ITHACA, N.Y. — It’s finally really starting to feel like spring in Ithaca. The sun’s shining, the temperature is rising and skies are pretty clear.
Just in time for the warmer weather, there are handfuls of events to get you outside and things to enjoy this weekend.
1. Streets Alive!
The 6th Annual Streets Alive! will return to Ithaca this year on Sunday. The event, which began as a way to encourage both healthy activity and active transportation in urban environments, promotes biking, roller skating and walking to get around the city.
Roads will temporarily shut down for the event to encourage residents to draw with chalk, bike, stroll, enjoy activities along the way or just play and enjoy the emerging spring weather.
North Cayuga Street will be closed from East Shore Drive to Court Street and West Court Street will be closed from Cayuga Street to Plain Street from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. A full map of the closures can be viewed here. Cars that have not been moved from the street by noon on Sunday may be subject to tow.
2. Rubber duck race & 4-H compost fair
As one of the most beloved Ithaca traditions, this event is put on by the Cornell Cooperative Extension to support Tompkins County 4-H youth.
At least 3,400 rubber ducks will race down Cascadilla Gorge beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday. While the race is free to watch as they travel down their route on Cascadilla Creek, onlookers can support 4-H members by betting on numbered ducks for $5 dollars a piece or $20 dollars for a flock.
Music, games and the 4-H Compost Fair will begin at 11 a.m. at the Education Center, 615 Willow Ave. leading up to the race. For more information, check out the event’s Facebook page here.
3. Mud Sweat & Cheers
The 6th Annual Mud Sweat & Cheers 5K and Extreme Fitness Challenge is set to kick off early Saturday morning.
The event began as a way to honor Corporal Christopher Bordoni, an Ithaca High School graduate who died in 2012 after sustaining injuries while serving in ‘Operation Enduring Freedom’ in Afghanistan. The fundraiser supports the Christopher Bordoni Fitness Trailhead and Scholarship.
The 5K portion of the event will begin at Island Health & Fitness, where runners will race on the Cayuga Waterfront Trail through Cass Park. Scattered throughout the race are seven different obstacles where teams of four or five will work on the challenges together.
Check-in for race begins at 8 a.m. at Island Health & Fitness and the race begins at 8:30 a.m.
4. Swan Lake
For those looking for an indoor activity to celebrate spring, The Ithaca Ballet will be performing a full-length production of Swan Lake this weekend.
With four acts, the ballet is set to the classic Tchaikovsky music and is originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. This rendition is staged by Cindy Reid, the artistic director of the Ithaca Ballet.
Swan Lake will feature Yellie Shustack as Odette and Odile and Ithaca guest artist Micah Chermak as the lead male role of Siegfried. 23 additional dancers from the Ithaca Ballet company will dance in the ballet as well, along with four guest children from the Ballet Center of Ithaca school and guest dancers from the community.
The ballet will open at the State Theater at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, with a matinee performance at 3 p.m. on Sunday.