NEWSLETTER
Corning, NY — Once again during the last weekend of October, Corning will be transformed into 1880s Corning, as Explore Steuben hosts the popular three-day event called The Days of Incandescence which is inspired by Corning’s role making first glass bulbs for Thomas Edison’s incandescent lamps and a mysterious young shop boy at the factory who blew the first glass bubble. The overall event (10/24-10/26) features cemetery tours, guided walking tours (led by actors in costume), a fun themed Libations Crawl, and an old-time festival with folk-style music and craft vendors, live entertainment, and costumed actors to help create an 1880s feel.
Recently, TravelPulse magazine named Days of Incandescence one of New York State’s best October events.
There are two exciting new additions to this year’s Days of Incandescence Celebration: live pumpkin carving by world record carver Eric Jones on the Centerway Square Stage and the World Premiere of new music as well as some Halloween classics “Phantoms of the Light” at 171 Cedar Arts (both activities are free and family-friendly).
Pumpkin Carving
World record pumpkin carver Eric Jones (also known for his Buffalo Bills Snow Sculptures) will be carving a giant pumpkin on the Centerway Square Stage from 2:30-6:30pm on Saturday, October 26th. You may have seen Eric on the Food Network where he won “Outrageous Pumpkin” and was a finalist on “Halloween Wars.” This October, you can find him on Food Network’s “Halloween Wars All-Stars Season 14.” The event is FREE and open to the public.
World Premiere of Music
Local musician, Russel Anthony has taken The Legend of the Gathers picture book story and created new original music which will be performed during a FREE family-friendly concert at 171 Cedar Arts Center from 3-4pm on Saturday, October 26th. The music, which has a Halloween vibe, will be performed by Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes’ Augusto Diemecke on Violin and Christine Lowe-Diemecke on Cello, with Ithaca College and Binghamton University faculty member and accomplished pianist Pej Reitz on Piano. The performance will feature approximately 45-minutes of hauntingly delightful music which will also include several popular Halloween songs from movies, as well as familiar classical pieces which have been curated especially for the concert.
Days of Incandescence Celebration
Saturday, October 26th
4-8pm
FREE ADMISSION
World Record Pumpkin Carver (Eric Jones) 2:30-6:30pm
Centerway Square Stage
Story Stations 3:00-5:00pm
Engage with actors in costume portraying historic Corning residents
Horse and Wagon Rides (small fee for rides) 3:00-7:00pm
Rides Depart Centerway Square in Front of Old World Café
Live Music (Silver Lining)
Juggling (Nate the Great)
Street Magic (Collin Ward)
Artisan & Food Vendors
Headless Horseman
Tales of the Past (Cathie Wiggs)
Face Painting (Jen Sekella)
Fire Spinner (Ayla Rose)
Kid’s Activities
Community Jack-o-Lantern Contest 5-7pm
The public is invited to carve jack-o-lanterns at home, bring them to Riverfront Park where they will be illuminated helping make Corning GLOW and sharing the light. Public vote for the Top 5 jack-o-lanterns with prizes, including a grand prize of $250. For contest rules, visit:
https://exploresteuben.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Jack-O-Lantern-Content-Flyer-FNL.pdf
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The Steuben County Conference and Visitors Bureau (SCCVB), DBA Explore Steuben, is a not-for-profit, 501(c)6 non-membership organization established in 1994 and the official tourism development and marketing organization for Steuben County, NY. Explore Steuben’s mission is to stimulate the local tourism economy through authentic storytelling, supporting and developing destination amenities, and connecting visitors to the Southern Finger Lakes.
Contact: Dave DeGolyer, Director of Communications
Explore Steuben
607-426-5371 (cell)