Tompkins County Tourism Program Awards Grants to Local Organizations
The Tompkins County Legislature recently approved over $172,000 in funding for local events and initiatives through the Tourism Program's Spring 2024 grant cycle. These grants help strengthen the county's cultural offerings, outdoor activities, and overall visitor appeal.
Community Celebrations Grants
A total of $23,150 was awarded to 23 organizations for events that celebrate the county's unique culture and history. Community Celebration grants support free, public events that take place throughout the year, including:
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Event Name
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Date(s)
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Celebrating Nordic-American Traditions
Finger Lakes Finns
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May 19-Sept. 15, 2024
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Ithaca Pride Festival
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June 8-9, 2024
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Playdate in the Park
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June 12, 2024
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20th Anniversary Celebration of
Music in the Hollow
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June 15-Aug. 27, 2024
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Mill Park Music Series
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June 26-Aug. 28, 2024
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International Mud Day
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June 29, 2024
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Shakespeare in the Park
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June 29, 2024
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Newfield Old Home Days
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July 26-July 27, 2024
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GIAC Gorges Games
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July 27-28, 2024
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Latino Civic Association Annual Picnic
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Aug. 3, 2024
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Watermusic
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Aug. 4, 2024
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August Music and Dance Program
Brooktondale Community Center
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Aug. 11, 2024
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Silent Movie Under the Stars
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Aug. 24, 2024
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Women & Gender Non-Conforming Workers
and Labor
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Sept. 2, 2024
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Lansing Community Celebration
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Sept. 5-Sept. 7, 2024
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Ithaca Is Books Festival
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Sept. 12-Sept. 15, 2024
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Public Safety Day
Ithaca Tompkins International Airport
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Sept. 14, 2024
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Enfield Harvest Festival
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Sept. 21, 2024
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Ithaca Porchfest
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Sept. 22, 2024
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Youth Farm Project Harvest Festival
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Oct. 20, 2024
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Spooky Science at the Sciencenter
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Oct. 27, 2024
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Dryden Holiday Festival
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Dec. 7, 2024
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Trumansburg Winter Fest
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Dec. 7, 2024
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Tourism Advancement Grants
Grant awards totaling $95,000 were made to support 11 organizations in the Tourism Advancement category. These grants support projects and marketing campaigns that attract visitors to Tompkins County. Proposals approved for funding in the spring 2024 grant round include:
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Event Name
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Date(s)
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Ithaca Gallery Night
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April 16-Dec. 16, 2024
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Triphammer Arts Summer Concert Festival
and Jazz Festival
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May 1-Sept. 30, 2024
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Special Olympics of New York 2024 Summer Games
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June 14-16, 2024
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Ithaca Reggae Fest
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June 21-22, 2024
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Ithaca Soul Fest
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June 24, 2024
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7th Annual GrassRoots Culture Camp
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July 14-17, 2024
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Cherry Artspace Exterior Beautification & Improved Geographic Reach
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July 18, 2024-June 30, 2025
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Hupstate Circus Festival
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Aug. 26-Sept. 2, 2024
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Farming for Freedom Trail
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Oct. 4-5, 2024
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Lilypad Puppet Festival
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Nov. 1-4, 2024
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2025 Ithaca Shakespeare Company Winter Production
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Feb. 13-Feb. 23, 2025
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Tompkins Outdoors Grants
Grant awards totaling $54,000 were made to three organizations through the Tompkins Outdoors grant program.
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Organization
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Award Amount
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Discover Cayuga Lake
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$19,000
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Finger Lakes Land Trust
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$19,000
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Friends of Stewart Park
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$16,000
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Investing in a Thriving Community
Funded by the Hotel Room Occupancy Tax Law, these grants create a positive feedback loop. By supporting local events and initiatives, the Tourism Program makes Tompkins County a more desirable destination for visitors. In turn, those visitors support the local economy by spending money at restaurants, shops, and hotels. This economic activity creates jobs and generates tax revenue that benefits the entire community.
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A Look Back at the First Round of Tourism Grants
Twenty-five years ago this month, the Tompkins County Board of Representatives (predecessor to the County Legislature) greenlit the first wave of County tourism grants recommended by the Strategic Tourism Planning Board. Can you guess what kinds of projects received funding on the eve of the new millennium? The list included a mix of events that are still local favorites today, like the Downtown Chili Cookoff, Southside Community Center's Juneteenth Celebration, and the Greater Ithaca Art Trail. But there were also some intriguing blasts from the past, like the Ithaca Festival Ski Marathon and Tompkins Chamber Sport Fishing TV...
Welcome New Board Members!
Please join us in welcoming our newest representatives on the Tompkins County Strategic Tourism Planning Board: Richard Floyd (TC3), Jeff Golden (Ithaca College), Jenna Kain (Lodging), and Bethany Parisi (Arts-Culture).
Stay Informed:
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