OSWEGO, NY – The Harborfest Children’s Committee is working hard to create a fun, healthy environment for children and families at the festival.
Consistent with this year’s theme, “Celebrate Oswego,” the Harborfest Children’s (Family) Park, sponsored by Novelis, features events by the many local businesses that support strong child development through entertainment and education.
Novelis Family Park is located in Franklin Square on the west side of Oswego and will run from July 26 through 28.
Children’s events at Breitbeck Park will begin on July 23.
Novelis Family Park is particularly excited to host events sponsored by the up-and-coming Children’s Museum of Oswego on the Friday and Sunday of the festival and the Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) that Saturday.
The park has a specific emphasis on science, technology, engineering, math, arts, music, and local farming and the events feature hands-on learning, impressive demonstrations, and a variety of interactive performances.
“We hope to create a really fun, active environment where children can get excited about learning and making healthy choices,” said the head of the Children’s Committee, Chena Tucker.
Healthy Choices are a big concern for Oswego County – the county ranked last in the state for healthy behaviors, which means that smoking, excessive drinking, obesity and lack of exercise are more prevalent in Oswego County than in any other in New York State.
“In the park, we hope to encourage kids to make healthier choices in regards to what they eat and how much physical activity they get. We want to improve the county’s health in the future,” said Elyse Cianfarano, an Oswego AmeriCorps member working to bring fitness- and nutrition-focused activities to the park.
Events
Events begin on July 23 with the Harborfest Children’s Gala from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Breitbeck Park.
This carnival-themed event features dancing, arts and crafts, gardening activities, a scavenger hunt, traditional carnival food and snacks, and workshops sponsored by SUNY Oswego’s Office of Business and Community Relations.
The $5 ticket includes the cost of all food and activities at the event and everyone must have a ticket to attend.
Tickets are available at the Harborfest Office at 41 Lake St., the Oswego YMCA on West First Street, Children’s Museum of Oswego events and at Mother Earth Baby located at 70 W. Bridge St.
The Children’s Gala will also host the first T-shirt workshop, with subsequent workshops held July 24 from 3 to 5 p.m. and July 25 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Breitbeck Park and at Novelis Family Park on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday and Sunday.
Make your T-shirt early in the week and wear them in the annual Children’s Parade.
This year’s Children’s Parade begins on July 26 at 1:30 p.m., a change from years past, in the Pavilion at Breitbeck Park immediately after Joe Trionfero’s Show of Love.
The parade will end in the Novelis Family Park, where participants will be greeted by a series of activities sponsored by Oswego Health.
Be sure to explore the park and enjoy the various attractions, like face painting, a magic show and horse rides!
Friday afternoon 56 area students will take the stage in the first performance of this year’s Children’s Musical, “Ellis Island… The American Dream,” by Cheryl Kemeny.
Repeat performances will occur on July 27 and 28 in the Children’s Tent.
Oswego’s Got Talent is a variety show for children ages 8 to 15 and will serve as the grand finale to the weekend on July 28 at 2:15 p.m. in the Children’s Tent.
Show off your ability to sing, play an instrument, dance, draw, write poetry, or perform spoken word in Harborfest’s first children’s talent show.
Applications are due July 12.
For more information and the link to the application visit the Children’s Events page on oswegoharborfest.com
For complete schedules and a list of events, visit the Children’s Events page on oswegoharborfest.com
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