Dossier: The F.L.X. Summer Fest at The Glen

So, you're heading to the F.L.X. Summer Fest at The Glen? Smart move. It's a massive party celebrating everything the Finger Lakes region has to offer, all happening at a world-famous racetrack. Here’s the inside scoop on how to do it right.

The Vibe

More Than Just Wine

The old Finger Lakes Wine Festival got a big makeover. It’s now the F.L.X. Summer Fest at The Glen, a huge party celebrating the whole region, not just the wine. ¹ The goal is an "immersive experience for families and friends" that captures the "spirit of summer". ²

It's still the biggest showcase of New York State wines, but now there's way more to do. ⁶ They've added family-friendly stuff like a Kid's Zone, games, and a 5K fun run. ¹ This brings in a bigger crowd and encourages people to make a whole weekend of it, especially with all the on-site camping. ¹

Sights, Sounds, and Smells

So, what’s it like? Imagine live bands playing on stages like The Cabernet Courtyard, mixed with the roar of engines. ¹⁰ Yep, you can watch pace cars and high-performance vehicles from groups like the Porsche Club of America doing hot laps around the 3.45-mile track. That’s a thrill you won’t get at any other food fest. ⁷

Visually, it's a party on a racetrack. Massive, air-conditioned tents house over 90 wineries, creating a pop-up village on the pit road. ^{6, 16} It kicks off Friday night with a toga-themed "Launch of the Lakes" party, complete with fireworks over the track. ¹¹ The air smells like a mix of 600 different wines, plus pizza, burgers, and artisanal cheese from all the food trucks. ⁸

What to Do

The main event is still the wine tasting. You get a commemorative glass at the entrance, which is your ticket to sample a wild variety of New York wines. ¹¹ You can wander from booth to booth, and there are rinsing stations everywhere so each wine tastes fresh. ¹⁴ Best of all, you can chat with the actual winemakers about what you're drinking. ¹¹

But there's more than just sipping. You can catch free wine seminars on Riesling and Rosé or learn how to sear a steak in a cooking demo from a top local chef. ^{6, 14} For a shot of adrenaline, pay a little extra to ride in a pace car around the legendary track, it's a must-do. ¹⁰ There’s also a big marketplace with local artisans selling handmade jewelry, pottery, and art, plus a farmers market with fresh produce. ⁵

Picking Your Ticket

The festival has a few ticket options depending on your plan for the day.

• The Taster (General Admission): This is your standard ticket. It gets you a souvenir glass and all the wine, beer, and spirit samples you want. You also get access to all the music, seminars, and shopping. ¹⁴
• The Connoisseur (VIP): If you want the fancy treatment, look for VIP upgrades. These can include special dinners with wine pairings or access to exclusive tasting areas away from the crowds. ^{7, 12} It's for folks who want a more guided, less chaotic experience.
• The Guardian (Designated Driver): The hero of the group! This cheaper ticket gets you into the festival to enjoy the music, food, and shopping, just without the booze. ¹⁷ As a thank you, DDs get free soft drinks, juice, and water at special booths. ¹⁷

How It All Started

A Showcase for a Rising Region

The festival started in 1997, right when the Finger Lakes wine scene was taking off. ² After the region was officially recognized as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1982, and pioneers like Dr. Konstantin Frank proved you could grow top-notch European grapes there, things started getting serious. ²² The festival was created to be the single "largest showcase of wines produced in New York State," giving these wineries a huge stage to show off their stuff. ^{6, 11}

Getting Bigger and Better

As FLX wine got more famous, so did the festival. What started as a small gathering blew up into a massive event with around 40,000 people and over 90 wineries. ⁷ This growth happened right alongside the region's own boom, which is now home to over 100 wineries. ²² The festival even won "Best Wine Festival" from USA Today readers, a title they love to brag about. ⁶

The Big Rebrand

In early 2025, they announced the name change to "F.L.X. Summer Fest at The Glen". ³ The idea was to create a festival that celebrated the entire "culture of this unique New York region," not just wine. ² The event expanded to three days, a Friday kickoff party, the main festival Saturday, and a Sunday 5K run followed by breakfast, perfect for the thousands of people who camp out all weekend. ¹

The old "Wine Festival" name was just too small. Today, the Finger Lakes are famous for craft beer, cider, and amazing food, not to mention the stunning scenery. The new name reflects what the region, and the festival, have become. The festival isn't just a wine ad anymore, it's the whole region in one place.

What's on Offer

The Drinks

Wine is still the main event, with over 90 wineries participating. ⁶ You can try wines from the big, famous estates on Seneca and Cayuga Lakes, like Glenora, Wagner, and Hazlitt. ²⁴ You'll also find smaller, family-run wineries from places like the Keuka Lake Wine Trail, pouring everything from world-class Rieslings to elegant Cabernet Francs. ^{24, 27}

But now, you can also sample from local breweries, cideries, and distilleries. ⁵ This change is a key part of the "Summer Fest" idea, making sure there's something for every taste. ²⁴ So you can sip a local IPA, a crisp hard cider, or a small-batch bourbon right alongside the wine.

The Food

You won't go hungry. There are plenty of food trucks and gourmet stalls to choose from. ⁹ You can find pasta salads, specialty pizzas, farm-to-table burgers, wings, pretzels, and ice cream. ¹⁴ The festival focuses on quality regional food, not your average carnival fare. ³¹

You can also shop for local goodies to take home. Yancey's Fancy, a New York cheese maker and festival sponsor, is always there. ⁸ Other vendors sell local cheeses, charcuterie, baked goods, jams, and even bourbon-infused fudge. ⁷

The Shopping

Need a break from eating and drinking? Go shopping. There’s a huge artisan marketplace with over 100 vendors selling unique, handmade stuff. ¹⁷ You can find pottery, jewelry, paintings, scarves, and home decor. ⁵ It’s a great way to kill time between tastings and find a cool souvenir.

Pro Tips for Your Trip

Getting There (and Around)

The festival is at Watkins Glen International, which is awesome but a bit remote. ^{6, 14} The address is 2790 County Route 16, Watkins Glen, NY. Tents and vendors are set up in climate-controlled buildings, grassy park areas, and outdoor courtyards. ^{11, 34}

Here's the deal with transportation, Ubers and Lyfts are basically impossible to get from the track, especially at closing time. ¹³ Your best bets are local limo or bus companies, the hop-on, hop-off Lakeside Trolley, or an all-inclusive bus tour from a nearby city. ^{9, 25, 36} The festival also runs shuttles to local hotels, and there's plenty of free parking for designated drivers. ¹⁴

Where to Stay

Rule #1: Book your room or campsite WAY in advance. Seriously. Everything sells out months, sometimes a year, ahead of time. ²⁰

For the full experience, camp on-site at the racetrack. ¹ It's a huge party, and you don't have to worry about driving. Just know the amenities can be a bit rustic (no personal water hookups for many sites). ^{13, 34} If you need more comfort, the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel is a fancy option on Seneca Lake. ³⁹ Otherwise, there are plenty of other hotels, B&Bs, and campgrounds, like the popular spots in Watkins Glen State Park. ⁴¹

How to Survive the Day

To do the fest like a pro, follow a few simple rules. First, pace yourself. With over 600 wines, you can't try everything, so pick a few "wineries" an hour. ⁴⁴ And yes, it's okay to spit, that's what the pros do, and there are buckets at every booth. ⁴⁴

Drink water, lots of it, July can be hot and you'll be glad you did. ²⁰ Wear comfortable shoes, you’ll be walking a ton. ⁴⁵ Also, bring sunscreen, a hat, and maybe a jacket for the evening. ²⁰

Finally, use the free wine pick-up service. When you buy bottles, check them at the Welcome Tent. They'll hold them at the main gate for you to grab with your car when you leave. ⁹ Pro-tip: bring pre-printed address labels to stick on the claim checks to save time. ⁹

Make It a Real Vacation

The Festival as Your Home Base

Use the festival as a starting point for a bigger Finger Lakes trip. It’s the perfect anchor for a weekend getaway or a full week of exploring the region. ²⁵ Think of it as a "sampler platter" for the area's drinks scene. ⁴⁶ You can discover your new favorite winery or brewery, then plan a separate trip to visit them directly.

A Perfect Weekend Plan

It's easy to build a full trip around the festival weekend.

• Friday Morning (Pre-Festival): Before the party starts, hike the Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen State Park. It's a two-mile walk where you go along, under, and behind 19 different waterfalls. It’s pretty epic and a calm way to start the weekend. ²⁶
• Sunday Afternoon/Monday (Post-Festival): Drive 30 minutes south to the Corning Museum of Glass. It has the biggest glass collection in the world, spanning 3,500 years. You can watch live glassblowing shows and even make your own glass souvenir. ^{48, 50}

Your Post-Festival Wine Tour

Inspired to do some more tasting? Spend the next couple of days hitting the Seneca Lake Wine Trail.

• Day 1 (West Side): Start on the west side of Seneca Lake. Stop by Lakewood Vineyards for its friendly vibe and great wines. ⁵¹ Then hit J.R. Dill Winery (you might've seen their wine bar in town). ²⁶ Grab lunch at Fox Run Vineyards, they have a café with amazing views. ⁵²
• Day 2 (East Side): Explore the lake's east side. On your way, stop for a photo at Hector Falls, which flows right into the lake. ²⁶ Visit Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery, which also has a brewery, perfect for groups with different tastes. ²⁶ And if you love Riesling, you have to go to Boundary Breaks, a boutique winery that specializes in it. ²⁵

Good to Know (The FAQs)

Which Day Should I Go?

People often wonder what the difference is between the days. Saturday is the busiest, most crowded, and highest-energy day of the festival. If you want a more relaxed vibe with shorter lines and more time to talk to the winemakers, go on Sunday morning. ¹⁷ The Friday kickoff party is its own special event, usually with a theme. ¹⁷

What Does My Ticket Get Me?

It’s good to know what’s included versus what’s extra. Your ticket gets you a souvenir glass, all the free drink samples, and access to the music and educational seminars. You'll have to pay extra for any food, full bottles of wine to take home, and special activities like the pace car rides. ¹⁴

The Rules

There are a few key rules to remember. You can't bring in any outside food or drinks. ²⁰ Also, no pets are allowed, unless they are certified service animals. ²¹ You can, however, bring small foldable chairs and wagons to haul your stuff, which is a good idea. ²¹

Staying Safe

The festival is serious about safety. The Designated Driver program gives DDs a cheaper ticket and free non-alcoholic drinks as a thank-you. ¹⁷ The Schuyler County Sheriff's Department is also on-site, offering voluntary BAC tests and running a sobriety checkpoint at the exit to make sure everyone gets home safe. ¹⁷

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