Hundreds of local folks and visitors listened to the Community Concert Band, directed by Julie Solomon, performed “Stars & Stripes Forever” this evening in Cooperstown’s Lakefront Park, with Otsego Lake as a backdrop. Fireworks followed to rousing applause. With fireworks last evening in Oneonta, and parades there and in Springfield Center, this evening’s activities signalled the end of this year’s Fourth of July celebration. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Sabrina Beckerink and Mica Halleran, Oneonta, run past Abby Lederman, Oneonta, who douses them in blue powder during the Color Run, held this morning in Neahwa Park as part of the city’s annual Hometown 4th of July festivities. The fun continues with a parade at noon, followed by music, games and more in Neahwa park, an Outlaws baseball game and fireworks at dusk. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Jim Weeks and Noel Dries, pals going back to their Springfield school days, are marshals at today’s parade.
SPRINGFIELD CENTER – Crowds are headed to Springfield Center from the county and around the country this morning for the 103rd Springfield Fourth of July Parade, one of the oldest in the nation, which begins at 11 a.m.
But that’s not all the Independence Day activity.
The parade ends a bit after noon at the Springfield Community Center, where patriot exercises, a Cooperstown Community Band concert, Brooks BBQ and hot dogs and hamburgers are annual staples.
In the evening, attending turns to Glimmerglass State Park, where the Kenesaw Mountain Boys are performing a free concert at 7:30 p.m., followed by fireworks at dusk.
…And in Oneonta, July Fourth Fun
ONEONTA – The City of the Hills’ Fourth of July parade marches down Main Street at noon, ending up in Neahwa Park for the annual Hometown Fourth of July for an afternoon of food, music and games, culminating with fireworks at dusk.
Fourth of July fireworks lit up the sky over Cooperstown’s Lakefront Park a few minutes ago, signalling the end to the annual lakeside picnicking and Cooperstown Community Band concert. Fireworks are planned at dusk Monday night over Canadarago Lake and on Tuesday in Oneonta’s Neahwa Park – and, also Tuesday, over Glimmerglass State Park, the finale of the Town of Springfield’s daylong celebration that begins with the famous parade at 11 a.m. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Fireworks fans watch the grand finale from Cooperstown’s Lakefront Park a few minutes ago, signaling the arrival of the Fourth of July Weekend, but not the end of festivities. Sunday, a boat parade will pass Lakefront Park at 3 p.m. And at 11 a.m. Monday, the actual Fourth of July, the 102nd Springfield Parade, which draws attendees from all over the country, steps off. At noon Monday, an Independence Day Parade will process down Main Street, Oneonta, to Neahwa Park, where the Hometown Fourth of July celebration, including free music and a battle of the bands, will be topped at day’s end by a fireworks display over the City of the Hills. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Rotarian Chuck Newman mans the grill, and Diana Nicols (assisted by daughters Tess, left, and Tara) take orders for dogs and burgers at the club’s stand in Cooperstown’s Lakefront Park at this hour. Business will pick up after 5, as Fourth of July celebrants begin arriving in force, and after 7 in particular. Fireworks start at dusk, which today happens at 9:16 p.m. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Rain-delayed for 24 hours, Oneonta’s third annual Independence Day parade nonetheless lined Main Street with a cheering crowd at noon today. In top photo are Grand Marshals Tony and Marcella Drago; (Coach Drago celebrated his 93rd birthday on the Fourth.) At left, Pastor Ken Zulkosky, Main Street Baptist Church, escorts his granddaughter, Ariana Huynh, 7 months, to her first parade. Right center, The Hill City Rollers, Oneonta’s roller-derby team, was, as always, a hit. Lower right, Oneonta’s Ewing family, Isabel, 11, Jack 8, mom Sarah and dad Joe, prepared to be wowed. After the parade, the crowd recessed to Neahwa Park for an afternoon of activities. (Jim Kevlin/allotsego.com)
At 1 p.m. today on the steps of the Bump Tavern, Tom Heitz, the former Hall of Fame librarian, recited the Declaration of Independence in what’s become a local Fourth of July tradition. (Jim Kevlin/allotsego.com)
Oneonta’s fireworks are at dusk on the Fourth in Neahwa Park (the image is from Lettis Highway in 2014); Cooperstown’s are at dusk this evening; join the fun at Lakekfront Park.
From quiet concerts and picnics, to the blasts of fireworks and muskets, there’s something for everyone this Independence Day weekend in Otsego County, kicking off with fireworks over Otsego Lake at dusk on Friday, July 3. Watch them from Cooperstown’s Lakefront Park.
R U TUFF eNUFF: Celebrate YOUR independence by proving you are Tuff eNuff at Leaf’s annual 5K obstacle course. The race kicks off at 8:30 a.m. July 4 with four noncompetitive waves, a kids run and a competitive race.
SOUNDS OF 1776: At The Farmers’ Museum, experience the first Independence Day with a militia muster and a 1 p.m. July 4 reading of the Declaration of Independence. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 5775 Rte. 80, Cooperstown. Info, www.farmersmuseum.org.
OLDEST PARADE: The 101st Springfield Center parade kicks off 11 a.m. July 4 from Smith Rd. and Rte. 80. A celebration follows at the Community Center, concluding with a free concert featuring the Jeff Walton Band at 7:30 p.m. and fireworks at dusk, at Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 Cty. Rd. 31, Cooperstown. Info, (315) 858-0304.
HOMETOWN CELEBRATION: Oneonta’s “Hometown 4th” begins with a noon July 4 parade down Main Street to Neahwa Park. Free entertainment starts 1 p.m. in the park; Fireworks at 9:20 p.m. Neahwa Park, Oneonta. Details, lineup at www.hometown4th.com.
The celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Springfield Fourth of July Parade continued that evening with a Jeff Walton concert and fireworks at Glimmerglass State Park. “The turnout was incredible – the very large parking lots at the park were overflowed, and the entire park was full of people,” reports Andrea House, a member of the organizing committee who provided the photos accompanying this article. Fritz Henry also performed. “The fireworks were fantastic, judging by the cheers from the crowd, and a fitting end to the day’s success,” House continued. She said the Fourth of July committee may consider making the concert and fireworks an annual event.
COOPERSTOWN – The Otsego Lake Association will sponsor its first annual “We Love Our Lake” decorated, judged boat parade at 6 p.m. Friday, July 4, rain or shine.
Paticipating decorated boats will gather off-shore at Three Mile Point, three miles north of Cooperstown on West Lake Road, the start and finish of the parade route.
The SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station’s research vessel, Anondontoides,which will serve as a committee barge of judges and parade officials, will be moored off Three Mile Point.
Hundreds of local folks and visitors listened to the Community Concert Band, directed by Julie Solomon, performed “Stars & Stripes Forever” this evening in Cooperstown’s Lakefront Park, with Otsego Lake as a backdrop. Fireworks followed to rousing applause. With fireworks last evening in Oneonta, and parades there and in Springfield Center, this evening’s activities signalled the end of this year’s Fourth of July celebration. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
The celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Springfield Fourth of July Parade continued that evening with a Jeff Walton concert and fireworks at Glimmerglass State Park. “The turnout was incredible – the very large parking lots at the park were overflowed, and the entire park was full of people,” reports Andrea House, a member of the organizing committee who provided the photos accompanying this article. Fritz Henry also performed. “The fireworks were fantastic, judging by the cheers from the crowd, and a fitting end to the day’s success,” House continued. She said the Fourth of July committee may consider making the concert and fireworks an annual event.