Spotlight

Every October since 1996, Downtown Cortland has been transformed into a vibrant, outdoor fall festival when The Great Cortland Pumpkinfest arrives in Historic Courthouse Park.  The two-day event has been one of the county's most highly-anticipated fall celebrations, a family-friendly experience that has become a favorite for locals and visitors alike.  After a two-year hiatus, the festival…

After a two-year hiatus, Seedstock XII is back! Come out for a one-day 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, September 17 from 11am to midnight WHERE3336 Route 215 Cortland, NY 13045 ADMISSION Tickets for Seedstock XII are now on sale! Quantities will be limited in 2022…

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 auction, the annual event…

The days are warm and the nights cool, September lingers somewhere between summer and autumn. It's the perfect time of year for outdoor adventures. So get off the beaten path and get back to nature: explore our backwoods, swim in a mountain lake, let your hair down at outdoor music festivals, and soar through the forest canopy. Cortland County is the perfect place to embrace your inner wild child…

Experience Cortland will be featuring a Cortland County artist at the Visitors Center throughout the year. The program was developed to showcase local artwork and photography to travelers and locals in hopes of them taking a piece of Cortland County home. Feel free to stop by during regular business hours to view the work or at her shop, Elfcup Boutique, at 136 Main Street. Local artist and shop…

Take a breather from work and bring your family and friends to Cortland County for a little rest and relaxation during Labor Day weekend! Pack a lawn chair to sit under the stars for an outdoor concert. Lace up your sneakers to stretch you legs on one of our hiking trails. Take a walk down memory lane in Cortland's Victorian-era stone castle. Keep your taste buds happy at one of the county's craft…

What do cast members of Stranger Things, Vanilla Ice, and Power Ranger David Yost all have in common? They are all proudly rocking local Thom Bulman's custom shoes! You may know Thom Bulman from season nine of Ink Master, but when Covid made tattooing nearly impossible, he had to think on his feet. Now, he is the proud owner of Bull Airs™ by Thom Bulman, a custom shoe shop that promises…

The Cortland County Historical Society has created a new, interactive children's exhibit! The grand opening of Then & Now Children's Room is August 27, from 1-3 pm at The Suggett House Museum (25 Homer Ave, Cortland). The Then & Now Children's room emulates an old-fashioned town, with a general store, barn, and cabin in the woods. Hands-on activities and historically accurate reproductions…

If small town charm had a flavor, it could certainly be found in these quaint countryside markets. Shelves brimming with fresh baked goods, perfectly ripe produce, glittering jars of jams and honey, and coolers stuffed full of locally raised meats and dairy. If you're looking to pack the perfect picnic basket, find all the fixings for your next cookout, or simply seeking an excuse for a lovely…

Porches will become stages, lawns will become venues, and strangers will become friends at the 7th annual Cortland Porchefest! WHENSunday, August 21 (noon-5 pm) WHEREThe Van Hoesen Neighborhood. WHAT TO EXPECTThe streets of Van Hoesen, Chestnut, Harrison, Joy, and Hamlin will be taken over by some front porch pickin, neighborhood singin' good times.  Local community members will lend their…

For four days, the town of Cortland 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 22nd Annual Brockway Truck Show, August 11-14, 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,…

Ramblers, let's get rambling! Get ready for a toe-tapping, finger-snapping, front porch pickin' good time! It's the 49th Annual Bill Knowlton's Bluegrass Ramble & Picnic. Keep reading for more details. WHEN Sunday, August 7, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. WHERE Dwyer Memorial Park6799 Little York Lake Road WHAT TO EXPECT The oldest bluegrass festival in New York State, and arguably amongst its finest, this…

Join the Cortland Arts Connect at their Art, Music, Food & Wine Festival in historic downtown Cortland for a day of music, shopping, tasting, and creating. Keep reading for more details. WHEN Saturday, August 6, 10 a.m. -5 p.m. WHERE McNeil Building Parking LotDowntown Cortland, NY   WHAT TO EXPECT Cortland Arts of Main will host 28 fantastic artists, with a wide variety of wares…

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!…

Summer always brings back childhood memories of melting ice cream cones, fishing poles, camping trips, parades, and adventures in the sun. It's not too late to recapture those carefree days. We have just the itinerary, whether you're young or young at heart, to create lasting summer memories, you'll treasure for years to come. LODGING Book your stay at the Yellow Lantern Kampground for the…

Every dog deserves his day, and your pup is no exception. Cortland County Visitors Center has gone to the dogs. Grab your leash and take a ride to 42 Main St, in historic downtown Cortland, on August 6 from 10am-2pm for an event that's sure to fetch some fun! Here at Experience Cortland, we thought that all the pooches out promenading the Arts off Main Music, Food & Wine Fest might like a…

The 50-mile garage sale snakes along Route 90, from Homer to Montezuma, July 30-31, this year. The event takes on the air of a festival with 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 the…

The Warbirds will take to the skies over Cortland this Saturday, which can only mean one thing! It's time for the 12th Annual Cortland Airfest which celebrates flight in a variety of ways. Gear up for a high-flying day of history, plane rides, firetrucks and good eats. Keep reading to know what to expect at the Cortland Airfest. WHEN Saturday, July 23 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. WHERE The Cortland…

HOW TO GET THEREPapish Pond Multiple Use AreaBeach Rd. Cincinnatus, NY(42.4935426°N, 75.9513322°W) Tucked away in the southeastern corner of Cortland County is Papish Pond. Often considered a part of Gee Brook State Forest, as they are so nearby one another, Papish Pond Multiple Use Area is located just 6 miles outside the town of Cincinnatus. The pond and surrounding forest are open to the…

Shake, rattle and roll your way to Cortland County to experience all things rock ‘n roll. From toe-tappin’ concerts to electrifying murals, and food that will have your taste buds singing, you’ll find more than one way to satisfy your rock ‘n roll soul with this 48-hour itinerary. DAY 1 Start your day off with a hearty breakfast at the Cortland Diner in downtown Cortland. Go classic with…