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OSWEGO, NY - The 2008 edition of the Oswego High School Marching Buccaneers will take to the field for competition on Saturday night at Jordan Elbridge High School.

Oswego will debut its “Asian Dances” show as the 104-member band will kick off the new year.

The Marching Bucs have been practicing for nearly two months in anticipation of this year’s competitive season.

Band Director Stephen Defren said, “I am very pleased with the progress of the band this year. We lost 34 very talented senior last year, but our current members have really stepped up to the plate and I am very proud with their progress.”

Saturday’s show will kick off at 7 p.m. with East Ramapo who will be followed by Mohonasen, Horseheads, Jordan Elbridge and then the Marching Bucs will be led onto the field by drum major Emily Fiorini and assistant drum major Amber Scruton.

The following Saturday the Bucs will compete at Cicero-North Syracuse.

On Sept. 20, the Oswego High School Marching Bucs will host the 30th Pageant of Champions with the first band taking to the field at 6:30 p.m.

Looking ahead to the new season Defren noted, “We have seven New York State Field Band sanctioned shows every Saturday, concluding with the State Championships at the Carrier Dome on Sunday, Oct. 26. We will also be traveling to a Bands of America Regional Championship in Ypsilanti, Mich., Columbus Day Weekend.  At this event we will be competing will several of the top programs in the country, and have an excellent judging panel for receiving feedback.”

Continuing he noted, “The biggest event of the year is our 30th Pageant of Champions that will begin with a reception Sept. 19, at the Armory for all past and present band members, parents and friends. This will be a wonderful time to share memories and celebrate 30 years of Pride in Excellence. The main event of the weekend is the actual Pageant of Champions Saturday night.”

October will be extremely busy for the Bucs as the band will compete at Liverpool on Oct. 4 and the following weekend will travel to the Bands of America Regional in Michigan. October 18 Oswego will vie at the Central Square show. The season will conclude on Oct. 26 at the Carrier Dome as the Bucs will be one of nine bands competing in the National Division.

Defren said, “We expect each student will achieve the best performance they can.”

Oswego Harborfest has announced that the popular 50-50 Raffle to benefit Harborfest will return in 2009.

Farnham Family Services, an Oswego-based substance abuse treatment and prevention center, is now selling tickets for its 2009 Changing Lives Raffle.

As this column goes to press the 152nd Oswego County Fair should be in full swing at Sandy Creek. During the previous week the Heritage building was stocked full with many new and unique exhibits. We even brought down a piano for some live music!