Not A Typical Weekend

By: Paige Kleinfelder '14

Just one week ago, Elmira College students hurried to make sure their mothers would have a long distance Happy Mother’s Day. For me, it was easier, my mom just wanted to come up for the weekend and go to Ithaca. Friday afternoon I packed a bag and we headed to Ithaca. There were open studios and art events taking place throughout The Ithaca Commons, along with some interesting street performers, including a couple girls singing Ke$ha songs to an acoustic guitar. The State of the Art Gallery had the opening for its members show, including works by our very own Elmira artist, Jan Kather.

Towards the end of the night my mom and I stumbled upon an empty store front with a great deal of activity going on in the dimly lit space.


It was Arcades Project, the event that kicked off Spring Writes. More than a dozen tables filled the space, piled with books of poetry and short stories, miniature books, art prints and posters. I made sure to pick up a few prints by the local artist, Kaleb Hunkele. There was also video art playing on the walls and literary inspired installation art.


Saturday morning began early with a trip to the Ithaca Farmer’s Market.


My mom and I ate fresh breakfast pastries as we walked along the dock behind the Farmer’s Market. There were long rows of booths filled with everything locally made, including pastries, clothes, vegetables, and pottery. There was also live entertainment for the morning crowd, as one man filled the space with songs.


After we left with bags filled with fresh vegetables, loaves of bread and chocolate chip cookies, we headed back into Ithaca. There we came upon another unexpected sight. A portion of the road going into The Commons was blocked off by large red barriers. Upon closer look, it was a track lined with hay bales set up for a race. The Red Bull Chariot Races were taking place that afternoon. Of course I had to stick around to see that! Each team had two members pulling their homemade chariots, hauling the third member, around the track. There were a few chariots that collapsed and a lot of chariot riders that toppled out, but that certainly added to the event.


It was an event that could have benefitted from a few Purple and Gold Elmira College togas pulling a chariot. Maybe next year… we just have to keep the costumes from this year’s May Days theme.