Festival Celebrates Book Character ‘Madeline’ and her Connection to Oswego

OSWEGO – “Madeline” fans can celebrate Oswego’s connection with the children’s book character created by author Ludwig Bemelmans June 1, at Fort Ontario State Historic Site and the nearby Oswego Civic Arts Center.

The Madeline Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Fort Ontario grounds at the foot of East Fourth Street and the nearby Oswego Civic Arts Center.

Admission is free.

Ludwig Bemelmans, who wrote the beloved children’s books about a brave little girl named Madeline, served as a private in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Ontario in 1917.

 “We have several fun activities planned to celebrate the Madeline books at Fort Ontario and the Oswego Civic Arts Center,” said Mary Kay Stone, festival organizing committee chair. “We’ll have crafts, children’s games, puppet activities, book readings, a parade, ice cream social and performances of ‘Madeline and the Gypsies’ an original skit based on the Madeline books.”

– 9:40 a.m. Marionette Magic Theatre featuring Thingumajig puppets at the gypsy wagon

– 10 a.m. “Madeline and the Gypsies” play at the gypsy wagon

– 11 a.m. Hot dog stand opens

– 11:40 a.m.  Marionette Magic Theatre featuring Thingumajig puppets at the gypsy wagon

– 12 noon: “Madeline and the Gypsies” at the gypsy wagon

– 1 p.m. Parade, starts in front of the Arts Center, East Fourth Street

– 1:30 p.m. or end of parade: Ice cream social inside Fort Ontario

– 1:40 p.m. Marionette Magic Theatre featuring Thingumajig puppets at the gypsy wagon

– 2 p.m. “Madeline and the Gypsies” play at the gypsy wagon

– Kite flying! Professional kiters available for advice. Bring your own or buy one from a vendor. Kite kits available for $7 at the Art Association.

– Bookmobile will distribute free books from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

– Arts and crafts at the Art Association. Madeline costume hats available for $3; Pepito hats are $5.

– “Madeline in Oswego” art exhibit on top floor of Art Center gallery. Small pieces of art will be available for $10.

– Old-fashioned children’s games with Miss Clavel

– Madeline book readings in a tent by the fort entrance; except during plays, parade and ice cream social.

– Free admission to the stone fort.

– Bookmobile will distribute free books from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

– Photos with cutouts of Madeline characters and author Ludwig Bemelmans.

– Scavenger hunt starting at the Art Association.

– Hot dog booth operated by Friends of Fort Ontario 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The Madeline Festival is sponsored by Friends of Fort Ontario, Oswego Art Association, Children’s Museum of Oswego, Fort Ontario State Historic Site, the Oswego Players, and Marionette Magic Theatre with promotional support by the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning.

For information about the Madeline Festival, call Fort Ontario State Historic Site at 315-343-4711 or visit http://historicfortontario.com.

For Oswego County visitor information, call 1-800-248-4386 (1-800-248-4FUN) or go to www.visitoswegocounty.com.