Where to eat, drink and shop in downtown Cortland during Cortaca Weekend.
This Cortaca Jug weekend, we’re rolling out the red carpet for all Red Dragons, alumni, visitors, and community members as SUNY Cortland and the City of Cortland come together to celebrate in true Crown City style! From lively pep rallies to game-day excitement, we’ve got everything you need to know for an unforgettable weekend in downtown Cortland.
Be sure to check back as more specials and events are announced. Downtown businesses offering specials or hosting events: email michelle@experiencecortland.com to be featured.
Friday, November 15: Pre-Game Pep Rally
Time: 7 - 9 p.m.
Location: Behind Bru 64 & Main Street (closed between Port Watson and West Court)
Kick off the weekend with SUNY Cortland’s Pre-Game Pep Rally, set to transform downtown into a sea of red and white. Performances by SUNY Cortland’s Cheer Team, Kickline, Danceworks, and local groups will keep the energy high, while 33 Black, an alternative rock band, will headline with live music. Expect photo ops, chalk art, raffles, giveaways, a living statue, and campus orgs setting up tables to get everyone pumped for game day!
Food trucks Pig Vycious BBQ and Gorilla Street Hibachi will be parked and ready to serve up delicious bites, and local restaurants and shops will be open with plenty of specials. Shuttle buses will be available for students to make getting downtown easy and safe.
More Friday Evening Happenings
Want to keep the festivities rolling? Here are a few other spots to check out downtown:
The Vault at 35 Main Street will host a pre-game celebration with live music from Adam Lee Decker from 6-9 p.m. Admission is $10, and tickets are available online.
BRU64 will have live music starting at 6 p.m. featuring local favorite Molly and the Ringwalds.
Rose Hall welcomes Loren & LJ Barrigar with Mike Powell at 6 p.m. for a night of soulful tunes (tickets are available online).
Between or after the festivities, swing by one of our local eateries to fuel up for the big day ahead! Visit Experience Cortland for a full list of restaurants, and check restaurant Facebook pages for specials.
Saturday, November 16 - Game Day & Crown City Cortaca Celebration
Time: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Location: Main Street (closed between Port Watson and West Court)
On game day, experience the Cortaca Jug like never before with the Crown City’s Cortaca Celebration, a downtown watch party and celebration! From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., fans can catch all the action live-streamed on a big screen under a large tent. After the game, stick around for live music, dance performances, and more as we celebrate Red Dragon pride together.
Where to Fuel Up
Make it a full day with an early breakfast at:
BRU64, New York Bagel Cafe and Deli and Cortland Diner (all open at 7 a.m.)
M&D Deli (opens at 8 a.m.)
The Student Deli (opens at 9 a.m.)
Veracruzana Restaurant y tienda (opens at 10 a.m.)
Food trucks Pig Vycious BBQ and Gorilla Street Hibachi will also be open by 8 a.m. and ready to serve.
Many downtown eateries will be open and serving up delicious lunch, including favorites like -
Gorgers Cortland (open 11 a.m.-9 p.m.) will offer their special Red Dragon Plate—a delicious combination of fresh-cut fries, chopped cheese, chipotle ranch mac salad, and their signature Dragon Sauce.
Central City Bar & Grill will open an hour early for kickoff (11 a.m.-9 p.m.).
Crisol, an exciting new addition to downtown Cortland, will have a limited menu available from their tent on Main Street, giving fans a sample of their unique offerings.
Be sure to check restaurant Facebook pages for the latest food and drink specials.
Where to Get Your SUNY Cortland Gear
No Cortaca weekend is complete without some Red Dragon gear! Here’s where you can find the best SUNY Cortland merchandise downtown:
Bernard’s Custom Logo & Trophy: Swing by their Main Street location (31 Main Street) during the week or find them at the Crown City Cortaca Celebration starting at 9 a.m. for SUNY Cortland apparel and souvenirs.
Lot 1 Vintage: Located at 79 Main Street and open from 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. during the week, Lot 1 Vintage is your go-to for unique, old-school Cortland finds.
The Red Jug Pub: Pick up one of their exclusive Cortaca t-shirts to show off your Red Dragon pride.
Best Downtown Spots to Watch the Game
For an indoor game-viewing experience, plenty of local spots on Main Street will be ready to welcome fans:
Keep the Fun Going All Night
The excitement doesn’t end with the final whistle! After the Cortaca Jug game, keep the celebration going with post-game entertainment right in the heart of downtown Cortland.
Following the game, the viewing area will host local music and dance groups to keep the energy high. For those looking for even more music, Cortland Beer Company will feature Soul Citizen Disco starting at 8 p.m.
If you're in the mood for a hearty dinner, our downtown restaurants are ready to welcome fans with delicious dishes. Check out the specials at The Community, The Hollywood, Pontillo's, Los Lagos and many more.
Parking Information
To accommodate the excitement of Cortaca festivities, a portion of Main Street will be closed starting Friday afternoon, continuing through Friday night and all day Saturday. Here’s what you need to know about parking options and adjustments for the weekend.
Main Street Lot and Permit Holder Parking: Due to the road closure, Main Street Lot permit holders will have modified parking instructions:
Primary Parking: Use the parking spaces on Haskell Place (located behind BRIX).
Additional Parking: If Haskell Place is full, you may park on Main Street in the spaces between BRIX and Tompkins Trust Bank on Friday.
Extended Parking Permissions for Visitors and Downtown Patrons: The City Police Department has extended parking permissions for the entire downtown area, including all lots and street parking, from Thursday evening through Sunday evening. This means additional parking will be available to accommodate the influx of alumni, fans, and visitors.
No call-ins are needed to secure parking permission during this timeframe. However, regular parking enforcement will still apply outside of the Main Street area and downtown lots. Regular parking enforcement will resume on Sunday night.
This extended parking plan allows all Cortaca fans, alumni, and community members to celebrate with ease. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the City Clerk’s office at 607-758-8331 or the City Police Department at 607-756-2811.
Whether you’re here to watch the game, catch up with friends, or support our local businesses, we’re excited to welcome you to the Crown City Cortaca Celebration.
Come for the game—stay to celebrate and support local! Go Red Dragons!
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