Meatball Madness at the Fairgrounds

Meatball Madness

Elmcrest’s 13th Annual Meatball Madness is scheduled for Sunday, March 26 in the International Pavilion at the New York State Fairgrounds.

Chefs from Syracuse’s favorite restaurants will be vying for the trophy awarded for the Best Meatballs in Town. The popular family event is held from noon to 3 p.m. and will benefit Elmcrest Children’s Center. The event includes an Italian buffet by Dominick’s, meatball samples, wine and cheese tastings, a silent auction and music from Mickey Vendetti and the Good Times Band.

Tickets are on sale at all Tops Friendly Markets and Dominick’s. Tickets are $15 for adults at the door and $10 for children 6-12. For information, visit elmcrest.org.

Wizarding Weekend

Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo will present Wizarding Weekend, its first-ever two day wizarding event for children and families. The event on Sunday, March 26 runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wizarding Weekend allows families to celebrate all things magical while learning about the real animals that inspire their favorite wizarding stories and adventures. Attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite magical character.

Activities include crafts, face painting, photo booths, magical potion demonstrations, a Care of Magical Creatures class; keeper chats, an owl meet and greet, and Quidditch team tryouts. In the spirit and magic of the popular Harry Potter books and films, children can participate in a Wizard Sorting Ceremony to discover if they’re a Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff or Gryffindor. Complimentary wands will be given to the first 500 children to visit the sorting room each day while supplies last.

Blood drive

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive on Tuesday, March 28 at Knowles Cazenovia, Inc., 2777 Route 20, Cazenovia, from 12:304:30 p.m.

Free movie

Sullivan Free Library in Chittenango will show the movie “In Dubious Battle” at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29 in the Community Room. The 2016 movie, rated R, runs 110 minutes. Admission and popcorn are free; viewers are welcome to bring their own beverage and snacks.

The movie, starring Natt Wolf, James Franco and Robert Duvall, is based on John Steinbeck’s novel about farm workers in California in the 1930s.

Oneida Library

Wednesday, March 29 at 6:30 p.m. Family Story Hour for young children age 2 up to second graders and their parents or guardians complete with stories, games and fun activities to engage children’s imaginations and stimulate their language skills.

Saturday, April 1 at 11 a.m., The Road to the 19th Amendment Part 2. Historian and popular lecturer Tom Henry returns to the OPL to reveal the political saga leading up to the women’s suffrage amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920 and its fateful consequences.

Do you have

Your tickets to the 84th Annual Tigris Shrine Circus appearing in Syracuse March 31, April 1 and April 2 at the Toyota Coliseum? For tickets call 315-478-0277.

Vigil planned

CrossRoads Community Church will sponsor a candlelight vigil service to mark the beginning of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month on Saturday, April 1 at 7 p.m. at the church, 1751 Fyler Road.

The vigil, Inspiring Hope, will honor individuals and their families who have been impacted by domestic and sexual violence. Survivor Joanne Smith will share her story.

The service is presented in partnership with the Help Restore Hope Center, Church of the Nazarene and Liberty Resources. For more information, contact John Spiridigliozzi at 315- 4307095.

Student artwork

The Canastota Central Schools will display their students’ artwork in the Lawson Community Room of the Canastota Public Library for the month of April.

An artist reception will be held on April 4 at 5 p.m. The reception is open to the public.

The teen book club, Page Turners, will meet from 6-7:30 p.m. on April 5 to discuss “Raymie Nightingale” by Kate DiCamillo.

The club is open to students in grades 5-10.

The Adult Book Club will meet Tuesday, March 28 for its monthly meeting to discuss the March selection, “George Washington’s Secret Six” by Brian Kilmeade. New members are welcome.

Lenten fish fries

Holy Family Church will serve a haddock dinner each Friday through April 7 from 4-6:30 p.m.

Dinner includes fish, potato, salad bar and beverage for $9. Take outs will be available for $8; call (315) 829-2820 after 3 p.m. to order. The church is located at 4352 Peterboro St., Vernon.

Ukrainian Egg class

A class in Ukrainian Egg Decoration will be held on Saturday, April 8 at the Sherrill Kenwood Free Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The class is open to the public and will be taught by Linda Evans.

The cost is $25. You must register in order to attend as space is limited. To register please call 315-363-5980.