04/25/2024
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:
Celebrating Nordic-American Traditions
Finger Lakes Finns – May 19-Sept. 15, 2024
Ithaca Pride Festival – June 8-9, 2024
Playdate in the Park – June 12, 2024
20th Anniversary Celebration of
Music in the Hollow – June 15-Aug. 27, 2024
Mill Park Music Series – June 26-Aug. 28, 2024
International Mud Day – June 29, 2024
Shakespeare in the Park – June 29, 2024
Newfield Old Home Days – July 26-July 27, 2024
GIAC Gorges Games – July 27-28, 2024
Latino Civic Association Annual Picnic – Aug. 3, 2024
Watermusic – Aug. 4, 2024
August Music and Dance Program
Brooktondale Community Center – Aug. 11, 2024
Silent Movie Under the Stars – Aug. 24, 2024
Women & Gender Non-Conforming Workers
and Labor – Sept. 2, 2024
Lansing Community Celebration – Sept. 5-Sept. 7, 2024
Ithaca Is Books Festival – Sept. 12-Sept. 15, 2024
Public Safety Day
Ithaca Tompkins International Airport – Sept. 14, 2024
Enfield Harvest Festival – Sept. 21, 2024
Ithaca Porchfest – Sept. 22, 2024
Youth Farm Project Harvest Festival – Oct. 20, 2024
Spooky Science at the Sciencenter – Oct. 27, 2024
Dryden Holiday Festival – Dec. 7, 2024
Trumansburg Winter Fest – Dec. 7, 2024
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:
Ithaca Gallery Night – April 16-Dec. 16, 2024
Triphammer Arts Summer Concert Festival
and Jazz Festival – May 1-Sept. 30, 2024
Special Olympics of New York 2024 Summer Games – June 14-16, 2024
Ithaca Reggae Fest – June 21-22, 2024
Ithaca Soul Fest – June 24, 2024
7th Annual GrassRoots Culture Camp – July 14-17, 2024
Cherry Artspace Exterior Beautification & Improved Geographic Reach – July 18, 2024-June 30, 2025
Hupstate Circus Festival – Aug. 26-Sept. 2, 2024
Farming for Freedom Trail – Oct. 4-5, 2024
Lilypad Puppet Festival – Nov. 1-4, 2024
2025 Ithaca Shakespeare Company Winter Production – Feb. 13-Feb. 23, 2025
Tompkins Outdoors Grants
Grant awards totaling $54,000 were made to three organizations through the Tompkins Outdoors grant program.
Discover Cayuga Lake – $19,000
Finger Lakes Land Trust – $19,000
Friends of Stewart Park – $16,000
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.
