Ithaca is rolling the dice this winter on an unusual

celebration for an improbable group of VIPs. The Finger

Lakes community is pooling its resources and betting on a

first-ever festival honoring New York State public school

teachers.


Ithaca’s “Winter Recess,” Feb. 17-24, offers the state’s

pre-K-12 teachers and their guests a discounted week of

outdoor recreation, indoor relaxation and entertaining

education. Held during the statewide February school

break, Winter Recess takes all Ithaca’s assets: its

attractions, theaters, spas, shops, restaurants, clubs and

inns—adds the brainpower of Cornell University, Ithaca

College and Tompkins Cortland Community College—and puts

it on sale for a teacher-friendly week of mental and

physical rejuvenation. The celebration allows teachers a

chance to relax, refresh and renew among friends at what

may be the nation’s first statewide teachers festival.


“We’ve looked, and can’t find a city anywhere that’s tried

this before,” said Fred Bonn, director of the Ithaca

Tompkins Convention & Visitors Bureau. “It’s risky

committing your entire town to a celebration of teaching,

but we feel strongly about this. Ithaca is built on

education. It’s our industry. With this event, we’re

coming together as a community to acknowledge teachers

across the state and say, thanks—we get it.”


The weeklong celebration offers a packed calendar of

family events, headline concerts, theater performances,

winter recreation, winery tours and more. Most events are

free or steeply discounted for visiting educators. Among

the notable speakers and performers:


• Louis Sachar, author of the Newbery Medal-

winning “Holes”

• Bluegrass artists Rani Arbo and Jerry Douglas

• Comedian and Tonight Show regular Jeff Dunham

• Renowned concert violinist Leila Josefowicz

• From the PBS Nova series, “The Elegant Universe,”

physicist Sylvester James Gates


Area lodges are providing affordable accommodations during

the event with teacher rates ranging from $45 per night

for economy motels to $99 per night for luxury, four-star

inns. In addition, area restaurants and retail shops are

offering significant teacher discounts throughout the

week. The discount programs are available to all public

school teachers, district employees and their guests.

Union membership, school IDs or letters of employment are

required at check in. Details will be posted Thanksgiving

weekend at IthacaLovesTeachers.com.


Less than a half-day’s drive from everywhere in New York,

Ithaca is a progressive community renowned 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.