OSWEGO, NY – Bishop’s Commons hosted its third annual back to school fashion show Saturday.
Dozens of parents joined the many residents to view the youngsters in the outfits ranging from the newest back to school attire to pajamas.
“Why are we doing it? Simply because it’s a wonderful experience when young children and our residents are together making connections,” explained Julie Chetney, senior living coordinator at Bishop’s Commons.
When they first started the show, they had about six or seven kids “and they had to bring three or four outfits,” she noted. “It was a lot of changes, it was a big production.”
This year, they had two dozen models, ranging in age from 3 to 10.
“Moms and dads were very thankful that they just had to dress them up and bring them home in the same outfit,” Chetney said.
Clothing has changed quite a bit, she told the parents in the audience.
The children modeled their outfits and then served refreshments.
“I have done hockey. I have done auto racing, football, lacrosse – I’ve never done a fashion show” Bill Foley, the MC, explained.
When he was 7 years old, he was in a fashion show for Boy’s Town in Oswego.
“It was at the Oswego Theatre, back when it was one theatre,” he recalled. “I remember coming out in August wearing a snowsuit.”
As the youngsters paraded one by one around the room and then on stage, Foley told a little bit about who they were and what they enjoyed as well as what they were wearing.
At one point, he had to describe the pink Twinkle Toes footwear one young lady modeled.
“I don’t believe I’m saying this stuff,” Foley laughed. “This is uncharted territory for me.”
Every once in a while there was a slight change from the prepared script Foley was given to work with. A youngster who was supposed to be wearing a hat, wasn’t and Bermuda shorts became balloon slacks.
There were also a couple of tongue twisters in the script – such as “when she comes home from school, she slips off her soccer shoes.”
Several of the youngsters said they enjoyed reading and music and sports in school. They told about their teachers and favorite activities in and out of school.
“It was a fun day,” the MC said. “I’m Bill Foley and I am wearing a pair of carpenter jeans that are green in color and an Oswego Buccaneer long sleeved shirt and gray hair.”
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