Fort Ontario Festival of the Arts is Looking for You

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Calling all Musicians, Artisans, Craftsmen, Softball players, and anyone wanting to show off their special talent. The First Annual Fort Ontario Festival of the Arts is looking for all of these and more.

The Festival is a free family friendly event, which will feature visual arts, poetry, theater, music and dance in three separate stage venues and also feature a bazaar of Fine Arts and Craft vendors plus a vintage softball game. The festival will be held on the grounds of Fort Ontario from noon till 7 p.m. on Saturday August 9 and from noon till 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 10. There will be a free concert on Saturday evening inside the old fort at 7 p.m. featuring the Whiskey River Band.

Professional musicians interested in performing on the main festival stage, on either Saturday August 9 or Sunday August 10, are asked to submit a demo CD or video of the group to Don Goodness at [email protected].

Artists and Crafters are invited to show their stuff by renting booths at $75 a piece for the two-day event. We are looking for original, handmade work and demonstrations are encouraged. Art vendor forms are available at the River’s end Bookstore, Ontario Winds, and DiscoverOswego.Com. Any Questions please contact The Art Association of Oswego at 343-5675 or email Michelle Southgate at msouthgate@twcny,rr,com.

A venue, especially designed for those between the ages of 13 and 25, will feature a “Battle of the Bands” and a concurrently running “Battle of the Acoustics” on Saturday August 9 from 12 p.m. till 7 p.m. Teens and young adults wanting to participate in these events are asked to submit a CD or video of the group or individual with an application. $100 First, $75 Second, and $50 Third prizes will be awarded for each ‘Battle’. A fee of $25 per band or $10 per individual performer for the acoustic event is required. For further information and application call 342-5265 or e-mail [email protected]

On Sunday the teen venue will feature the First Annual “Express Yourself” Variety Show. Young members of the general public are invited to show off their special talents, which could be anything from dance to music, vocal or instrumental, comedy to magic, or any special talent. $100 First, $75 Second, and $50 Third prizes will be awarded. The show is limited to those between the ages of 13 to 25 and requires an entry fee of $10 per participant with $25 being the top fee for groups of three or more. So come on down and “Express Yourself”.

Calling all Softball players, young or old interested in participating in a vintage, 16-inch ball, softball game. We’d like to have at least 4 teams participate! What a great way to learn how softball began! Please contact Kelly Mosher at 315-342-5265 for further information.

Dedicated to kids of all ages is the Children’s Tent. This stage will feature a Magician, Clowning and a clown Parade around Fort Ontario, Timberdoodle Story Tellers, The Balloon Lady, “Punch and Judy” Puppet Shows and Audience Participation Plays. Performances are scheduled throughout the festival. Arts in the Park will begin activities on Saturday morning at 10 a.m.There will be crafts to do each day such as making Puppets, Masks, Instruments, Funny Hats and lots more.

Any individuals or organizations wishing to sponsor any of these venues or events please contact the emails and or phone numbers mentioned above for each individual area.

The Fort Ontario Festival of the Arts is a part of the statewide ‘Canal Splash’ celebration, and is made possible in part by a Decentralization Grant secured through the Cultural Resources Council from the New York State Council on the Arts., and is hosted by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Fort Ontario State Historic Site, The Art association of Oswego, The Oswego Players, The American Federation of Musicians and The Oswego Children’s Theater.

So, come one, come all and participate. Be able to say you were there at the beginning.

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