Summer Event Series: The Best Things To Do in August

CORTLAND ARTS OFF MAIN

Saturday, August 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Join the Cortland Arts Connect at their Art, Music, Food & Wine Festival in historic downtown Cortland, now located in the McNeil's Backyard, nestled between Main, Central, and Church.  Explore the wide array of products from talented artists and artisans, including pottery, paintings, and jewelry.  There will be activities for children throughout the day at the Art Tent, including magic watercolor painting, clothes pin airplanes, doodlebug magnets, arts & crafts workshops, and a new pinwheel contest.  

Try your hand at the interactive chalk mural and marvel and the incredible talents of the 3-D chalk mural artist. 

Everyone's favorite wine tasting event will open at noon (for attendees 21 and over). Finger Lakes Tasting and Tap Room will host this year, providing the opportunity to try some of the finest New York State wines from various locations and delicious New York State nibbles and bites. Tickets are $30 at the door. 

Pull up a lawn chair and listen to the sounds of local musicians, including Nate the Great, Lynn Koch & Jim Weiss, Steve Daniels Trio, Bradford Allen & Casey Widger, Marina Gorelaya, The Local Farmers Union, and the Spencer Sisters.

Festival admission is free. Advanced Wine Tent admission tickets can be purchased online for $30, or you can be purchased at the gate. Only those 21 and older will be allowed to partake, and a legal ID is required.

McNeil Building Parking Lot, Cortland NY
Website

BILL KNOWLTON'S BLUEGRASS RAMBLE & PICNIC

Sunday, August 7,  from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The oldest running Bluegrass and acoustic old-time country music event in New York and New England returns for its 49th year at the historic Dwyer Memorial Park in Preble.  Pack a lawn chair, a picnic and enjoy the celebration of all things Bluegrass as you’re overlooking beautiful Little York Lake.

Food and beverages will be available throughout the day, with arts and crafts, vendors, band tables, and raffles in order to help support the picnic’s expenses.

Tune into Classic FM on Sundays from 9 p.m. to midnight to listen to Bill Knowlton play live recordings from previous picnics to whet your appetite!

Dwyer Memorial Park, 6799 Little York Road, Preble NY
Website

Thursday, August 11- Saturday, August 14

Rev up your engines; it’s time for the National Brockway Truck Show to roll into town! The weekend-long event officially kicks off Thursday night with the Ice Cream Cruise-In at Shipwreck Amusements in Cortland, NY, followed by the “Huskie Drive” Brockway truck convoy, Italian Dinner, auction, and fireworks display on Friday.   

The excitement continues on Saturday as over 100 vintage Brockway trucks parade down their new route, from the CNY Living History Center to Downtown Homer, for the all-day show that brings in 1000s of people.

Events that required advanced reservations include the Italian fundraising dinner (Friday) and Bob’s BBQ buffet (Saturday), both to be held at the Brockway Museum.  A full schedule of Brockway Truck Show events may be found at www.brockwaytrucks.org.

CNY Living History Center, 4386 US Route 11, Homer NY
Website

PORCHFEST CORTLAND

Sunday, August 21 from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Lace-up your walking shoes because Cortland’s 7th annual Porchfest returns this August!  The free event starts at Noon on Van Hoesen Street in Cortland and runs until 5 p.m.  Dozens of porches and other open areas transform into performance spaces for local musicians and artists to display their work. The event will also feature performances from local dance troupes, kids’ games, arts and crafts, and more. 

The first Porchfest was held in Ithaca, NY in 2007 and has since spread to other parts of the United States and Canada.  Cortland’s first-ever Porchfest was held in August 2016 and included 25 bands performing on the front porches of 13 different houses.  

Van Hoesen Street, Cortland NY
Website