Stewart Park's July 4th fireworks are canceled but here's how to celebrate in Ithaca

The summer of 2022 ushered in the return of Ithaca’s most-loved community events, including the Ithaca Festival and International Mud Day, along with a few new ones, like Pride Week.

But one of summer’s biggest events, the Ithaca Rotary Community Fireworks, has been cancelled for the third year in a row. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Fourth of July event drew thousands to Stewart Park for an evening of entertainment that ended in a spectacular fireworks display reflecting off Cayuga Lake.

While the Rotary did not immediately respond to a request for comment, a statement posted on the Rotary website stated:

“The Rotary Community Fireworks regretfully announces that the celebration will be postponed until 2023. As disappointing as this news is, it is the prudent thing to do. Despite the progress being made on the vaccination front and restrictions being eased, there are still many obstacles and uncertainties with regards to staging an event of this magnitude.”

There’s still plenty of fireworks – and fun – happening this holiday weekend. Here's a short list of free Fourth of July weekend activities in Tompkins County and throughout the region:  

• Friday, July 1: Groton’s 4^th of July Celebration Food trucks and DJ Dale, 7 p.m., Groton Elementary School Field
• Friday, July 1:Candor's Annual 4th of July Celebration Fireworks Carnival Grounds, Spencer Ave., at dusk.
• Saturday July 1: Seneca Falls
• Saturday, July 2: Hope Lake Park July 4^th Fireworks Display Live music from 6 – 9 p.m. and Dan the Snake Man before the fireworks, Hope Lake Park, 2245 Clute Road, Cortland, Fireworks start at dusk.
• Saturday, July 2: Cortland County Independence Day Spectacular Food vendors, beer and wine garden, local bands. Free admission with $5 parking fee. 2 p.m. – 10 p.m., Dwyer Memorial Park, 6799 Little York Lake Road, Preble.
• Saturday, July 2: Seneca Falls Canal Fest Fireworks Extravaganza Annual canal festival with music, vendors and fireworks starting at 10 p.m.
• Sunday, July 3: The Inn at Taughannock Falls Annual Independence Day Fireworks Display for the greater Trumansburg area. Fireworks start at around 9 p.m. Free parking at Taughannock Falls State Park, 1740 Taughannock Blvd, Trumansburg.
• Monday, July 4: Candor's Annual 4th of July Celebration Parade and Chicken BBQ Parade starts at 10 a.m. from Church St., ending at Carnival Ground on Spencer Ave. Chicken BBQ at Ballfield Pavillion.

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