Ithaca, N.Y. (Feb. 3, 2009)—Candies are sweet, but it’s

deals teachers love at Ithaca’s Winter Recess festival.


Opening Valentines weekend, Winter Recess is the nation's

first and only festival for public school teachers. An

estimated 4,000 educators and family members will attend

the weeklong event, Feb. 13-22. Winter Recess offers pre-K-

12 teachers and their guests a discounted week of

recreation, relaxation and entertainment in a community

built on education.


Launched in 2007 to thank educators for their contribution

to the community, Winter Recess draws from an audience of

1.2 million Northeastern teachers who have school breaks

from Valentines Day through Presidents Week. Attendance

has doubled annually, drawing teachers to Ithaca from 10

states and as far away as France.


“Winter Recess is all about showing teachers some love,”

said Fred Bonn, director of the Ithaca Tompkins Convention

& Visitors Bureau. "Teachers appreciate the recognition,

the variety and the discounts. And we get a chance to show

off everything that makes Ithaca such a wonderful place to

live and visit. It's a fabulous event all around."


Winter Recess takes all of Ithaca’s assets—its

attractions, college events, theaters, spas, shops,

restaurants, clubs and inns—and puts them on sale for

visiting educators. The festival calendar includes 70

family events, concerts, theater performances,

recreational activities, winery tours and more. Most

events are free or steeply discounted for visiting

educators.


Highlights include:


•A laugh-out-loud evening with Josh Blue, winner of

NBC’s Last Comic Standing

•For Beatles fans, a Valentine’s concert with

Beatlemania Now

•On Writing: Junot Díaz, winner of the 2008

Pulitzer Prize for fiction


Area lodges provide affordable accommodations with teacher

rates starting at $59 per night for economy motels and

$100 per night for luxury inns. In addition, restaurants

and retail shops offer significant teacher discounts

throughout the week. The discount programs are available

to public school teachers, district employees and their

guests. Details are online at IthacaLovesTeachers.com.


A half-day drive from most of the metro Northeast, Ithaca

is a progressive community known for breathtaking gorge

waterfalls, outstanding recreation and world-class

thinking. Home to Cornell University and Ithaca College,

the city’s rich culture, fine lodging and abundance of top-

quality restaurants make it an ideal base for any Finger

Lakes getaway. Travel and lodging information is available

at VisitIthaca.com, or 800-284-8422.


—30—