Archive: Around Town

Downtown Ithaca's Winter Festival 2013 is set to take place November 30th - December 14th all over Downtown with a list of special events including culinary treats, Restaurant Week and a Chowder Cook-off.  Winter festival contains some of the most magnificent events in upstate New York  Ithaca Ice Wars, the Arrival of Santa from Center Ithaca’s Rooftop, the Runway Holiday Fashion Show, The Nutcracker at the State Theater, and much much more.

The first week kicks off on November 30th with Small Business Saturday and Ithaca’s Restaurant Week.  Shopping local for creative gifts and hungry bellies has never been so easy.   Winter festival hosts a wonderful array of brilliant art whether it is culinary, visual, or live right before your eyes. Friday December 6th a walkable tour of downtown galleries from 5-8pm for First Friday Holiday Gallery Night is chocked full with over 29 participating galleries and the Runway Holiday Fashion Show in Center Ithaca from 7-8pm.  Holiday, Evening and Daytime looks can be found at this local retail and designers Showcase.

Saturday December 7th Santa's Arrival to Downtown takes place at noon.  Santa and his elves will descend from above to visit waiting children and parents in front of center Ithaca followed by photos with Santa, games, music, dance and the Second Annual Habitat for Humanity Cookie Walk- 10-2pm in Center Ithaca.

The tasty exploration of food does not stop after the first week of Winter Festival.  Chowder Cook-off is back for its fourth season on the 200 North Aurora Street Block on Saturday December 14th from noon until 5pm.  Tickets are $10 for 10 tastes of delightful seafood, vegetarian, and meat chowders.  On sale December 2nd at the Downtown Visitors Center located next to 15 STEPS in Center Ithaca. 

Ithaca Ice Wars takes place on the days surrounding the Chowder Cook-off.  Ithaca's Ice Wars Ice Carving Competition is a National Ice Carving Association sanctioned event and will take place from December 13th-14th. Twelve acclaimed ice carvers will compete in three competitions to win the prize money.

On the first night Friday December 13th the Speed Carving Competition & Apres-Ski Party 5 to 9pm in front of Center Ithaca in the center of the Commons is the location to be this winter season.  On Saturday the Carving competition continues with two additional competitions on this national circuit. The Carve & Deliver and Showpiece competitions are all day from 9am -6pm.  See these great sculptors use a myriad of tools to create what seems impossible live in the center of the commons.

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