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- Plants, the Arts, and a Park!
Plants, the Arts, and a Park!
Highlights for May 15 - 17: The Annual Spring Garden Fair & Plant Sale in Ithaca; an evening paying tribute to the late Martin A. Poole; a closing reception for "3 Americans" at the Arnot Art Museum; the grand opening of Curtiss Park in Hammondsport; and a paperweight and glass art show in Corning.
Amelia Cueva
May 15, 2026
TOP 5
FRIDAY
 | Spring Garden Fair & Plant Sale - Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County One of the Finger Lakes' most anticipated events, the Garden Fair & Plant Sale features a wide variety of vendors who offer plants, garden accessories, and gardening advice. Plants for sale include heirloom vegetables, colorful annuals, fragrant herbs, hanging baskets, flowering shrubs, hardy roses, fruit trees, evergreens, and specialty perennials. Find the list of this year's vendors and more at CCETompkins.org/PlantSale. During the sale, Master Gardeners Volunteers raise funds and share their gardening knowledge. They will also be offering pH testing for garden soil if you bring a sample to the sale. You can buy raffle tickets to win prizes provided by our vendors at the CCE office (615 Willow St, Ithaca) ahead of time or at the sale. Tickets are 1 for $1, 6 for $5, or 15 for $10. You need not be present at time of drawing to win. Visitors are encouraged to bring wagons to transport purchases to their cars. |
 | Opening Reception - A Tribute to Martin A. Poole There will be a gathering of family, friends, fellow artists, collectors, art appreciators, and community members to honor Marty. While there will be no formal service or program for the evening, this is a wonderful opportunity to come together and celebrate Marty’s life. A luminous collection of Marty’s paintings will adorn the walls in the Main Gallery on the first floor. The event is open to the public. We hope you’ll join us for this special occasion. “Life is a gift, and painting is one of the ways we realize what we are given. I paint because it helps me pay attention to our world, our lives in it and our lives together. Our lives are complex. We have chaos and loss – all kinds of darkness, but with these shadows always there is some kind of light. We build with that.” ~ Martin A. Poole |
 | Closing Reception | 3 Americans: Bossart van Otterloo, Kalyan, Kaplan Inspired by the landmark 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘴 exhibition series presented at the Museum of Modern Art between the 1940s and 1960s, the seventh installment of the Arnot Art Museum’s THREE AMERICANS series brings together three living artists in distinct solo presentations, thoughtfully united within a single exhibition framework. The artists Bridget Bossart van Otterloo, NFN Kalyan, and Ileen Kaplan present diverse and striking aspects of contemporary life, taking the viewer on a journey that is contemplative, chaotic, curious, and beautiful. Examine the contrasts and connections between their unique artistic voices and discover how each artist offers a distinct perspective on the world we inhabit. Two of the three artists will be in attendance and presenting comments. |
SATURDAY
 | Grand Opening of Curtiss Park Opening Ceremony at 12:00 PM and a kayak and painting raffle drawing at 2:00 PM. Free ice cream, popcorn, and treats with fun activities for the whole family. Please join us for a wonderful community event! |
 | Paperweight Collectors Association presents a Glass Art Show The Glass Paperweight Fair brings together internationally renowned artists, collectors, and dealers—featuring thousands of intricate glass artworks, from antique masterpieces to contemporary creations. Meet the artists. Learn the craft. Discover something extraordinary. |
PLUS
Queer Social Club - Roller Derby in Elmira; The Speakeasy Extravaganza, presented by Destiny La Vibe in Ithaca; Spring Writes Literary Festival - Seven Minutes in Heaven: A Spin-the-Bottle of the Arts, in Ithaca; Benefit My State Theatre - 90's Edition in Ithaca; and Mother's Day (a week later) Breakfast at the Burdett Volunteer Fire Department; plus so much live music!
Check out all of the events at the link below (and remember to check with the original event hosts for latest updates & cancellations):
YOU KNOW…. FOR THE KIDS!
 | Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! The Musical! Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party! It’s not easy being the Pigeon-you never get to do ANYTHING! But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird CAN do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs, and feathers, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping. |
RSVP SPOTLIGHT
 | Join us for the second annual Gala for Good. A night of fun and fundraising in support of Meals on Wheels. The evening will include raffles, 50/50 and sweet treats! Tickets: Seniors/Students $35; Adults $40 The Gala for Good is planned and hosted by Rose's Youth Philanthropists, a teen philanthropy program of the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Inc. Please consider joining us on May 30th to support our teen members and Meals on Wheels! Click here for full details and tickets |
Shout-Out to Finger Lakes Farm Country
Today I got to watch an amazing little video promoting the joys of slowing down and visiting our gorgeous farm country here in the Finger Lakes. The video followed a young family as a girl recounts all of the fun memories of their visit to our countryside and a series of farms. It was touching and nostalgic.
As someone who grew up here and whose great grandfather worked as a milkman not too far from where I live now, I often take for granted just how vibrant our agricultural landscape is. I’m just so used to bustling farmers markets, a wide variety of u-pick farms, and thriving county fairs with deep, historic roots—forgetting how rare and wonderful these joys are.
So, I checked out the Finger Lakes Farm Country website and was delighted to see an easy-to-use map and itinerary builder featuring an impressive group of farms! It’s a delightful and helpful resource that everyone should know about, seasoned local and newbie alike! Check it out here.
Reminders
Always check with the original event host for updates and cancellations.
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