🌱 Stampede Rodeo And Expo + Local Skatepark Honors 18-Year Old

Good morning, everybody! It's Wednesday in Utica and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in our community.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Mostly sunny and very warm. High: 89 Low: 56.
• Thursday: Hot with plenty of sunshine. High: 91 Low: 58.

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Here are the top three stories in Utica today:

1. The popular Utica Stampede Rodeo and Expo will return on Aug. 4 and 5 to the Adirondack Bank Center. The Stampede is an official American Professional Rodeo Association event and is the third rodeo event to be held in Utica. Some of the top bull riders on the circuit will be competing for a large cash prize. Tickets are now available at empirestatetix.com. (Rome Sentinel)
2. In nearby Rome, the Common Council approved a resolution to create a skatepark to honor 18-year-old Stone Mercurio. The Clarkson University student, who died Apr. 18, was a passionate skateboarder who felt that Rome needed a true skatepark. The park will be named SFM Skatepark and will be built at Bellamy Harbor Park. (Observer-Dispatch)
3. Down the road, Oriskany won the Section III Class D baseball title with starting pitcher Anthony Kernan and closer Eddie Wright leading the way over Belleville-Henderson. Oriskany won a classic pitching battle 1-0 at Onondaga Community College. Oriskany was the Class D runner-up last season and the win over Belleville-Henderson gives the school their second state title. (Rome Sentinel)

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Today and tomorrow in and around Utica:

Wednesday, May 31

• Mark Nanni Live Music At Fratello's Pizzeria, Frankfort (6:00 PM)

Thursday, June 1

• Art Storytime With The Utica Public Library At Munson - Art Odyssey (10:30 AM)

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From my notebook:

• The popular local restaurant 1886 Prime added a lunch option starting next week. The Frankfort restaurant has been dinner only since it opened last fall. The restaurant is known for its three varieties of pizza including a "Utica Style" upside-down pizza along with its "Prime Smash Burger." (WIBX AM 950)
• Bremer's Wine and Liquor will be having a 90th-anniversary celebration Friday, Jun. 9 at the Yahnundasis Golf Club in New Hartford, just 10 minutes away from Utica. The event will run from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. and features tastings, seminars, appetizers, and a cash bar. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting Bremer's directly by email, phone, or Facebook messenger. (Bremer's Wine and Liquor via Facebook)
• The weekly food truck series is back at Utica's Canal Park this summer on Tuesdays from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. At least a dozen food trucks will be on hand to serve a variety of food at the park including tacos and barbeque chicken. (Rome Sentinel)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday off right! I'll be in your inbox soon with your next update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.