Grand July 4 at the Point

The Sodus Bay Historical Society is ready for the July 3 and 4 Independence Weekend Celebration at the Sodus Point Lighthouse Museum.

A newly-restored front porch, new Director Pat Kalima and 26 newly-trained docents and gift shop volunteers are eager to greet visitors at the charming 1870 Light House located at 7606 Ontario St., Sodus Point. The Bloomin' Weedeaters (volunteer gardeners) have been working overtime to make the Lake Ontario bluff setting picture-perfect.

The fun begins on July 3 at 8 a.m. with the opening of the art and craft market on the Light House lawn. Simultaneously the antique and flea market opens on the corner of Bay and Ontario Streets, kitty-corner to the Sodus Point Fire Department. Highlights of both areas include luscious homemade fudge, funky jewelry, Beanie Babies, Mexican food, and Amish baked goods.

At 10 a.m. the Light House Museum opens for the day. Visitors may (for no charge but a goodwill donation), climb to the top of the Light House tower to view the fully functional Fresnel lens, a complicated system of optical prisms that intensifies a beam of light to guide wayward ships to home port.

A multi-media exhibit on the Fresnel lens system is a popular attraction in the museum, along with antique navigational equipment, ship models, and photos, post cards and paintings outlining the history of the Sodus Bay/Lake Ontario area. The Chamberlain Nautical Library and a quick browse through the books, cards, toys and light house models in the gift shop complete your visit.

From 2 to 4 p.m. on Sat., July 3 the band Midnight Hour performs a free concert in the Light House gazebo. Bring your own seating and sunscreen to enjoy this group's nostalgic light rock sound. The museum and vendor booths close at 5 p.m.

Sun., July 4 starts out with a bang (of a starting pistol) when the 5K Run begins. Registration is at 8 a.m.

Have Breakfast on the Bluff served by the Sodus Chamber of Commerce while waiting for your favorite runner. Pancakes, eggs and all the fixings are available from 7 to 11 a.m. Art, craft and flea market booths open at 8 a.m., with the Light House Museum following at 10 a.m.

The Upstate String Band strums patriotic Americana banjo music in the lighthouse gazebo at 11 a.m. A second free concert at 3 p.m. by Gap Mangione and his Big Band rounds out the afternoon. Refreshments such as grilled hot dogs, popcorn and ice cold lemonade will be sold by the volunteers of the Sodus Bay Historical Society. Proceeds benefit the Lighthouse Museum.

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