Arts & Wine Festival – August 4th

Excitement is building as the Cultural Council of Cortland County prepares for its sixth annual Arts and Wine Festival coming up on Saturday August 4th, 2012. Will you be there to share in the festivities whenCourthouse Park comes alive with artists, music, wine tasting and more?

There’s lots to do for people of all ages from 10am until 6pm. Some of the 60 artists will be demonstrating their craft, like Peter Jeffers whose specialty is glass blowing. Attendees will be delighted with the rich variety of juried works available for sale: note cards; jewelry; paintings; carvings; stained glass; furniture, wood crafts and more. The Council will award over $1,000 in prizes to artists, including a $100.00 prize for Best of Show.

Always a special treat throughout the day is the wonderful melodic background created by outstanding area musicians offering musical theater, up beat classical and jazz selections.

At the Healing Arts Tent, visitors can treat themselves to a chair massage from Jeanine Gettis of Hearts Content Healing or try out some yoga. Pure and Simple Yoga instructors will be giving 15 minute demonstration/mini classes: Sun Salutations at 11am, Svaroopa at 1pm, and all levels at 3pm. Come by to participate in some comfortable clothing or just stop by to observe.

Other special features this year include a sidewalk chalk drawing/painting contest. This is the first year of the contest. Children, teens, and adults will find this great fun. For a registration fee of $10, one person or a group can sign up for a box of chalk and a sidewalk square to decorate any way they wish. Chalk drawing begins at 11am, judging begins at 5pm, and winners announced at 5:30pm. There are two categories of prize money awarded, four prizes in all. In the adult category, 1st place prize is $50 and 2nd place prize is $25. For teens and under, 1st place prize is $50, 2nd is $25. Commercial Art Supply in Syracuse, this year’s sponsor of the contest, donated the chalk. To register, email staff@cortlandarts.com or call 753-1188.

This year there’s a farmers’ market. Main Street Farms will be displaying and explaining their miniature aquaponic system. There will also be vendors selling tasty prepared food.

And of course, there’s wine tasting beginning at noon. Individual tickets for the wine tent can be purchased online, at the Picture House on Homer Avenue, or at the wine tent on the day of the festival. Group tickets for 10 or more people must be purchased in advance either online, by calling the Council at 607-753-1188, or by emailing the director at staff@cortlandarts.com to take advantage of the discounted price. Visitors must be at least 21 and show a valid picture ID to enter the wine tent and pick up wines.

Some of our sponsors include Cayuga Radio Group, Plank Road, CFCU, Ellamate, Family Dentistry, Gerry Ruggiero, Merrill Lynch, and many others. Check our tasters’ guide for more about our sponsors and about the wineries.

Don’t miss this year’s festival.