Archive: Around Town

The Ithaca/Tompkins County Convention and Visitors Bureau, announced Tuesday the details for the 7th annual Winter Recess “Teachers Week,” a festival that will take place from February 15-24, 2013 at various locations across Ithaca and Tompkins County. The festival, anticipated to draw over 5,000 attendees, includes several free or deeply discounted offers for participants, plus social events, contests, family fun, and county-wide recognition for teachers and school district employees. A wide range of activities feature highlights like guided frozen waterfall tours, the 2nd annual Fiber Arts Festival, and an opportunity to view the original manuscript of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by other Civil War items.

To kick off the event, local businesses have opened their doors to teachers with free events including an opening party on Friday, February 15th at Corks & More Wine Bar featuring a complimentary wine tasting for teachers and their guests, plus mini-massages provided by Rasa Spa. Event participants can follow this up with a Saturday full of fun food events, including the annual Chili Cook-Off in the Ithaca Commons, hosted by the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, and then head to the Razorback BBQ Chicken Wing Eating Contest at The Haunt, to compete for the title of chicken wing champion. Additional events including an Ithaca Teachers Association and NYS United Teachers welcome party at the Holiday Inn on Sunday, February 17th, and a spa happy hour party at Satori Spa on Monday, February 18th are just the beginning of this event-filled week.

“In a city built on education, Ithaca community members truly understand and value the devoted teachers in NYS and beyond, and have worked very hard individually to offer them a sincere thank-you during the annual Winter Recess event,” said Fred Bonn, Director, Ithaca/Tompkins County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “From incredible discounts and offers to free special events for teachers and their families, local business owners have once again rolled out the red carpet for educators to take a break and have a relaxing and fun week full of great food, music, wine, family and fun.”

Teachers and school distinct employees are also invited to join the city for the 2nd annual Fiber Arts Festival at La Tourelle Resort for an opportunity is meet local artists with unique fibers, hand spun yarns, pottery and more. For the aspiring outdoor enthusiast, choose to embark on a frozen waterfall tour guided by a certified NYS park ranger, or even a chauffeured luxury van. For the music and theatre lover, there are acts across town to enjoy, ranging from local artists like Vitamin L, to national acts like Galumpha, performing at the historic State Theatre.

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