The celebration season has begun! It is time for festivities, holy days, gatherings, traditions, family, parties, events and maybe a little football. With that, I wish a great big happy holidays to all who are reading this. I also hope for each of you a safe and joyful season. If you follow LEAF at all on Facebook (please do!), you will see that our theme for the month is, “Celebrate Safely!” We have been sharing tips and suggestions for making sure that everyone has a good time and gets home without incident.
Here are the highlights for hosting an event:
Let’s start with this: It is always okay to celebrate without alcohol! We are fully aware that our culture nearly demands that alcohol be present at any gathering. However, gatherings without alcohol tend to be less expensive (and who’s not trying to save a buck these days?) and less prone to a spirits-infused incident. It’s a win-win, so it is worth consideration.
Pals Emma Dawson, left, and Meadow Aramini are all ready to pedal their way along the parade route for the Town of Springfield’s festive Fourth of July Parade, held under postcard-perfect skies with hundreds lining the street to celebrate the day. This week’s edition of The Freeman’s Journal / Hometown Oneonta features plenty of pictures from Springfield and Oneonta parades and the Otsego Lake Association’s July 3 boat parade. On sale Wednesday afternoon!
SPRINGFIELD PARADE – 11 a.m. One of the oldest 4th of July parades in the country returns from a two-year hiatus. Parade will feature floats, marching bands, equestrian and much more to honor veterans groups, fire departments, and community organizations from all over the region. Will be followed by music, Brooks BBQ, historical displays, a quilt show, raffles, and much more at the Springfield Community Center and then a concert at 7:30 at Glimmerglass State Park, followed by fireworks. Parade will proceed down Rt 20 and Rt 80 to The Springfield Community Center, 129 Co. Hwy. 29A, Springfield Center. 315-858-0304 or visit www.facebook.com/SpringfieldParade/
HOMETOWN 4TH – 1 p.m. Kick off the 4th of July celebrations with a parade down Main Street Oneonta finishing at Neahwa Park where there will be live music, dance, kids activities, food, arts & crafts, and much more. Continues to 9:30 with Fireworks and then a fireworks afterparty featuring Cosmic Karma Fire Spinners and Hanzolo from 10 – 11 p.m. Neahwa Park, Oneonta. Visit www.hometown4th.com
CONCERT & FIREWORKS – 7:30 p.m. After parades and festivities head down to the beach for an Independence Day concert featuring the Council Rock Band. Followed by Fireworks at dusk. Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 Co. Rd., 31, Cooperstown. Visit www.facebook.com/SpringfieldParade
RETIREMENT RECEPTION – 6 – 8 p.m. Celebrate the 20 year tenure and recent retirement of the Greater Oneonta Historical Society’s Executive Director Bob Brzowski. Refreshments, cake will be served. A cash bar will be available. Covid safety protocols will be followed. Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta. 607-432-0960 or visit oneontahistory.org/event/bob-brzozowskis-retirement-reception/
KICK OFF – 7:30 p.m. Begin 4th of July celebrations with Hometown Heroes free concert. country artist Michael Christopher dedicated to our essential workers. Neahwa Park, Oneonta. Visit www.facebook.com/FNOneonta/
MLK CELEBRATION – 3 p.m. Celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with the Oneonta Chapter of the NAACP. Visit www.facebook.com/OneontaAreaNAACP/ for info.
PERFORMANCE – 9 – 10:30 p.m. ‘Step Afrika’ performs dance that uses the human body as an instrument as practiced by traditionally African American fraternities, sororities and incorporates song, story telling, audience participation. Admission, $3/person. Hunt Union Ballroom, SUNY Oneonta.
DOCUMENTARY – 7 – 9 p.m. Showing ‘King In The Wilderness’ depicting the final chapters of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as he deals with criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. Discussion to follow. Red Dragon Theater, SUNY Oneonta.
CELEBRATION – 2 – 4 p.m. Celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with NAACP featuring songs from the Civil Rights movement, speech from Gary Herzig, NY Attorney General Letitia James, the ‘I Have A Dream’ speech, more. First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St., Oneonta. Visit www.facebook.com/Oneonta-Area-NAACP-183152115619038/
FILM SOCIETY – 7 p.m. Cooperstown film society presents ‘Yesterday: What if no one remembered the Beatles but you?’ (2019) with long time rock tour manager John Draper welcoming all to the third season of Film Society. Cooperstown Village Library, 22 Main St., Cooperstown. Visit www.facebook.com/FilmSocCoop/
CELEBRATION – 5 p.m. Start a safe & sober New Years celebration with parade down Main St. followed by poetry readings, festival featuring live music, games, dancing, & special guest Anthony Eardley, Oneonta’s American Ninja Warrior. Then first ever talent show featuring $1000 prize at 7:30, then black-light after-party featuring entertainment by Cosmic Karma Fire Spinners. Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta. 607-431-2080 or visit www.facebook.com/FNOneonta/
FILM – 7 p.m. Showing ‘The Muslims Are Coming’ followed by optional discussion led by Prof. Brett Heindl. Waterfront Room, Hunt Union, SUNY Oneonta. 607-432-6988.
HOLIDAY PARADE – 3 p.m. Celebrate the holidays on Main St. Line up at 3, parade at 4. Main St., Oneonta. Visit www.foothillspac.org
TREE FESTIVAL – 3 – 7 p.m. View Christmas Trees beautifully decorated by area individuals, businesses. Production Center, Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta. 607-431-2080 or visit www.foothillspac.org
TREE LIGHTING – 5:30 – 8 p.m. Celebrate the lighting of the Christmas Tree in Muller Plaza, Oneonta.
ANGEL TREE PROGRAM – Give the Gift of Christmas this holiday season. Adopt a family in need. Visit www.allotsego.com/angel-tree-program/ to learn how.
CELEBRATION – 3 – 5 p.m. Join St. Mary’s Food Pantry to celebrate 40 years. Enjoy refreshments, tour the pantry. RSVP by 11/1. St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 39 Walnut St., Oneonta. 607-386-2623 or e-mail doeridge2016@gmail.com
CELEBRATION – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Celebrate 150th birthday of Cardiff Giant. Pay $0.50 to see the giant, enjoy a GIANT cake, hear the stories of the hoax, enjoy a performance of the show, party like its 1869. The Farmers’ Museum, Cooperstown. 607-547-1450 or visit www.farmersmuseum.org/stec_event/birthday/0
