OSWEGO, NY – The Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce wants to reverse this year’s Independence Day Parade.
At Monday night’s meeting of the Physical Services Committee, the chamber requested a parade permit for the 2011 Independence Day Parade, closure of Bridge Street, waiving of the hawking and peddling ordinance and use of the city’s bandstand on July 3.
“The theme of the parade this year is ‘Back In Time.’ We are requesting to reverse the parade route. So we’d actually start at the high school, which I’ve already gotten permission for, and we would end at the fort,” said Beth Hilton, executive director of the chamber.
The bandstand would stay in the same place, she added.
“It will allow us an opportunity to spotlight the fort,” she explained. “The Friends of Fort Ontario are working on having a fund-raiser that day. There are some other activities for the fort that are in the works for after the parade.”
Lining up for the parade at the high school is safer because they would be off the street, Hilton said.
The chamber also requested use of East Park for the 18th annual Great Pumpkin Fest on Oct. 1 and 2.
The event would be conducted the same as in previous years, Hilton pointed out.
And, the chamber requested use of public space, the city’s bandstand and street closure for the Oswego Farmers’ Market to be held on Thursdays from May 26 through Oct. 13.
The 2011 edition of the market will be held from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. on West First Street between Bridge and Oneida streets.
The chamber also asked permission to use the Port City’s bandstand for the 2011 Fulton Jazz Fest on Aug. 12 and 13.
That prompted a caveat from Don Goodness, who heads up the Do Good Swingband as well as the City Band.
“What I’m concerned about is the longevity of the bandstand, how long we’re going to be able to use it we keep taking it to places like Fulton,” he said. “I am also a little concerned that this is setting a precedent, so other groups may also come and request to use it somewhere outside the city. I would just like you to really take that into consideration.”
There were major improvements made to the bandstand last year, Councilor Connie Cosemento pointed out.
“And, we’d like to keep it that way,” Goodness added.
“I know there was some discussion about that last year,” Hilton said. “But, because this is a chamber event and we are a combined chamber between the two cities, the council at the time felt comfortable with letting it go for that.”
Also, because of the travel, the chamber paid $500 instead of the normal rate, she added.
Jazz Fest is the only combined event between the two cities fostered by the chamber, Cosemento said.
It was very well received at the event last year, Hilton pointed out.
“It was great to see Oswego allowing us to use the stage for an event in Fulton. It was greatly appreciated. And, it certainly improved the quality of the event,” she said.
Ron Nelson, race director, and Shane Broadwell, assistant race director, requested use of several city properties for the Tri-Oswego 2011 Triathlon on June 25 and 26.
Broadwell said since turning 65, his father has done about five Triathlons and said, Oswego would be a great place to hold such an event.
That has evolved into Tri-Oswego, he noted.
The event would have a family fun day on Saturday with the competition on Sunday.
The transition area is in Wright’s Landing for the swimming, biking and running event.
“We’re really excited about this event,” Broadwell said. “Hopefully, it will continue as an annual event.”
More information can be found at www.tri-oswego.com
The committee sent all the requests to the full council for consideration on Feb. 14.
missing or outdated ad config
