Ithaca Festival 2006
by Dawn St John
Through Saturday's grey, gloomy, rainy weather, we sloshed to the Commons to see some performances and ogle some wares. Though the festival was kick-started on Thursday evening with the annual parade, we did not arrive until Saturday. The crowd was thinner than in some years, due to the inclement weather. Still, folks gathered to watch local music or dance ensembles perform, to check out music CDs from local artists, and to admire or purchase crafts from local artisans. A little rain is nothing to these steadfast central New Yorkers.
Since Saturday's showers bled somewhat into Sunday as well, it is fortuitous that Ithacans are accustomed to late-spring rainstorms. Sunday moved most of the festivities to Ithaca's Stewart Park. Here, there were bands, clothing, and food vendors (with delicious samples!), and the main reason for our trip - the Sustainability Fair. Next year, I hope The Green Room can be a part of the festival, after all I saw and learned this weekend! There was a booth dedicated to eco-fashion, a concept with which I wasn't previously familiar, but is a fascinating way to reuse and recycle old material scraps and even plastic bags! The items on display there showed such ingenuity, I was in awe. Less surprisingly, there were booths dedicated to organic foods and farms in the area. We also stopped by to learn about various forms of alternative energy, ranging from biodiesel for your car to wind power for your home or business. (More on all of these options in our August issue!) There are also a number of area groups setting up alternatives to driving: car sharing, bicycle "park and ride" programs, etc.
Musically, there were options for all ages and interests. From a recorder ensemble on the Commons on Saturday to the perennial drum circles in the park on Sunday, the bases were covered. We heard the political rhymes of Cypher Dissident, and some talented a cappella groups (whose names we unfortunately failed to obtain). And I was pleased to catch a few songs by Steve Southworth and the Rockability Rays, who always played at the Old Home Days in the town where I grew up. The weather prevented us from spending very much time taking in any one artist, but i still enjoyed the myriad sounds as we passed from booth to booth.
Each year, the Ithaca Festival changes just a bit, but the main objectives are constant. In short, the festival is a chance to celebrate Ithaca's unique and diverse culture. Such as the town has a very relaxed and "hippie-esque" feel to it, so does the festival. I encourage anyone who is in the area to attend next year's festival. Whether you want to buy tie-dyed dresses or clothing made of natural fabrics, feast your eyes on beautiful arts and crafts, sample local cuisine, or hear the numerous musical stylings of Ithaca natives, you will not be disappointed.