Fillmore Glen State Park will erupt with foam, fun, and family-friendly competition when Fillmore Days returns to Moravia from August 7–9. The annual event’s signature attraction—the bathtub races—promises sudsy spectacle and spirited cheers as teams race tubs down a bubble-lined route.
“You just need 4 people, aged 14 and over, to join in the crazy fun,” say event organizers. Participants can bring their own qualifying tub or rent one for $20. This year, spectators are invited to join the action by blowing bubbles to support the racers. “Bring your own supplies or use the wands and bubble solution provided along the parade route. We hope to see clouds of foam and froth!”
The festivities begin Thursday, August 8 with the “Forge the Gorge” trail run at 6 p.m., offering both 3- and 8-mile loops through the park. Online registration is required by 4 p.m. that day at fingerlakesrunners.org.
Friday brings a quieter start, with a hatha yoga class from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. emphasizing breath and body awareness. The session welcomes all experience levels and accepts donations to benefit the Friends of Fillmore. At 7 p.m., the Fillmore Room will host a family movie night.
Saturday is packed with nonstop activity. Gates open at 10 a.m. for food trucks, beverage vendors, craft booths, and lawn games. At 10:30, a new rubber ducky scavenger hunt begins for kids, followed by the crowd-favorite pedal derby for ages 4 to 8. The inaugural pie eating contest starts at noon with two age brackets—15 and under, and 16 and up—and cash prizes for each.
At 1 p.m., the main spectacle kicks off: the parade of tubs, the bathtub races, and, of course, bubble-blowing from the crowd. “The laughter and gaiety go up a notch,” organizers say. The Witchy Women of the Finger Lakes perform at 3 p.m., and the day wraps with a bicycle derby for kids aged 6 to 15.
Admission on Saturday is $1, with a $5 parking fee. Regular parking rates apply Thursday and Friday until 6 p.m. Empire Passes are accepted, and New York State residents aged 62 or older can enter for free on non-holiday weekdays. Veterans with a designated driver’s license can enter for free any day.
To register a tub, rent one, enter the pie contest, or volunteer, visit friendsoffillmoreglen.org or email [email protected].
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