Party for the Park tickets, volunteer opportunity, free carousel and more

Party for the Park Ticket and Raffle, Volunteer Opportunity, Last Free Carousel Day, and more!

Join Friends of Stewart Park and Wharton Studio Museum for our 9th annual Party for the Park fundraiser!


There’s less than two weeks to get your tickets for this year’s Party! We’re celebrating our current Roaring 20s by bringing the party back to the Roaring 1920s when silent movies were all the cat’s meow, jazz was playing in secret clubs downtown, and Ithacans were gathering in their new public lakeside park.


Come as you are, or if you’d like, wear a sparkly headband, flapper dress, or Great Gatsby inspired suit! We just want you there! This year’s party will include live jazz, an incredible raffle (details below), and local wine, beer and cider. Van Nobel Farm will cater a full farm-to-table meal including appetizer and dessert. Get your tickets early to help our caterer plan!


Help spread the word about the party! Like and share the event on Facebook!

Raffle Prizes include this Wilderness Pungo 10.5’ Kayak, Personal Floatation Device, and waterproof phone compartment sponsored by Lincoln Morse of Discover Ithaca.

This year's Party for the Park includes an incredible raffle with over nearly $2000 worth of prizes, including a $1500 Kayak Package! Buy your tickets in advance or at the party! Online ticket buyers will be presented with physical raffle tickets at Party for the Park. Must be present to win.

We are so grateful for all volunteers! They help make Stewart Park the incredible place we all love, and have fun doing it! We have a Weekday Workday volunteer opportunity Wednesday, Sept. 18, between 11 am and 2 pm. We hope you can come out for a while over your lunch time and help FSP prepare the park for fall!


Tasks include: Trimming lakeshore vegetation and Picnic Pavilion cleanup. We’ll meet rain or shine, as the Pavilion is under cover and can be cleaned even if it’s pouring out!


Like and share the event on Facebook.


More details: FSP has cleaning tools available, but you can help on the shoreline, you can also bring your own gloves, hand loppers, pruners and hedge trimmers Wear boots or sturdy shoes. FSP has some tools as well! Meet at the Picnic “Large” Pavilion to sign-in and get directions.

Friends of Stewart Park is enhancing Stewart Park to make it as comfortable, inviting and accessible as possible. Visit our website to learn more about furnishing sponsorship options. Every sponsored furnishing includes a custom dedication!


All furnishing are high quality with sustainability in mind. Playground and Splash Pad seating from Loll is made from recycled milk jugs!

Just one Carousel Day left this season, and it's a good one! The Stewart Park Carousel will be free for all Sunday Sept. 15, thanks to sponsor Namaste Montessori! They're celebrating 20 years of honoring the light in every child!

We invite you to check out this video, filled with magical moments on the Waterfront Trail and in Stewart Park captured by Frank Muller, Friends of Stewart Park's landscape gardener, and nature photographer.