ITHACA, NY (WHCU) – The unofficial start to summer in Ithaca is here.

With both IC and Cornell graduations in the rearview, Ithacans are turning their eyes to seasonal celebrations. They won’t have to wait long. Ithaca Festival returns this week, with the parade set to kick everything off on Thursday at 6 p.m. followed by Maddy Walsh and the Blind Spots from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Bernie Milton Pavilion on the Commons.

All of the festival staples are returning. There will be tons of food options, arts and crafts, and dozens of performers are set to hit three different stages through Sunday.