News from the Noteworthy from the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce

Summer Brings Tourists, Baseball and Train

Memorial Day has ushered in summer in the Mohawk Valley, and it’s going to be a busy one. There are many opportunities, and a few challenges, that await the citizens of Otsego County over the next few months. Let’s take a look at what’s ahead.

June brings the return of baseball camp business to the region. Cooperstown Dreams Park and Cooperstown All Star Village will be in full swing, and thousands of visitors will be visible throughout the county. They will be eating in our restaurants, shopping in our stores, and walking on our streets the entire summer. To some, this represents an inconvenience. I could not disagree more.

The economic impact of these baseball facilities measures in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Tourism has replaced railroads, manufacturing and agriculture as our home’s single largest economic driver. When you see a baseball family on the streets of Oneonta, Morris or Cooperstown, thank them for their visit. Answer their questions, make recommendations, and make sure they know they are welcome here. And be sure to support your local team, the Oneonta Outlaws, whose schedule begins June 3 and runs until July 29. Hometown baseball is the best baseball!

This July, we are ramping up the local flavor. Oneonta is hosting its annual July 4th Parade, immediately followed by the Hometown Fourth Celebration in Neahwa Park. Families from all around the region come to experience live music, great food, dozens of local vendors, lots of activities for kids and the annual fireworks show presented by Five Star Subaru.

July also brings the National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Weekend to Cooperstown. This year’s inductees will be making history. In addition to former Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia and former Mets pitcher Billy Wagner, Dave Parker and Dick Allen will also enter the Hall. But for the first time in the history of the Hall of Fame, a Japanese-born player will be inducted. Ichiro Suzuki will be enshrined in Cooperstown’s hallowed halls, and this will bring thousands of Japanese fans to Otsego County. And not just this year, but for decades to come.

On August 23rd, the Oneonta Boys and Girls Club welcomes the band Train to the 6th Ward Booster Club Field along with Edwin McCain and Graham Barham. Tickets are available at www.oneontabgc.org. See you there!

Whether you choose any of these special events, kayaking the Susquehanna River, hiking Table Rock, or antiquing with friends, Otsego County has so much to offer this summer. It is why we choose to live here, so live it up!

Sean Lewis is the president and chief executive officer of the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce.