Spotlight

Duck & Red Octopus: A Short Funny Stop Action & Animated Film Festival is coming to town! According to the official website: "On Sept. 22 and 23, the city of Cortland, long celebrated for apples, barbed wire and the guy who invented the gyroscope, will gain new renown when it hosts the “Duck and Red Octopus Short Funny Stop Action and Animated Film Festival.” Finalists from around the world…

Webster’s Dictionary defines a gallery as “a building or part of a building in which objects of interest are displayed.” Here in Cortland County, we know galleries to be so much more than that. A well-curated gallery stimulates the imagination and make us laugh or reflect. Galleries become hubs, hosting community events and fostering creativity. Galleries are filled with the sort of…

The Marathon 1890 Union Fair celebrates the American family and is dedicated to the preservation of families and the things they do together. Life in a small town best exemplifies what America is all about. Communities filled with pride and spirit give young people a safe environment in which to grow. Featuring baked goods, vendors, quilt and garden displays, a raffle and an auction, the annual…

Crown City Mural Fest is returning for its second year, corraling artists to make Cortland an even more creative space! Whether you want to channel your inner artist, shop till you drop, or dance till your feet hurt, this is the place to be! Keep reading for more details.   WHEN Saturday, September 2 from 1-6pm WHERE Cortland Corset Building75 E. Court Street, Cortland NY GETTING THE PARTY…

Ain't no party like a Porchfest party! Porches will become stages, lawns will become venues, and strangers will become friends at the 8th annual Cortland Porchefest! Come out for a day filled with family-friendly fun, from rock n' roll, to runs, book sales, pints and good grub- the party just got even bigger! WHENSunday, August 20 (noon-5 pm) WHEREThe Van Hoesen Neighborhood. RUN FOR A CAUSE The…

Gone are the days of cheesy tee shirts and cliché tchotchkes. Travelers crave a souvenir that tells a story. Something unique, created by locals, handmade- a treasure that could only be found on their adventures. Whether it is an original piece of art for your wall, a limited-edition concert t-shirt, something handmade or one of a kind, Cortland County is brimming with uncommon goods that reflect…

Seedstock XIII is back for another ruckus festival on the farm! Don't miss this one-day music festival filled with new and old friends, live music under the sun, dancing on the lawn, and sleeping under the stars. Keep reading for all the details. WHENSaturday, August 12 from 11am to midnight WHERE3336 Route 215 Cortland, NY 13045 ADMISSION Tickets for Seedstock XIII are now on sale! Quantities…

For four days, the town of Homer will be filled with Huskies, but not the kind attached to a sled. Truck buffs, regional history enthusiasts, and festival-goers come in hoards to the 23rd Annual Brockway Truck Show, August 10-13, for the sights and sounds of the Brockway Motor Truck Co. legacy. A majority of the show's events will take place at the Central New York Living History Center, which is…

The Readers' Choice contest hosted by USA Today is looking for America's best fall festival, and Cortland's very own has been nominated! USA Today’s popular 2023 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards is hosting a contest for Best Fall Festival in the USA, and the Great Cortland Pumpkinfest is among the nominees. Now we need your help to make Pumpkinfest number one! Voting is currently open, and…

Summer isn't over yet, Cortland County! The midway point of summer is here, but that doesn’t mean the fun stops!  From summer concerts to sampling the finest NYS craft beverages, Huskies on parade to browsing hand-crafted goodies, there’s no reason to leave the county if you’re looking for a good time. Check out these four events that will make your summer super memorable! Visit our Events…

Ramblers, let's get rambling! Get ready for a toe-tapping, finger-snapping, front porch pickin' good time! It's the 50th Annual Bill Knowlton's Bluegrass Ramble & Picnic. WHENSunday, August 6, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. WHEREDwyer Memorial Park6799 Little York Lake Road WHAT TO EXPECT The oldest bluegrass festival in New York State and arguably amongst its finest, this event is not to be missed. Pack a…

Getting outside into nature has become more accessible and inclusive at Lime Hollow Nature Center with the unveiling of the Action Trackchair©, an all-terrain wheelchair designed to make trails accessible for people with mobility challenges. Lime Hollow became only the second nature center in New York State to offer this "wheelchair," bridging the gap between accessibility and nature. The…

The 50-mile garage sale snakes along Route 90, from Homer to Montezuma, July 29-30, this year. The event takes on the air of a festival with impromptu BBQs, bake sales, lemonade stands, and pop-up breakfast stops sprinkled along the way. The wineries, breweries, shops, and restaurants throw open their doors to weary antiquers and bargain hunters alike. You never know precisely what you'll find at…

Experience Cortland, the Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), will be honored with a Tourism Excellence Award for the Cortland Curiosities: A Strange & Forgotten History Trail. The New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA) acknowledges and recognizes the outstanding work of New York State's destination marketing organizations, attractions, and other tourism-related…

Get ready to shop till you drop! The 42nd Annual Holiday in Homer is back for another year in the Village of Homer. Guests will be treated to 125 plus vendors, live entertainment for all ages, horse-drawn wagon rides, quilt shows, a library book sale, and so much more! Don't forget to tag @experiencecortland with your festival snapshots for a chance to be featured. Keep reading for more details.…

Immerse yourself in the flourishing art and culture scene in Cortland County! This two-day itinerary will have you exploring eclectic art installations and rousing theatre – and you’ll discover tasty eats along the way. DAY 1 Begin your art adventure with a locally roasted caffeine boost at Coffee Mania; then venture to the Cortland Corset Building for a little retail therapy. The creative and…

School is officially out which means summer is upon us - and so is vacation season! Cortland County offers locals and those beyond so many events for families, kids, and outdoor enthusiasts that it can be hard to know where to start. We'll be showcasing county happenings each month to keep you up-to-date and in the know - check out these exciting events happening this July that you don't want to…

Barns, cows, carnival rides, and deep-fried fun are expected at this year's local junior fair! Locals and visitors alike will be able to enjoy the tastes, smells, and thrills that come with the county fair as the 2023 edition of the Cortland County Jr. Fair begins its five-day run Tuesday, July 4, at the Cortland County Fairgrounds. The fair is hosting a slate of livestock shows, pageant queens,…

Ashe Martin and Laure Antoine are the proud curators of Crown City Curiosities, an LGBTQIA+, women-owned curiosity shop in the Cortland Corset Building. Their space captivates the eye and captures the imagination in every corner. Dangling from the grand double-height ceilings are rare plants, and the old brick walls bearing scars of past fires are now festooned with vintage clothing, local art,…