Gary Herzig, left, and Greg Mattice award Lou Lansing the ‘Employee of the Quarter’ award for her work on parks in Oneonta. (Kevin Limiti/Allotsego.com).
ONEONTA — The Common Council met in person Tuesday, July 6, with an atmosphere of visible joviality and relief after spending a year meeting via Zoom.
“This is something we haven’t done in a long time,” Mayor Gary Herzig said, which elicited some appreciative chuckles.
Some of the agenda items passed included motions authorizing the acceptance of a state grant for the development of Hartwick College’s Grain Innovation Center, which would be located at the future Lofts on Dietz Street, as well as motions that appointed candidates to the recently formed Public Arts Commission and the Housing Commission.
ONEONTA — Independence Day on Sunday, July 4, drew thousands to the parade and Neahwa Park for fireworks and festivities with the day being dedicated to the essential workers during the COVID crisis.
Mayor Gary Herzig repeatedly said throughout the day that without the essential workers, this day would not have been possible.
“They were here for us all year,” Herzig said prior to the fireworks as he thanked healthcare workers, retail workers, bus drivers and all essential workers.
Herzig, along with mayoral candidate Len Carson and others, also participated in a dunk tank with proceeds going to charity.
During the parade, Oneonta resident and Ninja Warrior contestant Anthony Eardley showed off his skills during the parade by doing stunts on a obstacle structure on top a car.
At Neahwa Park, people lined up to get fried dough, funnel cakes, food from Brooks BBQ, blooming onions and other festive foods.
Herzig reiterated during the parade how important essential workers were to things opening up in Oneonta and the country.
“We were only able to do this because everyone sacrificed and everyone did the right thing,” Herzig said.
Mayor Gary Herzig gets dunked for charity in Neahwa Park. (Kevin Limiti/Allotsego)Len Carson gets dunked for charity in Neahwa Park. (Kevin Limiti/Allotsego)Mike the juggler makes a catch on Main Street during parade. (Kevin Limiti/Allotsego)Ninja warrior Anthony Eardley does a stunt on Main Street during parade. (Kevin Limiti/Allotsego)Fire truck goes down Main Street during Independence Day parade. (Kevin Limiti/Allotsego)People watch the fireworks at Neahwa Park in Oneonta. (Kevin Limiti/Allotsego)
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/
Start your Independence Day celebrations with the Hometown Heroes kick-off concert dedicated to the essential workers who have given so much during the pandemic. The concert will feature the Michael Christopher country band performing their greatest hits. Free admission. Presented by Hometown 4th at 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 2, at Neahwa Park in Oneonta. Visit facebook.com/FNOneonta/ for information.
ONEONTA — The Hometown 4th Festival will return to Oneonta’s Neahwa Park to celebrate the July Fourth holiday next weekend, with a theme of honoring essential workers.
The goal is to honor the workers, including grocery store staff, teachers, police officers, firefighters and healthcare workers, who took risks for the community good during the coronavirus pandemic, according to festival officials.
“We wanted to do everything we could to let them know that the First Night Board and the whole community appreciates them,” First Night Board Chair Carol Mandigo said.
The celebration will kick off at 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 2, in Neahwa Park, with a free concert by country artist Michael Christopher.
At noon, Sunday, July 4, the parade will line up at Foothills Performing Arts Center on Market Street.
Cooperstown’s Friends of the Village Library will hold its annual book sale at 22 Main St. in Cooperstown, beginning Saturday, June 26.
The sale will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily, through Sunday, July 4. Saturday, June 3, and Sunday, July 4, all books are $5 per bag for people who bring their own bags.
OLA to hold annual holiday boat parade
The annual holiday boat parade, sponsored by the Otsego Lake Association, will take place at 3 p.m., Saturday, June 3.
This year’s theme is “Here Comes the Sun,” based on a song by The Beatles.
As with the 2020 parade, because of the coronavirus pandemic, there will be no judging or awards.
Contact Wayne Bunn at bunnwayne@gmail.com or 518-542-6630 for more information.
MUSEUMS OPEN – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Farmers’ Museum & Fenimore Art Museum plan opening for holiday weekend featuring safety precautions, limited admission. Farmers’ Museum, Fenimore Art Museum, St. Rt. 80, Cooperstown. 607-547-1450 or visit www.farmersmuseum.org/reopen2020/
OLDEST PARADE – 11 a.m. The second oldest parade in the country kicks off again, with a full day of festivities to follow, including a concert and fireworks at dusk. Springfield Center Community Center, 129 Co Rd 29A, Springfield Center.
CONCERT – 7 p.m. Small Town Big Band features 14 piece band performing music from the ‘30s to present in the style of the Big Band Era. Lakefront Park, Cooperstown. Call 607-547-5256 or visit richcooperstown.org/lakefront-concert-series/
INDEPENDENCE DAY PARTY – 3:30 p.m. Bring the kids to learn about the 4th of July, hear stories, make independence day crafts. Arkell Museum, 2 Eries Blvd., Canajoharie. Call 518-673-2314 or visit www.arkellmuseum.org/events-calendar
BOOK FAIR – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Find rare, interesting books and ephemera the Cooperstown Antiquarian Book Fair. Clark Sports Center, Cooperstown. Call 607-547-2800 or visit www.cooperstownantiquarianbookfair.com/
PARADE – 11 a.m. Celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence at the 103rd Springfield 4th of July parade. Followed by a party with live music, Brooks chicken bbq, 4th of July Quilt Show, a Revolutionary War display by the Fort Plain Museum, the Utica Zoomobile, a bounce house, games, raffles, and more. Free parking. Springfield Community Center, 137 Co. Rt. 29A, Springfield Center. wskg.org/event/springfield-4th-of-july-parade-and-celebration-2/
FREEDOM – Noon. Listen to Frederick Douglas’ famous “History is a Weapon” speech about what freedom means to a slave as performed by one of the Templeton Players. Followed by a reading of the Declaration of Independence on the Tavern Green at 1 p.m. The Farmers Museum, Cooperstown. www.farmersmuseum.org/Independence-Day-July-4th-Celebration
CONCERT – 5 p.m. Come enjoy food and refreshments by the Cooperstown Rotary club. The concert by the Cooperstown Community Band starts at 8 p.m. and is followed by the Independence Day fireworks at Dusk. Lakefront Park, Cooperstown.
FIREWORKS – 6 p.m. View the Fourth of July Fireworks, enjoy free ice cream donated by Stewarts, live music, and lawn games for the kids. Feel free to bring a picnic dinner to enjoy in the garden. Suggested donation $5 per person/$20 per family. Children 14 and under, free. Brookwood Point, 6000 St. Hwy. 80, Cooperstown. otsegolandtrust.org or call (607)547-2236
