ITHACA, N.Y. — Celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks, food and community gatherings across Tompkins County, and a little beyond.
The fireworks in Ithaca will take place Tuesday, but there are more celebrations throughout the week. Stay tuned for possible reschedulings, as thunderstorms are on the forecast. However, as of Tuesday morning, the forecast looks clear for Tuesday evening.
Here’s a look at some of the events scheduled, plus a look at what’s closed for the holiday.
Tuesday, July 3
The free Ithaca Rotary Community Fireworks celebration will take place from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Tuesday. There will be fireworks, food, beverages, vendors and music. The fireworks launch at 9:45 p.m. The event is made possible through donations.
The fireworks will be launched from the Newman Municipal Golf Course. Bring a chair and pick a spot to watch. They will be visible from Stewart and Cass Parks. There will also be food vendors at both locations. At Cass Park, you can find Mega Moos Ice Cream, Dos Amigos and Frozen Moments. At Stewart Park, vendors include Silo Truck, Sweet Melissa’s Ice Cream, On the Street Pitas, Copper Horse Coffee, Gabriella’s and Wally J’s.
People are encouraged to take public transportation. There will be free TCAT bus shuttles to and from Stewart Park, downtown and Cass Park. Parking at Stewart Park will be limited to people with a parking permit for disabled persons and vendors and staff. However, parking will be available in the Ithaca High School and Boynton Middle School parking lots. At Cass Park, the parking lot to the east of the soccer fields will be reserved for cars with parking permits for disabled persons.
It is sponsored by the Ithaca Rotary Club and co-sponsored by the City of Ithaca and the Friends of Stewart Park.
For more information, visit www.ithacafireworks.org. A rain date is scheduled for July 5.
Friday, July 6
The Groton Community Fireworks are sponsored by the Groton Fire Department. The event goes from 7:30 to 11 p.m. Friday at the Groton Elementary School. There will be music by DJ Kelly and concessions available by Groton Youth Softball and Baseball. The rain date is scheduled for Sunday.
The Candor July 4th Celebration will go from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday at Candor Ballpark on Route 96/Spencer Road. The celebration begins with their annual parade on July 4th and carnival. The carnival continues through July 7. There are fireworks, raffles, vendors, chicken barbecue a car show and horse pull. For more information, visit the Facebook page.
Saturday, July 7
Americana Vineyards is also hosting its annual 4th of July Birthday BBQ Bash. A big lineup of music starts at noon and goes until the fireworks launch at 10 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and kids under 13 get in for free.
The Inn at Taughannock will host its third annual fireworks show on Saturday. The fireworks will be visible from Taughannock Falls State Park or from the lake. People can also watch from the Inn, where they are having a barbecue from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with beer, cotton candy and popcorn for sale. The fireworks launch at 9:30 p.m. For more information, call the front desk at 607-387-7711.
Closings and service delays
The Tompkins County Department of Recycling and Materials Management office and the Recycling and Solid Waste Center will be closed Wednesday. The Food Scraps Recycling Drop Spots on Hancock Street in Ithaca and at the East Hill Plaza Farmers Market will also be closed for the holiday.
There will be no curbside recycling collection Wednesday. Pick-up will occur a day later for the remainder of the week.
Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit will not offer service July 4. However, as mentioned above, TCAT will offer free service for the Ithaca Rotary Community Fireworks celebration on Tuesday, and alternatively for the rain date Thursday. Here are the details:
Buses with destination signs on the front of the buses marked “Fireworks” will begin service approximately every 10 minutes, starting at 7:30 p.m., from Albany St. @ State St. (Salvation Army), Green St. Station, and Seneca St. Station. Service to Stewart Park will end at 9:30 p.m. just before the fireworks are scheduled to begin.
The “Fireworks” buses will also stop at all intersections along Cayuga Street, only as far as Lincoln Street. There will be no pick-up/drop-off service from Lincoln Street to Stewart Park. Those attending the event can also park their vehicles and walk to Stewart Park from Ithaca High School and Boynton Junior High School parking lots.
TCAT will provide return service from the entryway circle in Stewart Park until 11:15 p.m.
Those wishing to enjoy the fireworks are urged to take advantage of the well-lighted and convenient parking garages near TCAT hubs. This festive community event is again being presented this year by the Rotary Club of Ithaca. Co-sponsors are the City of Ithaca and Friends of Stewart Park.
Please note: TCAT will not operate service and administrative offices will be closed on Wed., July 4, for the Independence Day holiday. Regular service will resume and administrative offices will be open on Thurs., July 5.