The popular three-day Schuyler County Italian American Festival kicks off for its 2026 edition Thursday, Aug. 13 at Clute Park in Watkins Glen.
The event, which runs 4-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday and noon to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, features exciting daily carnival rides, live entertainment, more than 40 food and craft vendors, a beer tent with fresh clams, a community parade, a cornhole tournament, bingo and a fireworks finale over Seneca Lake.
“We are so excited that the Italian festival is setting up at Clute Park,” said Nigar Hale, executive director of the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce. “It is an iconic location that the community will have the opportunity to enjoy, with the views of Seneca Lake and celebrating the Italian heritage of this community, which is huge.”
One of the best parts of the festival is discovering all the amazing 40 plus vendors, Hale said. More than 25 of those vendors are joining the festival for the first time, making it one of the event’s most exciting vendor lineups.
People at the festival will also find even more food and sweet treats throughout the carnival midway.
Hale said the festival is a long-standing tradition, reminding the community of its Italian roots.
“It’s great to see the festival being held in mid-August, back to the time that it has always been held.” Hale said.
“It’s extraordinary for a volunteer committee to be able to pull off a festival of this magnitude. The committee is hoping for about 10,000 people to attend the three-day event.”
The parade will begin at noon Saturday on 12th Street, running through Decatur Street in downtown Watkins Glen, ending at Lafayette Park, officials said. The parade is the only festival event not at Clute Park. The fireworks will start at about 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Clute Park.
Parking at Clute Memorial Park is $5 during festival hours. Additional parking is available throughout the Village of Watkins Glen. There is no admission fee for the festival.
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Italian American Festival returns to Watkins Glen Aug. 13-15. What’s new
Reporting by Jeff Smith, Elmira Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jeff Smith, Elmira Star-Gazette | USA TODAY Network
