A four-day celebration of outdoor adventure with a special visit from the Corning Museum of Glass Mobile Hot Shop

This Independence Day weekend, The Wild Center invites visitors of all ages to unplug and reconnect with nature at the Get Outside Festival, a four-day celebration of outdoor adventure, creativity, and hands-on exploration taking place July 3–6, 2025.

From fly fishing and canoeing to nature journaling and fort building, the Get Outside Festival offers an immersive lineup of programming designed to spark curiosity and inspire time in the natural world. Guests can explore daily live glassblowing demonstrations with the Corning Museum of Glass Mobile Hot Shop, explore trails during the You Otter Run 5K, enjoy creative play in the Art Tent, or participate in nature-based activities on the museum’s trails, waterfront, and outdoor play areas.

Festival Highlights:

Corning Museum of Glass Mobile Hot Shop
Watch expert glassmakers transform molten glass into dazzling works of art in a state-of-the-art glassblowing studio on wheels. Demonstrations with live narration will take place throughout each day. Wild Center Members receive a special preview on Wednesday, July 2, during the first Member Meetup Afternoon event from 4 to 6 PM. Members will be the first to see live demonstrations while enjoying snacks and crafts. The preview event is free for members, but registration is required.

You Otter Run 5K (Thursday, July 4 at 10 AM)
Kick off your holiday with a family-friendly trail run through The Wild Center’s scenic campus. Participants receive a medal and a special visit from Ollie the Otter. Registration includes same-day general admission. Separate registration is required and can be purchased online or in person.

Opening of a New Trail Extension
Last summer, the Fen Trail opened as a down-and-back path to the Raquette River fen, a previously unexplored section of The Wild Center’s campus. Just in time for the Get Outside Festival, the trail is expanding into a mile-long loop featuring new Raquette River Roll installations—interactive ball runs made from natural materials that offer even more opportunities for hands-on play. The trail is included with admission, and visitors can purchase wooden balls at the trailhead or inside at The Wild Supply Co.

Daily Naturalist Walks, Artmaking, and Outdoor Activities
Join guided experiences like Woodpecker Wandering, explore edible and medicinal plants, create nature journals, paddle the Raquette River, try your hand at fly fishing, and build fairy houses and stick forts in the Pines Play Area. In addition, festivalgoers can meet naturalists and artists, enjoy caricature drawings, participate in paper-making, and join in on campfire storytelling by the river on select days.

All festival programming is included with regular admission to The Wild Center, with the exception of the 5K run, which requires a separate registration.

For tickets and more information, visit wildcenter.org/getoutside.

The Get Outside Festival is supported through a Market New York grant awarded by Empire State Development and I LOVE NY, New York State’s Division of Tourism.

The Wild Center’s programs are also made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.