🎡 🌭 Checking off your summer bucket list

Today in The 518

• What to do before summer fades into fall 🌻 🍂 

• Restaurant roundup, plus a grocery store in downtown Schenectady? 🛒

• A nail salon slash pot shop—what’s not to love?! 💨💅

• A charming Craftsman is our Home of the Week 🏡

Get it while it’s hot: Your summer bucket list 😅 

Where the heck did the summer go? Monday was the last sunset after 8 pm in 2024. The next time it happens: May 5, 2025. Wha???

In these last weeks before the kids go back to school and fall’s full embrace really sets in, here are some things to knock off your summer bucket list:

Get thee to a county fair: We love a good county fair. The Altamont County Fair opens today and runs through the weekend. Today only, kids 10 and under get in free (13 and under on other days). Highlights this year: Royal Hanneford Circus, Battle of Altamont: Pro Wrestling, demo derby, racing pigs and corgis, and a rodeo. And don’t miss our Guide to the Capital Region’s Best Fairs.

Stroll a street festival: Outdoor festivals are what summers are all about: soaking up the sun and indulging in good food and music. On Wednesday, the New York State Food Festival takes over the Empire State Plaza with Southern rockers 38 Special headlining. Admission is free. On Sunday, the annual Troy Pig Out is back for the first time since the pandemic with culinary competitors vying for best BBQ ($4-5 per tasting). There’s even a hot dog eating contest.

Other festivals this weekend: The Clifton Park Elks Car, Truck & Bike Show. Averill Park Music Fest at Butler Park. Brunswick Elks Car Show. Saratoga Arts Celebration. 

Plus, save the dates for: Albany Latin Festival on Aug. 24. Little Italy StreetFest in Schenectady on Sept. 7. Albany Waterfront Jazz Festival on Sept. 14. Pearlpalooza in downtown Albany on Sept. 21.

Hit up a summer concert series: We’ve been blessed with free concerts all summer long in the Capital District. Enjoy these before the season is out: Freedom Park Summer Concert Series (Scotia). Barker Park Free Kid’s Summer Concert Series (Troy). Powers Park Concert Series (Troy). Performing Arts at the Common (Clifton Park). Concerts in the Park (Ballston Spa). Jazz on Jay (Schenectady). Tuesday Nights in the Park (Colonie).

Get out and soak up the summer, y’all!

"A life without love is like a year without summer." –Unknown

After the lashing from Tropical Storm Debby last week, expect a return to spectacular weather with warm days and cooler nights.

Capital Region restaurant roundup

After two decades serving up authentic Cantonese dishes, Hong Kong Bakery & Bistro in Colonie is closing its doors on Aug. 26 because the owners have decided to retire. You can leave an appreciation on their Facebook retirement post. Slice of Glenville at 10 Glenridge Road has also permanently closed. And a spin-off of Restaurant 605 is taking over the former Ralph’s Tavern at 560 Madison Avenue in Albany. With an opening planned around Labor Day, 605Smash will feature—you guessed it—smashburgers and fried chicken sandwiches.

Finally: A grocery store in downtown Schenectady

Schenectady may finally get a grocery store in the heart of downtown. The Electric City Community Grocery has signed a letter of intent to occupy over 12,000 square feet of ground-floor space at 251-267 State Street. The co-op has already attracted more than 1,200 members. The city and county are pledging $4 million in funding for the project, which could be completed by late 2025. [Daily Gazette]

Nailed it: Cannabis & salon combo

For some people, getting in the right headspace might mean a toke. For others, it’s getting your nails done. Customers at Cussin’s Cannabis and Nail Salon can get both. The Schenectady store, touted as the first dispensary slash nail salon in the country, is having its grand opening on Friday. [News10]