Ithaca College

From a fireworks display and a barbecue, to trips to the Farmers Market and Taughannock Falls, Ithaca College is making sure that the Labor Day weekend is a memorable one for both new and returning students. 

This opening weekend of the academic year — dubbed First Bomber Weekend — will provide students with a whole host of activities Sept. 1–4 designed to help them have fun getting to know both one another and the local community.

Things kick off on Friday with the IConnections Carnival and Fountain Fest, at which first-year students will throw a cupful of water into the iconic Dillingham Center fountains, earning them the right to throw themselves into the water in four years during the traditional Senior Class Fountain Jump.

Once darkness falls on Friday night, the skies over South Hill will light up with a spectacular fireworks show, celebrating the college’s new students, new president, and 125th anniversary. The 15-minute display will begin at about 9:30 p.m. with fireworks launched from the upper Allen football practice field, which is located near the main entrance to campus off Rt. 96B.

For those inclined to get physical, Saturday’s events include morning yoga, use of the Fitness Center’s climbing wall and some competitive sand volleyball games. Free buses will take students to and from the Ithaca Farmers Market in the middle of the day, while evening will bring the opportunity to kick back with some popcorn to watch a showing of the 1986 comedy classic, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”

Sunday has been designated as Downtown Day, with free TCAT transportation from campus to the Ithaca Commons and back. Students will get to enjoy the best of local offerings, with samples and discounts inside shops and eateries. Entertainment will be provided at the Bernie Milton Pavilion by Ithaca College student groups. Later that day, stop by Bomber Trivia in IC Square to test your knowledge on facts about our community.

Students will get to “gorge out” on Monday. Extra energy can be burned off by the trip to Taughannock Falls State Park for hiking and swimming and all can finish the weekend relaxing with the ice cream social served on the Lower Quad.

First Bomber Weekend is a collaborative program sponsored by the Offices of Residential life, Alumni Relations, Recreational Sports, and Public Safety.

Find more information about each event and let us know if you are planning to attend by visiting the Ithaca College Events Calendar!

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Joelle Albertsman at jalbertsman@ithaca.edu or (607) 274-3215. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.