The Victorian Leisure Fair Coming Summer 2010 to Rome, New York
July 31 through September 5th (Weekends Only)
at the Historic Erie Canal Village
This summer take a step back in time to the age of innovation and industry that was known as the Victorian Era. Historic Events LLC presents the first annual Victorian Leisure Fair at the Erie Canal Village in Rome.

The Victorian Leisure Fair will be a cultural and entertainment venue with shows, games, shopping, dining, and living history. Sherlock Holmes and other costumed characters will roam the streets interacting with visitors while re-enactors portray daily life in the Victorian era. Original stage shows, such as The Gilbert and Sullivan Review, and Peter Pan and Wendy will be performed live. Ride the steam train or journey down the canal on a horse drawn packet boat. Children will get the opportunity to get knighted when Queen Victoria arrives in the afternoon to tour the fair. With something for each member of the family, The Victorian Leisure Fair is setting out to become the weekend destination for families throughout Central and Upstate New York this summer.

Welcome to the Erie Canal Village...A Step Into History

Erie Canal Village is an outdoor living history museum. It is a reconstructed 19th century settlement on the site where, on July 4, 1817, the first shovelful of earth was turned for the construction of the original Erie Canal. Relax as our horse drawn Packet Boat plies a section of the enlarged canal giving visitors a taste of early 19th century water travel.

The village is home to three museums: The Erie Canal Museum, which unfolds the story of the Erie Canal from the first proposals for an improved route to the West through the emergence of the Barge Canal System in 1918; The Harden museum which exhibits a collection of horse drawn vehicles that range from utilitarian farm equipment to an elegant Laundaulet. In order to present a clearer view of 19th century travel, vehicles are placed on samples of three types of roads: dirt, plank and cobblestone; and third, The New York State Museum of Cheese building, which once housed the Merry and Weeks cheese factory in nearby Verona, NY. This building explores the history of cheese making and its relationship to the importance of the Erie Canal in New York State during the 19th century.

In addition to the museums, other typical structures found during the 19th century can be viewed such as Bennett's Tavern, Blacksmith Shop, Railroad Station, Ice House, Wood Creek School, Maynard Methodist Church, Shull Victorian House, Settler's House, Crosby House and Canal Store.

Also, a 15 minute orientation video explains the history of the building of the Erie Canal.