Central New York weather changes quickly. While areas of Oneida and Herkimer counties saw heavy snowfall and power outages early this week, temperatures are expected to rise on the weekend, especially Sunday.

Warmer weather combined with National Picnic Day this Saturday, April 23, calls for a picnic. Here's a guide with some tips, including where to go and things to consider when having a picnic in the Mohawk Valley.

From cheese and crackers to jam and bread and butter, there are specific items that are found in almost every picnic basket.

Adirondack Cheese Company in Barneveld carries all kinds of items for picnics. Store manager Debby Leiker said cheeses, olives, cheese spreads, sausage, crackers and mustard are great light items to pack for an outdoor meal. 

"That's a very hearty picnic meal to me," Leiker said.

Some people go as far as preparing some chicken, but people can keep it simple with sandwiches or wraps and some charcuterie items, she said.

Some of those items require refrigeration, so using insulated totes and backpacks will protect food and beverages. Most of them come with a wine bottle opener and some even come in backpack style or over the shoulder, Leiker said.

Anna Sofer, owner of The Compound in Utica and Clinton, makes charcuterie boards on a regular basis. These are great for picnics, she said, adding there are many ways of making your own board with a variety of products. 

Sofer said if people want to keep their picnic low-cost, cheeses and meats might be more expensive, but that jam, crackers, bread, butter, nuts, fruits and even cookies or pastries are more affordable items to fill a picnic basket with.

For beverages, Sofer said lighter, sparkly wines are best for picnics, and she encourages people to purchase from New York State wineries such as Anthony Road Wine Company.

The Mohawk Valley has numerous parks and natural spaces. While some may close during the winter season and opening in May, others are open year-round and fully accessible.

When spending time outdoors in the Spring, bugs are expected, especially if there is food involved. Ticks are one of the insects to look out for as the weather warms up as they can carry diseases such as Lyme disease. 

Leiker said it's better to be protected by using bug-repellent. Other tips include covering parts of the body that could be exposed, wearing enclosed shoes and tucking pant legs and shirts, according to the New York State Department of Health. Performing "tick-checks" on the body and showering after being outdoors is also recommended, the CDC says.

National Picnic Day almost coincides with Earth Day on April 22. Having a picnic or spending any time outdoors is an opportunity to be conscious of the environment and leaving spaces clean and picking up trash, Leiker said. 

She recommended bringing a bag for the garbage and putting any leftover food in reusable beeswax bags to replace single-use bags. She said people also can bring cloth napkins instead of paper napkins to help eliminate garbage.

Maria M. Silva covers food, drink and culture in the Mohawk Valley for the Observer-Dispatch. Email her at mariamsilva@gannett.com