Auburn will come alive this weekend with the first-ever Summer Homecoming Weekend, a three-day citywide celebration packed with music, art, food, and family-friendly activities.
Running from Friday, August 8 through Sunday, August 10, the event is a rebrand of the city’s long-running Founders Day Festival and aims to spotlight the best of downtown Auburn and its surrounding cultural landmarks.
Friday night kicks off with a free concert at the State Street Bandshell featuring Chris Eves and the New Normal from 7 to 10 p.m. The performance, held on the block between Genesee and Dill Streets, is sponsored by the Auburn Downtown BID, the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center, and the City of Auburn.
On Saturday, August 9, a full schedule of events will be spread across the city, all connected by a free shuttle running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Highlights include:
- A downtown Saturday Market at the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with artisan vendors, face painting, balloon art, live music by Honky Tonk Hindooz and Sydney Irving, and a meet-and-greet with princess characters.
- A family fun zone at the State Street Event Plaza and live music including Way of Guitar and Perform 4 Purpose.
- A block party on Genesee Street featuring three bands: Ruby Shooz (noon–2 p.m.), Showtime the Band (2:30–4 p.m.), and Mark Doyle and the Maniacs (4:30–6 p.m.).
- The Seward House Museum will offer a free walking tour at 9:30 a.m.
- The Willard Memorial Chapel will host the Finger Lakes Art Council’s Festival of Art & Crows with 25 artists, food, and music.
- At the West End Arts Campus, kids can enjoy bubble entertainment, rocket-building activities, and a puppet performance by Dusty & Dott.
Historic sites like the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park will be open for tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday.
The weekend wraps up Sunday, August 10, with the 47th annual Great Race Team Triathlon at Emerson Park, starting at 9:30 a.m. The event combines running, biking, and paddling, and is followed by a lakeside after-party on Deauville Island.
For race registration and full event details, visit www.great-race.com.
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