Glass Harvest Makes Fall Sparkle

Glass Harvest Makes Fall Sparkle at
The Corning Museum of Glass, Finger Lakes Region, NY

Corning, NY – The shimmering beauty of summer in the Finger Lakes region of New York State is trumped only by the stunning colors of fall. Hills, fields and farms are resplendent with the rich tones of multi-colored trees, hearty pumpkins, and ripe red apples. Adding even more allure to the region is the vibrant Corning Museum of Glass, where guests can explore the world of sparkling glass this fall through a bountiful glass harvest.

In addition to galleries filled with more than 45,000 glass art and historical objects spanning 35 centuries (the largest collection in the world), hands-on exhibitions dealing with the science and technology of glass, and daily live glassblowing demonstrations, the Museum also offers a unique fall line-up of special activities, September 2 through October 31:

 Expert glassblowers create glass pumpkins, apples and other fall-inspired items on the Hot Glass Show stage during live, narrated Hot Glass Harvest Shows every morning. Flameworkers make smaller harvest-themed items at the torch.

 Working with professional glassmakers, all ages (as young as preschool) can blow molten glass to create their own glass pumpkins in 40-minute hands-on Make Your Own Glass experiences ($22 per person). Ages 14 and up can shape a colorful paperweight ($40 per person). Other projects are available (all ages, from $9 - $22 per person), including holiday ornaments!

 The weekend of October 11-13, those looking for professionally made fall-themed items to decorate their homes can pick a colorful pumpkin from the Glass Pumpkin Patch of the Museum’s international GlassMarket, one of the largest museum retail shops in the country. There will also be personal appearances by artists Robert Held and artists from the studio, Walker & Bowes, who specialize in making glass pumpkins.

The Corning Museum of Glass is located in America’s “Crystal City,” Corning, NY, in the heart of Finger Lakes Wine Country, surrounded by charming shops, abundant restaurants, and many unique glass galleries. The region is populated by several beautiful wine trails, featuring regional food, wine, and outdoor attractions, including gorges, lakes and waterfalls.

Other fall activities in the region include:

Genundowa - Native American Festival of Lights September 1-2, 2008
Wineglass Marathon October 5 , 2008
Cohocton Fall Foliage Festival & Tree Sitting Contest October 5-7, 2008
Crystal City Christmas November 24- December 1, 2008

Look at the events calendar to find other events in the county.

Visit www.corningfingerlakes.com for details, or to find great deals on accommodation packages.

The Museum is open 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. every day of the week. Visitors to the region’s wineries can easily enjoy a morning at The Corning Museum of Glass, then explore the surrounding wineries, orchards, and other outdoor attractions.

Corning, NY, and The Corning Museum of Glass are conveniently located directly off Exit 46 on I-86/Rte. 17. The town is 4 hours north of New York City, 2 hours south of Buffalo and 6 hours north of Washington, D.C.

The Corning Museum of Glass (www.cmog.org) is home to the world’s most comprehensive and celebrated collection of glass, with more than 45,000 objects reflecting 3,500 years of glassmaking history. An independent, non-profit, educational institution, the Museum is dedicated to the art, history, science, research and exhibition of glass. The Museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day and from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the summer. Children and teens 19 and under receive free admission.