4281(MC, W only)
- LD’s on the River: 4838 Jefferson St., Pulaski; 315-509-4254
- Kallet Theater: 4842 Jefferson St., Pulaski; 315-298-0007 (W only)
- Ma Barker’s Tavern: 5095 US Rte. 11, Pulaski; 315-298-2475 (MC, C only)
- 11 North Bar and Grill: 5233 US Rte. 11, Pulaski; 315-298-5858
- End Zone/Factory Sports Bar: 3435 Maple Ave, Pulaski; 315-298-7788
- Richland Hotel: 243 Main St., Richland; 315-298-0303
- Brandon’s BBQ at the Half-Shire Historical Society: 1100 Co. Rte. 48, Richland; 315-298-2986
- Olde School Pub (The Martin Inn & Pub): 2066 Harwood Dr., Sandy Creek; 315-387-7047
- Buster’s Pit Stop 2: 6059 S. Main St., Sandy Creek; 315-387-7001
- Pond Pit BBQ: 8883 NYS Rte. 3, Sandy Creek; 315-387-7261
- Grace Point Church: 228 Co. Rte. 62, Pulaski; 315-298-6070 (C only)
- 3M’s Sandbar and Restaurant: 8431 NYS Rte. 3, Pulaski; 315-387-7116
- Kyle’s Wigwam: 45 Wigwam Dr., Pulaski; 315-387-7177(W only)
- Fairways and Dreams: 6927 NYS Rte. 3, Pulaski; 315-509-4542(MC, C only)
Will restaurants be doing anything special during the food challenge?
Multiple establishments will host live music throughout the weekend! Enjoy delectable samples and hear performances by popular artists in Oswego County’s music scene. On Friday night, head to the End Zone/Factory Sports Bar for performances by Brett Falso and Joe Battles from 7 to 10 p.m. On Saturday afternoon, Joe Battles will be at 11 North Bar and Grill from noon to 3 p.m., and Brett Falso will be at LD’s on the River from 1 to 4 p.m. At 7 p.m. on Saturday, Roadhouse Prophets will be at the Olde School Pub (The Martin Inn & Pub). Mariah McConnell performs from 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturday at the End Zone/Factory Sports Bar and from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday at the Richland Hotel.
The Half-Shire Historical Society will be hosting opening ceremonies on Saturday at its Grant Memorial Barn, located behind the main building. A ceremonial torch lighting will take place at noon, followed by a delightful broom dance performance by the Lake Ontario Broom Riders.
The Lake Ontario Broom Riders with the Salmon River Winter Festival bear at last year’s event.
What else is there to do besides the food challenge?
Enjoy the “winter” in the Salmon River Winter Festival by heading to Selkirk Shores State Park (7101 NYS Rte. 3, Pulaski, N.Y.) for some outdoor fun! While renovations to the park limit where visitors can access, activities are still offered during the weekend. From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, go on a fun “Hector the Fox” mystery walk, rent snowshoes for free, and warm up with free hot chocolate and popcorn in the park office.
For those wanting to stay indoors, the Half-Shire Historical Society will host a craft show with free coffee, tea and hot cocoa from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The family fun continues at Half-Shire on Monday from noon to 5 p.m. with the kids’ craft day! The event includes a light lunch, crafts, games and other activities.
If you want to have an especially creative weekend, head to the Salmon River Fine Arts Center (4848 Jefferson St., Pulaski, N.Y.) for its unique classes! Two classes will be held on Saturday, with the first from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The first session is an opportunity to play with collage layering techniques, while the second session focuses on capturing small details with pastels from 2 to 4 p.m. Both classes have a fee of $25 each and are open to those aged 14 and older. For more information or to sign up for a class, visit the art center’s website at https://salmonriverfineartscenter.com/.
What if I have questions?
Details on the event will continue to be posted on the Salmon River Winter Festival Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OswegoCountywintercarnival. If you still need assistance, feel free to call the Oswego County Tourism office at 315-349-8322.
For more information on events in Oswego County, visit our events calendar at https://visitoswegocounty.com/events/.