Ithaca’s Winter Recess Teachers Festival Opens Friday

Ithaca, N.Y.—Organizers expect 5,000 teachers and family members from New York and 10 states to attend Ithaca’s Winter Recess festival, which opens Friday for its fourth year.The annual event celebrates pre K-12 teachers, school employees, retirees and their families with a calendar of 100 events and an assortment of educator specials at more than 185 locations around Ithaca. A record 163 local businesses are participating with deals on dining, lodging, spas, winery tours and activities throughout the area.“The community has really come out in force to thank teachers,” said Fred Bonn, director of the Ithaca/Tompkins Convention & Visitors Bureau, event coordinator. “It’s a tough year for everyone in public education and this is one way we can show we care. We may not be able to change state budgets, but we can say thanks with a week of special treatment for educators.”Winter Recess highlights include a performance by dance troupe Galumpha, live comedy with Tonight Show regular Greg Behrendt and sold-out concerts with John Prine, Phil Lesh and Bob Weir. The week’s literary highlight is a presentation by author Phillip Meyer, a candidate for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction with his acclaimed debut novel, American Rust.Winter Recess registration opens Fri., Feb. 12 at 10am and continues daily through Feb. 21. Registration is free with school ID or other proof of employment. Participants can register at:* The Ithaca Visitors Bureau, 904 East Shore Drive, Ithaca (607) 272-1313* The Downtown Visitor Center, Center Ithaca on the Commons (607) 273-7482* Participating hotels, inns and B&Bs (for their overnight guests)The full calendar, menu of deals, lodging discounts and event information are all online at IthacaLovesTeachers.com. For more information, contact the Visitors Bureau at (800) 284-8422.