Harborfest Has Big Plans For 30th Anniversary

OSWEGO – Happy anniversary, Harborfest!

Opening Thursday evening, Harborfest runs through Sunday throughout several parks in the Port City.

Atlas performs at 7 p.m. Thursday on the Main Stage. The Family Stone takes the stage at 9 p.m. In between will be the opening ceremony.

“This year, we’re celebrating our 30th birthday. We’re proud to say this year has been full of growth and our staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to plan what is sure to be one of our best festivals yet!” said Margaret Gnadt, PR/Media Marketing Coordinator.

“How many festivals have that longevity? Back, 30 years ago, having a festival was a novelty. Now, everybody and their brother has a festival,” said Peter Myles, the festival’s executive director.

They have a wide variety of entertainment and activities planned for the estimated 100,000 fest-goers.

Besides all music and foods, they have plenty of live animals – a tropical bird show, a dog show and marsupials.

For those wishing to experience a bird’s eye view of the fest, helicopter rides will be offered.

The festivities will include an exciting opportunity to take a helicopter ride above the hustle and bustle of Breitbeck Park. The service is being offered through Paratus Air.

Rides will be held every day that Breitbeck Park is open and are $20 a person.

“We have more than 50 different performers and attractions,” Myles said. “We’re busy. We’re hopping. We’ve gotten a bit smaller, but Harborfest is still a large community event.”

The fireworks are all set for Saturday night, he added.

Will there be a 30th anniversary special?

“They don’t tell me,” Myles said with a laugh. “It’s a big secret.”

Featured Main Stage performers include The Family Stone on Thursday, Night Ranger on Friday, Oswego’s own Frostbit Blue on Saturday and Rumors on Sunday.

“Family Stone, Night Ranger and more will rock out on all our stages. There will be food and shopping galore as well as new special attractions like the tropical bird show and helicopter rides,” Gnadt said. “And, of course the Grucci Family will be in charge of our special 30th anniversary fireworks on Saturday evening. It’s a can’t miss event for more than 100,000 people every year.”

Harborfest’s annual Children’s Parade starts at 10:30 a.m. Friday and heads to West Park to kick off events at the park.

The 30th annual Oswego Harborfest is proud to have Catskill Puppet Theater workshop and the T-shirt making workshops return this year.

The Catskill Puppet Theater, founded by artists John Potocnik and Carol Mandigo, has been entertaining young and old with their magical blend of puppetry and storytelling since 1979.

Its performance will be at the Novelis Family Park on July 28 at 2:30 p.m.

They will hold a special puppet building workshop in Breitbeck Park on July 27 from noon to 3 p.m.

The Harborfest Midway returns this year with the classic carnival favorite: the Ferris wheel.

The location of the show this year is West First Street, between West Schuyler and Lake streets. It’s within easy walking distance to several festival venues including Breitbeck Park.

Rides will be priced at 3, 4, 5 and 6 tickets per ride. Tickets will be available at an individual ticket price of $1 each.

There will be no advance sale of tickets or wristbands.

There will also be a one-price ride promotion Wednesday-Sunday, with the cost of the ride wristband being $20 per day on Thursday, Friday and Sunday and $25 on Saturday.

The Main Stage is in Breitbeck Park. East Park is home to the Jazz Stage. The Children’s Stage and activities can be found in West Park. There will be plenty to see and do along the east and west River Walks as well.

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