For the fourth year in a row, the onset of spring in Ithaca has brought rain, a potential for snow and the beloved Daffodil Dash, a floral fundraiser organized by the Ithaca Garden Club.
The Garden Club has hosted several fundraisers to purchase flowers and trees to beautify the city. The Daffodil Dash specifically aims to raise money to support the planting of bright yellow daffodils throughout the Ithaca community.
The idea behind the event bloomed after the Garden Club attended a lecture from Prof. Bill Miller, plant science, on the benefits of daffodil planting.
Garden Club President Elaine Alexander explained that the club, founded in 1922, had primarily planted flowers around Ithaca and supported scholarships for women, but had decided to begin a novel project a few years ago. Miller’s floral lecture gave the club the inspiration they were looking for.
“At that time, we said we would like to have a project that benefits the community, beautifies the community, but not necessarily a scholarship program,” said Alexander. “[Miller] talked about the benefits of growing daffodils and the idea caught on.”
According to Alexander, with the idea in motion and Miller’s bulb planting machine, donated by the Royal Dutch Bulb Exporters’ Association, the Garden Club set out to plant daffodils around Ithaca. With hopes of getting financial support from the community at large, a fundraiser featuring a race through the daffodils was proposed by Melinda Oakes, then community engagement committee member.
The Dash now includes a 5K and a 1-mile race, both open to people of all ages. Winners are rewarded with daffodil leis.
With the help of the planting machine, the city of Ithaca and the contributions of volunteers from across the community, the bulbs are planted every October in various locations around the city. In the past, the flowers have bloomed in Cass Park, at Cayuga Medical Center, and countless other locations, where the bright blossoms bring joy to the community every spring.
“Daffodils are a symbol of hope,” Alexander said. “So we find it's perfect to come after a very dreary winter.”
Each year, the Daffodil Dash seeks to inspire positivity in the city of Ithaca, bringing together community members from race runners to volunteers. Ben Sandberg, Executive Director of The History Center in Tompkins County and spirited Dash participant, runs the race in costume each year. He says the combination of being around others and the flowers makes a positive impact on the community.
“At the core is the chance in spring with the first flowers that come out around here, gathering with other folks and getting to walk or run, or at least share in, depending on how you look at it, the end of winter or the beginning of spring,” said Sandberg.
Local middle schooler Dominik concurs. As a past winner of the race, he says that if he could describe the Dash in a single word, he would use “joyful”. He enjoys running the race with his friends, who he has invited to take part in the festivities.
“I liked it a lot, even though it was rainy, because I got to run it with my friend,” he said.
Participation in the Dash has been growing, said Alexander. The event is well received by the community, bringing in hundreds of enthusiastic racers each and every year.
This year’s Daffodil Dash takes place in Cass Park on Saturday, April 25. Registration closed early this year as all participant slots have been filled. The proceeds will fund the planting of daffodils in Stewart Park, where the vibrant flowers will usher in the next spring and the next Daffodil Dash.
