FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS—5 to 10 p.m. Drive through beautifully decorated Neahwa Park, featuring more than 40 displays from local businesses, individuals and organizations celebrating the holidays. Open evenings 12/18 through 1/1. Neahwa Park, 1 Neahwa Place, Oneonta. (607) 376-7599 or visit https://www.destinationoneonta.com/calendar
BLOOD DRIVE—10 a.m.-3 p.m. Save up to 3 lives with the American Red Cross. Clark Sports Center, Cooperstown. Register at redcrossblood.org
BLOOD DRIVE—1-6:30 p.m. Save up to 3 lives with the American Red Cross. Quality Inn, 5206 State Highway 23, Oneonta. Register at redcrossblood.org
COMMUNITY HIKE—9:45 a.m. The community is invited for a group hike with the Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. Please bring appropriate clothing, gear, and enough water to stay hydrated, and be aware of your level of fitness. Contact hike leader for more information. This week’s hike will be at Neahwa Park, Bertus Lauren Drive, Oneonta, with hike leader Linda Pearce. (607) 432-8969 or visit susqadk.org
BLOOD DRIVE—1-6 p.m. Save up to 3 lives with the American Red Cross. Southside Community, 5006 State Highway 23, Oneonta. Register at redcrossblood.org
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS—5-10 p.m. Drive through beautifully decorated Neahwa Park, featuring more than 40 displays from local businesses, individuals and organizations celebrating the holidays. Open evenings 12/18 through 1/1. Neahwa Park, 1 Neahwa Place, Oneonta. (607) 376-7599 or visit destinationoneonta.com/calendar
CABARET—6:30-9 p.m. Enjoy an evening of fun, music, dancing and holiday cheer with the Stan Fox Trio. The FUNdraiser is to support the community activities held at Foothills. Party is in the Production Center of The Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, Oneonta. (607) 431-2080 or visit foothillspac.org
BE AN ANGEL – The community is invited to adopt a family and then find Christmas gifts for each of the children listed. Gifts are due unwrapped and without tags to either the office of The Freeman’s Journal at 21 Railroad Ave. in Cooperstown, or at the Salvation Army Church at 25 River St. in Oneonta. Visit allotsego.com/angel-tree-program/ for details
HOT COCOA RUN – 9:30 a.m. Get out and run a 5K or do a 1K Walk, Run, and Roll. 5K is through the city of Oneonta while the 1K is untimed and through Neahwa Park. All runners receive a Hot Chocolate at the end. Proceeds from the run benefit Arc Otsego’s Helping Hands Fund to assist individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Race entry, $25/person for the 5K. Start & Finish at the Pavilion, Neahwa Park, Oneonta. Visit facebook.com/arcotsego
VOTE – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Early voting is open for this years general election. Otsego County residents can vote on their schedule at either Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta or at Meadows Office Complex, 140 County Highway 33W, Cooperstown. Visit otsegocounty.com/departments/board_of_elections/index.php for more information.
Catskill Choral Society’s Grand and Glorious Fall Fair saw several thousand people come down to Oneonta’s Neahwa Park for a day of live music, splendid offerings from 72 vendors, a performance by the Oneonta Community Concert Band, and great fun. (Photo by John Willis)
The Grand and Glorious Garage Sale has been a favored Oneonta fixture for 44 years. Previously presented on Main Street, the fair draws several thousand people and serves as the Catskill Choral Society’s annual fundraiser.
This year, the Grand and Glorious Fall Fair moves to Oneonta’s shady Neahwa Park and will have hometown vendors, family-friendly entertainment including a performance by the Oneonta Community Concert Band, addition performers on the bandshell, games, food, great fun, local arts and crafts, the traditional garage sale plus much more.
The Grand and Glorious Fall Fair takes place Sunday, September 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on the first Sunday after Labor Day. All are welcome. Free and open to the public.
PERFORMANCE – 7 p.m. Enjoy performance by Uncleshake, an eclectic acoustic trio who play a style of music they like to call Vaudeville Grunge. Veteran’s Memorial Park, Main St., Stamford. Visit roxburyartsgroup.org
COMMUNITY PICNIC – Noon – 3 p.m. The NAACP presents picnic featuring free food, live music, more. Will include a chance to register to vote and information about how the NAACP has campaigned for civil rights and continues to work to protect those rights today. At the Large Pavilion, Neahwa Park, Oneonta. Visit oneontanaacp.com
CONCERT SERIES – 7 p.m. Bring the kids, a chair and some blankets for fun evening featuring a performance by The Driftwoods. By the bandstand, Neahwa Park, Oneonta. 607-432-0680 or visit www.facebook.com/oneontarec
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
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION – 1 – 6 p.m. Celebrate the emancipation of the last American slaves with a festival featuring a full day of Black culture, food, music, performances, and art. There will also be bounce house, face painting, gallery displays, and food from Oneonta’s local black businesses. There will also be organizations and services available to provide educational opportunities. It’s a fun day for the whole family to celebrate freedom. Field #5, Neahwa Park, (15 James Georgeson Ave.), Oneonta. 607-432-4500 or visit www.facebook.com/TheOtsegoCountyChamber/
The parade lines up at 9 am in front of Foothills at 24 Market Street in Oneonta and steps off at 10 am sharp. Police Chief Douglas Brenner (retired) will announce the parade from Muller Plaza on Main Street. Parade will process down Main Street and continue to Neahwa Park, where a commemorative ceremony will take place at 11 am. City Council member Len Carson will introduce the speakers in Neahwa Park and the Reverend Randy Palada will offer a benediction.
The American Legion has invited John and Joan Brooks to serve as Grand Marshals for the 2022 Memorial Day Parade in recognition of their service to this country and notably to this community.
“We are so incredibly honored to be chosen as Grand Marshals,” John Brooks said. “We were taken aback when David Hayes notified us! We love this community and love giving back.”
The committee welcomes additional parade entries; any community group, charitable organization or place of business is welcome to march. Please phone David Hayes at 607 353-9000 or simply be present at Foothills on Monday, May 30, at 9 in the morning.
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS – 5 – 10 p.m. Drive through a winter wonderland featuring light displays created by local businesses, individuals, and organizations. Admission is Free. Neahwa Park, Oneonta. Visit www.facebook.com/FNOneonta
COVID-19 TESTING – 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Get tested and protect your friends and relatives. Appointments appreciated. Walk-ins accepted. American Legion, 86 W. Main St., Milford. Visit https://appointments.bioreference.com/nystatecovidtesting to sign up.
