SUNY Cortland partners with the city of Cortland to host a pair of Cortaca events downtown.
For the first time in its 65-year history, the Cortaca Jug rivalry will extend its festivities into downtown Cortland, as SUNY Cortland students and alumni team up with the City of Cortland for two exciting events on November 15 and 16.
Pre-Game Pep Rally – Friday, November 15
The Student Activities Board (SAB) will bring its annual pre-game pep rally to downtown Cortland, transforming the parking lot behind Bru 64 and a portion of Main Street into a hub of Red Dragon pride. Main Street, closed between Port Watson and West Court streets, will host the celebration from 7 to 9 p.m.
The evening will feature high-energy performances by SUNY Cortland's Cheer Team, Kickline, Danceworks, and local dance organizations. Alternative rock band 33 Black, hailing from Nevada, will headline the event, with additional attractions including a roaming photo booth, a living statue, chalk art, giveaways, raffles, and tabling by campus organizations.
Remarks will be delivered by Red Dragon Football Coach Kurt Fitzpatrick and Cortland Mayor Scott Steve.
Food lovers can enjoy bites from food trucks like Pig Vycious BBQ and Gorilla Street Hibachi, alongside downtown eateries, all of which will remain open for the event. A tent with a 700-person capacity, portable restrooms, and a stage and sound system provided by the city will enhance the experience. SAB will also run shuttle buses to and from campus, ensuring students have easy access to the festivities.
Crown City’s Cortaca Celebration – Saturday, November 16
On game day, the SUNY Cortland Alumni Association and the City of Cortland will host a downtown watch party for the Cortaca Jug game, welcoming fans from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Main Street will once again be closed off for the event. Under a large tent, fans can watch the highly anticipated game streamed on a big screen. Downtown establishments and food trucks will offer refreshments throughout the day, and post-game entertainment will feature live music.
These downtown Cortaca events represent a growing partnership between SUNY Cortland and the city, bringing students, alumni, and the community together for an unforgettable weekend of Red Dragon pride and Crown City spirit.
Parking Information
To accommodate the Cortaca festivities on Main Street, a portion of Main Street will be closed starting Friday afternoon, continuing through Friday night, and all day and night on Saturday.
This road closure will affect parking for permit holders in the Main Street lot and may impact other downtown parking due to increased visitors. To help with this, 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. Regular parking enforcement will resume on Sunday night.
Parking Instructions for Main Street Lot Permit Holders:
Primary Parking: Please use the parking spaces on Haskell Place (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.
Please note, no call-ins are needed to secure parking permission during this timeframe. Regular parking enforcement will still apply outside the Main Street area and downtown lots. 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.
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