Celebrate Cascade on the Keuka Outlet

PENN YAN-For nearly two centuries, the waterfalls located along the Keuka Outlet hosted mill races, sluices, gears, shafts and multiple buildings housing the water wheels of hydropower and industry. Through the many decades, these facilities employed hundreds of people and fed thousands more. Gradually, as commerce changed the hydropower uses of yesteryear gave way to the recreational uses of today. The return to nature from industry allows for increased access to the waterfall for fishing, picnicking, hiking, and photography.
The Friends of the Outlet (FOTO), the not-for-profit organization that preserves and protects the seven-mile Keuka Outlet Trail, announces the second annual Celebrate Cascade on Sunday, Sept. 18, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Cascade Falls, which are located approximately one-half mile east of the intersection of Ridge and Outlet Trail Roads in Penn Yan.
It is an event for all age groups, families and people with varying degrees of "outdoorsy-ness" to collectively enjoy the beauty of Cascade Falls. Similar to last year, there will be free live music provided by The Soul Section of Geneva, and a second band, St. Vith will also be performing. Various lawn games, such as corn hole, ring toss, bocce and Frisbee will be available, as well as children's activities, food trucks, and a vendor fair featuring an abundance of local refreshments and artists.
"Celebrate Cascade is the opportunity to bring people together on the Keuka Outlet Trail to honor our history and marvel at the splendor of the area on an early autumn day," Steve Stork, FOTO president said. "We are delighted to be using our new public pavilion and the renewed open green space at Cascade Falls. Participants at our September event will take in the breathtaking natural beauty of the Cascade waterfall with access that has not been seen in nearly two centuries. Bring your camera, fishing gear and maybe a folding chair."
The earliest history of the Cascade Mill dates back to the 1820s. The region once housed grist mills for flour, corn and grain, as well as the manufacturing of paper, chemicals and even the sale of rubber tires.
The important history of 20-foot Cascade Falls and the surrounding area is well documented in "A Scrapbook of Cascade Mills on the Keuka Outlet Trail" written by Leona Jensen in 2007 and is available at the Penn Yan Public Library.
The outlet was known as the Minnesettah River by the Seneca Nation, the native Americans who inhabited much of upstate New York and likely created the first trail along the ever-changing waterway connecting Keuka and Seneca Lakes.
The event is free and open to the public and will feature the following:
• St. Vith and Soul Section - Free music
• "Games of Throw" & Children's Activities
• Refreshments provided by Anthony Road Wine Company, Scout Vineyards, Lake Drum Brewery, Climbing Bines and Laurentide Beer Company.
• Artist, Crafts and Vendor Faire: Lavender Crest Farm, the Primitive Garden Shop, Black Oak Wool Company, Keuka by Crissy - The Art Studio, and Spellcraft Woodworks Hand Made Gifts.
• Food Trucks: Hangry Bickering, LaMonarka and Seneca Farms Creamery
• Event sponsors include: Bernunzio Uptown Music, Lyons National Bank and Stork Insurance Agency.
For more information, go to www.keukaoutlettrail.org