The construction across downtown Cortland was an obstacle planners of a first-ever 5K run in the city had to deal with – but not an insurmountable one.
The Cortland County YMCA organized this year the “Viking 5K,” a memorial run former Cortland Fire Department Capt. Michael “Buzzy” Andersen, who died of lung cancer in February, said Gina Cusano-McLaughlin, Cortland YMCA senior program director.
That’s one event. The greater Cortland area has 80 more. Maybe 100. Runs, art festivals, movies under the stars, concerts.
Truck shows, rodeos. Musicals and plays. Fireworks (lots of those). Community and church festivals. Parades and dairy events and fairs. Even bathtub races.
_____
For a larger list of upcoming activities, go to: https://tinyurl.com/nuhuvuvh.
_____
If you’re bored at all between now and Labor Day, you’re clearly not paying attention.
The Viking 5K is just one. Cusano-McLaughlin said Thursday that Andersen’s family initiated and helped organize this new event, which Cusano-McLaughlin hopes becomes an annual mainstay the Saturday before Father’s Day.
“He was an avid runner,” she said. “This is how his wife and daughters decided to honor him.”
Andersen helped found the Cortland Pumpkin Run, and the Viking Run route follows the same course, with a few adjustments for construction, Cusano-McLaughlin said. Andersen served 22 years at the Cortland City Fire Department, with 15 years as an investigator.
Andersen collected pint glasses, the award for the top three runners, and city fire and police will race each other. The run is set for 9 a.m. June 15 starting at Courthouse Park.
Cusano-McLaughlin hopes more runners sign up on ymca.org/cortland or calling the YMCA at 607-756-2893.
Cusano-McLaughlin said 20% of revenue from fees will help families who lost a firefighter to cancer.
ST. ANTHONY’S SPAGHETTI
St. Anthony of Padua Church hosts its annual festival starting 4 p.m. June 8 and 9 at the church, and the event’s attendance has grown since the COVID-19 pandemic, festival Chair Annamaria Maniaci said.
“We went right back to it,” Maniaci said. “We got the normal crowds and then some.”
The festival’s spaghetti dinner, which usually coincides with the later dates, is set for 4 p.m. June 1.
The church’s celebration features live music with musician Jenna Noelle and the Extras, followed by Ithaca-based Fall Creek Brass Band. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. June 8.
AMERICA’S (BELATED) BIRTHDAY PARTY
Dogs beware – the Independence Day Spectacular returns to Dwyer Memorial Park in Preble at 2 p.m. on July 6
“Food vendors will be on-site, as well as a beer and wine garden alongside a full lineup of local bands,” a description of the event on Experience Cortland website reads. Fireworks launch at dusk.
If you’re looking for something on Independence Day, itself, The Declaration of Independence will be read at 10 a.m. at the Center for the Arts of Homer.
GROWING PRIDE
This is the second year of the Cortland Community Pride Festival, and Cortland LGBTQ Center Coordinator Mike Doughty said organizers are focusing on how to expand from year one.
“Last year, we asked people what else they wanted,” Doughty said Thursday.
A little more cash helped. Doughty said the LGBTQ Center got a grant of $5,000 from the Central New York Community Foundation. Pride is set for 10 a.m. July 13 at Courthouse Park.
“We’re looking to have more vendors and agencies,” Doughty said.
Last year’s Pride drew a handful of protestors, a group of which denounced the drag performance, a show planned again this year. Last year one drag queen dressed as Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster and performed the character’s ode to his namesake.
Doughty said he expects a protest this year, too.
“It comes with the nature of a Pride event,” Doughty said.
Area high school students in the LGBTQ community are invited to a Pride Prom set for 6 p.m. June 1 at the Cortland YMCA, Doughty said. Friends and allies are welcome too.
FUN UNDER THE SKY
The Cortland Main Street Music Series in Courthouse Park returns 7 p.m. July 11 with performer Clint Bush.
The acts alll at 7 p.m., are: •July 18: Steve Romer.
•July 25: Taylor Made.
•Aug. 1: Unreal City.
•Aug. 8. Molly and the Ringwalds.
•Aug. 15: Cortland Old Timers Band.
•Aug. 22: Jim Vandeuson.
But that’s not all. Both Homer and Cortland will have family movie nights Fridays in July and early August at Courthouse Park in Cortland and Thursdays on the Homer Village Green.
WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE
Retired Cortland Water Department Superintendent and water operator trainer Doug Withey said it’s easy for people to take clean water for granted.
The City of Cortland alone consumes 2.5 million gallons daily, Withey said Friday.
For more than 30 years, Withey has spread awareness about water processing and use with the Water Festival, set this year for 10 a.m. June 1 at the Cortland Waterworks. Withey started it in 1990 after the Smith-Corona spill in the 80s jeopardized Cortland’s water.
This year’s event honors the 50th anniversary of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act that allowed the EPA to set standards for and monitor drinking water quality, Withey said.
An expert will speak on the presence of plastics and forever chemicals in drinking water, both of which are believed carcinogens, Doughty said.
“I hope people leave with a better handle on extended good health,” Withey said.
INTO THE FALL
Fatigued? Sunburned? Don’t quit now – fall has yet more activities to offer.
The Cortland Repertory Theatre hosts several musical acts:
•Sept. 18: Great Balls of Fire, also performing 2 p.m., Little York Lake Pavilion, Preble.
•Sept. 25: How Sweet It is: Steve Leslie sings James Taylor, also performing 2 p.m.Little York Lake Pavilion, Preble.
•Oct. 19: Wade Preston, 7: 30 p.m., Cortland Repertory Theatre.
