Ribbon Cutting, with Board President Max Buckner and Friends of the Ithaca Market President Monika Roth (holding scissors), plus honored guests and founders of the Market. May 6, 2023.
50th Anniversary Ribbon Cutting at the Market!
May 6, 2023
It was a special Saturday at our Pavilion at Steamboat Landing when we officially kicked off our 50th Season with a ribbon-cutting event, followed by live music, and a visit from our friends at the Cornell B.A.B.Y. Lab!
The season long celebration of our 50th Anniversary began with a ceremonial Ribbon Cutting hosted by Ithaca Farmers Market and Friends of the Ithaca Market, with support from Tompkins Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Bureau. The event took place on the dock side of our Pavilion, on the Cayuga Lake Waterfront Trail. Speakers included Tompkins Chamber Vice President of Tourism/CVB Director Peggy Coleman, City of Ithaca Mayor Laura Lewis, and Dan Klein, representing the County Legislature. State Senator Lea Webb and Assemblywoman Anna Kelles also spoke.
“Ithaca Farmers Market is a bedrock of our community, and today I was thrilled to celebrate 50 years with them! The market is essential for our farmers, economy, and the wider community. By providing a communal gathering spot, serving as an incubator for small businesses, bringing economic growth and revitalization to the waterfront, and providing food security, the contributions of the market are innumerable!” Kelles said.
In addition to local officials, the Market recognized some of its founders and long-term vendors: Ann Rider (founding Board Secretary), Anna Steinkraus (early Board President who helped secure our Steamboat Landing site), and Chris and Ginny Gartlein, whose Raintree Farm was a founding vendor, and who have been with us for 50 years.
Our own Caroyln Clark, vendor and poet, read work created for the occasion.
– poem by Carolyn Clark, read at the ceremony, May 6, 2023.The Ithaca Farmers Market Golden Anniversary Miracle
Circa forty clouds
Farmers Market early years
names “still standing” – grow!
Plans for market pavilion and parking lot improvements were also on display.
After the presentations, a gold ribbon was cut to signal the launch of the next 50 years!
Our Pavilion looks great with our new 50th Annivesary banner hanging high above our customers. April 8, 2023. 
Ann Ryder speaks during the ceremony. Photo by Dominick Recckio. 
Chris and Ginny Gartlein. Photo by Dominick Recckio. 
Anna Steinkraus speaks while Monika Roth (President of Friends of the Ithaca Market, R) and Joe Daley (L) a former City Council member responsible for finding the Market Steamboat Landing Market site. 
Anna Kelles, State Assembly, speaking during the ceremony. Photo by Dominick Recckio. 
IFM Board President Max Buckner speaks during the ceremony. Photo by Dominick Recckio. 
View from behind the speakers, May 6, 2023. 
Anna Steinkraus and Ginny Gartlein after the event. 
Students from Cornell’s B.A.B.Y. Lab were on hand with parent and child activities.