Roots & Rhythm: A Farm to Fork Tasting Event

If your perfect Friday night involves good food, live music, and a whole lot of local flavor, mark your calendar. The first annual Roots & Rhythm is coming to the Cortland County Music Park on May 8, and it’s shaping up to be one heck of a night.

This farm to fork tasting event will showcase a vibrant collection of the Finger Lakes region’s agriculture and a tasty tour of its culinary craftsmanship. Guests can sample time honored recipes passed down through generations, alongside fresh from the farm favorites. In other words, come ready to snack your way through Cortland County, one farm at a time.

Think farmers market meets barn dance. As you wander the grounds you can snack, sip, and repeat while enjoying live music by Molly & the Ringwalds, with an after show by featuring Dock Holiday on the outdoor stage. The Music Park will also be serving up local bison burgers and craft cocktails made with regional spirits, making it easy to settle in for a full evening of flavor and fun.

Roots & Rhythm is more than just a tasting event. It’s also a celebration of the local food movement here in Cortland County. At each tasting station, you’ll meet the farmer or maker behind the bite. Love what you taste? Don't worry, you can bring the flavor home with you. Each vendor will have plenty more from their farm or shop to sell, like a boutique farmers market. 

Shop tables filled with herbs, fresh baked bread, locally raised meats, craft spirits, maple treats, fresh flowers, and plenty of sweet surprises.

As if you needed it, here’s a little extra incentive to shop: every five items you purchase earns you an entry to win a limited edition Roots & Rhythm T shirt! Consider it a very delicious reason to stock up on local goods.

Roots & Rhythm is bringing together a wide range of farmers, makers, and food artisans. Participating vendors include:

• Bronhon Farms
• Cherry Knoll Farm
• Cobblestone Valley Farm
• Coop Scoop Homestead
• Corl’s Cooking
• Cortland Beer Company
• Dragonfyre Distillery
• Ensign Maple
• Freetown Food Forest
• Frosty Morning Farm
• Food & Ferments
• Hollenbeck’s Cider Mill
• Nex-Gen Farms
• Nipotina Herb Farm
• Sinfully Sweet Café
• Trinity Valley Dairy

Enjoy a lineup of farm fresh bites and creative tastings throughout the evening, such as fresh baked sourdough served with local herb infused olive oil dip, sweet and savory cheese bites topped with Hollenbeck’s rich apple cider reduction, sweet and salty maple cream crunchers, wild harvested ramp salt popcorn, and tender Nex-Gen beef bites, just to name a few.

Even better, the evening supports a great cause. Proceeds from Roots & Rhythm benefit Seven Valleys Health Coalition, the good folks behind the Cortland Harvest initiative, helping strengthen the local food system and connect residents with fresh, locally produced food. Remember, calories don't count when they're for a good cause!

Roots & Rhythm Far to Fork Tasting Event in Cortland County:

Date: May 8
Time: 6–9 PM

Location:
Cortland County Music Park
1824 NY-13
Cortland, NY 13045

Tickets: $20 per person

Click here to purchase tickets online or stop by the Cortland County Visitors Center at 42 Main Street, Cortland, NY (cash only).

Good food. Good music. Good people. Not a bad way to spend a Friday night in Cortland County.

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