Founders Day Weekend Celebration is August 11 & 12, 2023!

Come Celebrate Founder’s Day August 11 – 12
History, Music, Art and Treasures to Discover

Press contact: Kim Bauso, City of Auburn Parks & Recreation Clerk
315.255-4737   kbauso@auburnny.gov

FOUNDERS DAY 2023 WEBPAGE

Public Notice Regarding Temporary Street Closures for Founders day and Great Race Weekend (PDF)

For Immediate Release:  The City of Auburn, Auburn Downtown BID, NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center and Auburn’s Historic & Cultural Sites Commission proudly present their annual historic-themed festival to add to a summer packed with outdoor fun in downtown Auburn.

Main events will take place on Genesee Street, Exchange Street, State Street Plaza and the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center featuring various live music acts, a classic car cruise-in, hands-on art making activities, family fun, and mobile food & beverage vending. There are also historic trolley tours, programs and events happening at various historic & cultural sites in the city.

Cayuga Museum Carriage House Theater
Wednesday, August 9 @ 7 – 9PM join the Cayuga Museum and Seward House Museum for a discussion & book signing for “God’s Free-Man.” Ted Freeman shares his family’s critical role in Auburn’s history. A descendant of Harry and Kate Freeman—often recounted in early chronicles as enslaved people under Auburn founder John Hardenbergh—Ted Freeman challenges much of that narrative, telling instead an intimate story of family and place in “History’s Hometown.” Admission is free, with donations greatly appreciated. Space is limited, so reservations are strongly encouraged. https://cayugamuseum.org/gods-free-man-book-talk/

Friday, August 11

Music on the Mall @ State Street Bandshell
This popular summer concert series kicks off the weekend. Come enjoy music performed by Mike Powell and the Echo Sound from 7 – 10PM. The rain location is Moondog’s Lounge, also where the band Inside Job will perform afterward at 10PM, inside on the purple stage.

YMCA-WEIU Auburn Downtown Mile
The Downtown Mile returns this year; it starts at South & Fitch Streets at 7PM. Racers travel down South Street and take Loop Road to the finish line at State & Dill Streets. This one-mile race is presented by Active Physical Therapy Solutions, with after-race activities at Music on the Mall. Pre-registration is $15, sign-up by July 28 for a race shirt. Race day registration is $20. Race day packet pick-up at YMCA at 3 – 6PM. https://www.facebook.com/events/3302355669910262

Registration: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/75886/auburn-downtown-mile

Saturday, August 12

FLAACA Antique Cars: History on Wheels
The Annual Finger Lakes Region Antique Automobile Association (FLAACA) Antique Car Cruise-In features History on Wheels classic & antique cars of all makes and models presented on Genesee Street. The show runs from 9AM – 3PM, with DJ music provided by Good Time Charlie’s Mobile Entertainment. For more cruise-in information contact Jack Hardy at 315.253-2615.

Downtown Saturday Market

Come to the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center courtyard for artisan vending, specialty food & coffee, plus family fun with Jeff the Magic Man 9AM – 12PM, and Mega Bubble Man Playground 11:30AM – 1PM on the back lawn green space. Listen to classic rock performed by the band Total Recall 10AM – 1PM. Purchase the new “Meet Me in Auburn” merchandise line featuring t-shirts and hats. https://www.facebook.com/events/2062585944083728

Auburn Downtown BID Volunteer Mosaic Install @ Auburn Public Theater
Saturday and Sunday @ 10AM – 2PM come work on a captivating mural project to enhance the community space on the back side of APT off Exchange Street Plaza. Whether you're an experienced mosaic artist or just lending a helping hand, involvement is greatly appreciated. All materials and guidance are provided. The group will mosaic on Saturday and grout on Sunday with artists Amanda Tallcott, Kevin Burke and Jesse Kline. Volunteers are encouraged to attend both days to help celebrate the arts in Auburn. This is the Auburn Downtown BID’s third public art project, funded by the NYS Department of State & Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

https://www.facebook.com/events/668816298618082

Exchange Street Family Fun
From 11AM – 1PM Auburn Doubledays are hosting photo ops with Abner & Casey, and free kid’s face painting by Confetti Pop Entertainment. Nate the Great will perform as well, plus COCO & Co. Salon will offer tinsel fairy hair.

Trolley Tours

City of Auburn Founder's Day Ride through History Trolley Tours with the Seward House Museum are offered from 9AM – 1PM. Join the Director of Education for a 45-minute tour that will travel by the Seward Mansion, Seward Park, the Tubman and Seward gravesites, Tubman’s church, and other historic sites throughout the city. Board the trolley at the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center, 25 South Street. Convenient, free parking located in the adjacent parking garage. Tours are free, yet reservations are required for limited seating. https://www.facebook.com/events/588206396796775/588210566796358

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ride-through-history-trolley-tours-tickets-...

Downtown Vendors

Combined to offer breakfast, lunch and dinner, participating food & beverage vendors include A.T. Walley, Authentic Jerk, Leo’s Donut Factory, Next Chapter Brewpub, Parker’s Bar & Grille, Poppy’s Ice Cream Truck, Real Pit BBQ, Shepherds Brewing Co., Thirsty Pug Craft Beer, Tony’s Lemonade and Tonzi’s Catering. They will be serving up adult beverages, grilled summer favorites, plus ice cream & sweets.

A.T. Walley

Walley’s will be serving their festival menu outdoors. Items include steak and cheese, sausage, peppers & onions, burgers, chicken wings and a fried chicken sandwich with your choice of Nashville hot or Buffalo wing style.

Next Chapter Brewpub

The Brewpub & outdoor patio space will be open extended hours from 11AM – 10PM. They will serve brunch and offer food and drink specials. Staff will also have a beverage tent set up near the Showmobile on Genesee Street from 2 – 9PM.

Parker’s Grille & Tap House
Parker’s will have an outdoor bar setup in their patio space to serve beers, seltzers, and wine slushies. Their kitchen will be open for dine-in and takeout all day and night.

Shepherds Brewing Co.

Shep’s will be grilling Hoffman hots, and sausage & peppers, plus pouring craft beer, wine, cider, seltzers, and wine slushies inside.

Thirsty Pug Craft Beer
Pug will offer their patrons 10% off pints and menu items like their Caprese Panini made with sun dried sourdough bread, basil pesto, mozzarella cheese & Roma tomatoes, plus toasted raviolis, chicken tenders, fries & tots served with homemade beer cheese.

Divine Coverings offers bedazzled and blinged products for women and girls. Discover your next pair of handcrafted, uniquely designed sunglasses, fashion frames, readers as well as bejeweled tumblers, coffee mugs, water bottles, business card holders and more. Find the Divine Coverings table in front of Melody's - Auburn's newest co-working and event space at 128 Genesee Street. 

Information Displays

Community service agencies & businesses offer information and resources. These include CHAD Counseling, Planet Fitness – Auburn, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, NYS Office of Disabilities, and Auburn Community Cats TNR.

Finger Lakes News Radio
Classic Hits 99.3 will be broadcasting live from the event from 11AM - 1PM. Come visit with radio station staff and try your luck at the cash pop-up booth next to the side stage.
https://www.facebook.com/FingerLakesNewsRadio

Entertainment Schedule
Main acts will perform on the Showmobile Stage on Genesee Street near the Dill/William Street intersection facing east, between Shepherd’s Brewing Co. and Thirsty Pug Craft Beer. The side stage will be in front of the old KeyBank building. There will also be dance and choral performances in State Street Plaza by Genesee Street Voices @ Noon – 12:45PM and the Witchy Women of the Finger Lakes @ 1:30PM. https://www.facebook.com/witchywomenofthefingerlakes

• Total Recall 10am - 1pm Heritage Center Courtyard Stage
• Gold Dust Gypsies 2 - 4PM Showmobile Stage
• Glass Image 4 - 6PM Side Stage
• Dirtroad Ruckus 6 - 9PM Showmobile Stage

Summer Festival of the Creative Arts @ Willard Memorial Chapel
Attend the annual outdoor music & arts festival at the historic Willard Memorial Chapel. From 10AM – 4PM take a free tour to learn about Georgiana and Caroline Willard, the sisters & founders of the “Tiffany Treasure of the Finger Lakes.” Family will enjoy the creative pursuit of the day, a Tiffany window ornament making workshop offered from 11AM – 2PM. www.willard-chapel.com

An event highlight is the Finger Lakes Art Council’s Summer Festival of the Creative Arts. Artisans and craft vendors will be outside on the south lawn with a wide variety of hand-crafted items for purchase, plus silent auction items and an antique car display. Vendors include Karen Garrett & Sara Douglass, Kristine Willauer, Alyssa Carlisle, Ann Frame/Donna Miner, Kat Alexander, Lauren Dowd, Amy Iselin, Ron Bachta, Marianne Langtry, Eleanor Rhinehart, Todd Tanner, Laura Ponticello & more. Shop local artisans’ creations while surrounded by FLAC’s hand-painted life-size Auburn Historical Figures. There will also be a group of plein air artists painting onsite. https://www.facebook.com/events/589495146535014

Festival live entertainment schedule: 10AM – 2PM Free Range Children; 12:30 – 2PM Bob Lyna and Nuclear Ukulele; and 2:30 – 4PM Dynamix. Food options include Mooney’s BBQ SCAT Van fundraiser, XL Cookie Company, plus Ciao pizza fritte (10AM – 2PM) will be available.

Cayuga Museum & Case Research Lab
Saturday, from 11AM - 4PM visitors get $5 discounted admission to the museum, which includes the Lab tour offered on the hour. Last tour is at 3PM.

With the 45th annual Great Race happening on Sunday, August 13th, Auburn will be at its very best offering a weekend filled with history, art, music, outdoor recreation, and treasures to discover. https://www.facebook.com/events/5778309495619419

For more info please call 315.255-4737 or visit the Founder’s Day Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/auburnnyfoundersday/, and webpage www.auburnny.gov/foundersday.

Founders Day 2023 is sponsored by the City of Auburn with funding support from the City of Auburn’s American Rescue Plan Act allocation. Mayor Quill and members of City Council have allocated City of Auburn ARPA funds to support Founders Day 2023 with a goal of boosting the event’s recovery from the pandemic and to boost the tourism, travel, and hospitality industry in Auburn. Additional sponsorship is being provided by The Hilton Garden Inn, The Citizen & Amplified Digital.

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