Rustic charm awaits at Cedarwood Event Venue

Trumansburg will soon have a brand-new event venue where people can celebrate special occasions and make memories to last a lifetime.

Cedarwood Event Venue, which has taken over the space previously occupied by Brews and Brats at Autumn View, is set to open for private events in April.

Owner Sara Abernethy, an experienced event planner, is excited to host momentous celebrations in the cozy space. The new venue is a sister property to New Park Event Venue & Suites in Ithaca, also owned by Abernethy.

She had a feeling that the space on state Route 96 was special, picking up on its “good vibes” before finally closing on the property in January with plans to give it a new twist.

“It was always really encouraging to drive by and there were a ton of cars there, and it just looked like everyone was having a really good time,” Abernethy said. “It’s a great place to have an outdoor space. It’s also very visible.”

The venue has picnic tables, yard games, an indoor stage and two outdoor stages.

Cedarwood’s owner describes the interior as warm, cozy and rustic. “It matches the setting. It’s in a cornfield, so it needs to have a rustic appeal,” Abernethy said.

The romantic and charming space is ideal for weddings but is available for all kinds of occasions, including family reunions, birthday parties, anniversary parties, corporate events and retreats.

When it comes to wedding planning, many couples want to curate their special day, which Abernethy understands.

“They kind of want every piece to be very meaningful to them,” said Abernethy, adding that couples frequently want to hire their own florist and caterer. 

However, she pointed out that events such as the bridal shower, rehearsal dinner or post-wedding brunch are typically planned by those who are out of town.

With that in mind, Abernethy said she intends to make it easy for people to plan an event at Cedarwood.

“We’re going to have decor packages,” she explained. “We’re going to have a ‘Burlap and Lace’ package, a package that’s like a picnic and one that’s cowboy-themed.” 

Clients are welcome to bring the decor of their choosing, but Abernethy hopes to make it as simple and stress-free as possible for smaller events with a one-stop-shop approach.

“The idea is that for events on the smaller side, if [clients] want to just be able to roll into town and the food, alcohol and decor is taken care of – that’s what we’re trying to serve. Easy in and easy out,” she explained.

Cedarwood will feature different menus based on event size, and food will be sourced from several local caterers. Other events will be catered in-house, with wood-fired experiences and farm-to-table food cooked over an open flame. 

The new venue has many connections ready to serve delicious food to its guests. “We know a lot of local caterers because we work with them already at New Park Event Venue,” Abernethy said.

Regarding adult beverages, Cedarwood will have 12 beers on tap, and Abernethy said she has been in contact with local breweries. She also plans to have a hard seltzer on tap and serve cider and local wine. The venue is currently applying for a full liquor license.

A mobile bar catering concept is also in the works, where Cedarwood will provide bar catering for other venues without a bar, like New Park. 

“We can also do it for other venues, as well,” Abernethy said. Those who choose a backyard wedding, for example, will need a liquor license for someone to serve, which Cedarwood’s mobile bar can provide.

“It gives us a lot of options,” Abernethy said. “Even if they don’t choose us, they can still keep us in mind for the party they do end up planning.”

Tours of Cedarwood will start in mid-March, and the new venue is already taking bookings, with clients penciling in dates to ensure they have a spot.

The level of immediate interest in Cedarwood surprised Abernethy.

“I just put one post on Facebook, and we have dozens of inquiries. I thought it’d be a little harder to get some inquiries, but I think it shows that there’s a need in the market for these smaller, more casual events.” 

Cedarwood’s owner is aware that there is a desire for a restaurant at the location, and she hasn’t written off the idea. Instead, she is first focusing on developing the private event space at Cedarwood and will contemplate opening it to the public down the line.  

While the team at New Park will be able to work for the new facility, Abernethy said she plans to hire some part-time staff for Cedarwood, especially for bartending positions.

Cedarwood will have a table at the upcoming Sweet Bough Collective Wedding Showcase on Sunday, March 12, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The showcase will be held at New Park Event Venue & Suites at 1500 Taughannock Blvd. in Ithaca.

Visitors to the Cedarwood table can inquire about offerings, dates and pricing. While the new venue is all-inclusive, potential clients will learn about the food and beverage packages. 

The event is perfect for all couples, Abernethy said, but especially those who wish to get married at a venue later this year or next. 

Cedarwood is holding its first event April 15, acting as a venue for Kevin Black Presents, showcasing the Gabe Stillman Band. Tickets will be sold for food and drink and must be prepurchased. Interested guests can follow the Facebook pages for Cedarwood or Kevin Black Presents to purchase tickets when they are available. 

For more information on Cedarwood, please email CedarwoodNY@gmail.com.

Trumansburg Connection appears every Wednesday in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

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Comics Chaos! will be held on March 4, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 74 E. Main St.

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Volunteers collect data on chloride, bacteria, nutrient levels and more from streams that drain into Cayuga Lake.

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Please email info@communityscience.org for more information.