Friday at the Fest

When we started working on the 30th Anniversary Ithaca Festival we wanted to put together an event that was special. Well today seemed special to me.  Set up for the day was smooth. There were crowds on the Ithaca Commons from 12noon til 9pm AND The weather was great ALL day.

 I actually had some time to see some of the performances today (it’s rare that I have time to enjoy the music) and it confirmed to me that we have so much great talent in this town. Dancers, musicians, singers, poets, fine artists, crafters, street performers, food vendors, and more - it is without a doubt one of the most talented towns in the country.

The performances ended with Kevin Kinsella at the Bernie Milton Pavilion. The band put so much energy into their performance. I went to thank Kevin, who dripping with sweat told me that he wanted to do it again next year. That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.

It made me realize that my real goal this year was to add energy to the Festival so that it can be what it is for the next 30 years. I can’t wait for tomorrow and Sunday to see more, more, more. See you there!

Vicki Kysar
Festival Director

The Parade - Spectacular & Heartbreaking

What a wonderful vision! Cayuga Street lined with people, all out to celebrate their community at the Ithaca Festival Parade. Reflections of our wonderful town that we call home, lined up as part of 90 different entries (We will post some photos soon). Balloons, Mylar, aluminum foil, and a lot of spirit, put together the biggest and most fun filled parade we have seen in some time.

Then the storm came. The challenge was then evacuating the parade route. No one wanted to leave. I didn’t want to leave. I was thinking about the amount of energy that goes into each and every entry, our staff planning, and the preparations of the city, it was hard to believe that it could be put to rest by a thunderstorm. But it is what it is.

We did however get the music going again at around 8pm. The Destination rocked Dewitt Park and the people in the crowd, who stuck it out through the weather, were dancing, singing and celebrating.

There are more storms in the forecast, but I realized that it doesn’t stop Ithacans, they just keep on truckin’. See you tomorrow!

Vicki Kysar
Director

The Parade Route has changed!

Alas, the Parade Route has changed again.

The new parade route for the Ithaca Festival, May 31st at 6:30pm, will now take place down Cayuga Street from Lewis Street to Buffalo Street. The route had to change (twice for those who have read the previous announcement) so that we didn’t cross over Seneca Street. What it will allow for is no breaks in the parade to open streets for traffic. And, it gives us an opportunity to have our community block party in Dewitt Park.

We will be finishing the Parade with the party in Dewitt Park with the band The Destination. There will be food, music, and a plethora of community spirit! So if you are looking for a fun way to spend your evening after the Parade has gone by, please do join us in the park. Parade entrants are encouraged to hang their coats and stay for a while.

The staging for the parade will take place on Cayuga Street between Lewis and Lincoln utilizing Lewis and Jay Streets for additional space.

If you have concerns or questions about the new route, please let us know!
Cheerio!
Vicki