By Marianne Christy
Visitors to the Old Forge area will have the opportunity to enjoy a number of indoor and outdoor events over Memorial Day weekend as Town of Webb Publicity Director Mike Farmer announces the inaugural, Red, White & Blue: Spring into Summer Celebration.
The four-day celebration on Friday through Monday, May 22 to 25 will feature the annual town-wide garage sale, an Art Walk, musical performances, a Zoo Mobile, a children’s fishing derby, in-store specials and sidewalk sales and more on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
A Family Fun Festival will take place at the GTH Recreation Center on North Street from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and a fireworks display is planned for the Old Forge lakefront on Sunday evening.
The weekend will wrap up on Monday with the traditional Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony honoring those who died in service of the United States.
Farmer said the idea to host a weekend filled with family-friendly events was suggested by local business owners Kelly Greene and Katie Wojdyla, and quickly thereafter a committee was formed that included business owner Chip Kiefer, Beth Tickner, CAA Event Coordinator Laurie Barkau-skas, and Linda Bamberger and Jim Connerty of VIEW.
According to Farmer, the CAA will cover the cost of the fireworks, the Town of Webb will sponsor a country band performance prior to the fireworks, VIEW and MAC’s Safe Ride are sponsoring a ventriloquist, and the Enchanted Forest Water Safari will sponsor a shuttle bus.
Farmer is hopeful that other area businesses will participate as well.
“We are requesting that local businesses offer discounts, deals or specials designed around the themes of Red, White and Blue and All American Family Fun, and perhaps host events or music of their own. Our vision is for this to be an annual town-wide celebration,” he said.
To offset the additional marketing and advertising costs of the event the committee is requesting a donation of $50, or more, from area businesses and participating non-profit organizations.
Supporting businesses will receive signage for the weekend, a shuttle bus stop if applicable, a yellow ribbon signifying remembrance for the fallen, and a location spot on the event map which will be handed out throughout the weekend.
The business will also be listed on the webpage www.MemorialDayOldForge.com, which will be activated soon.
A final schedule of events will be available in mid-May, so anyone interested in participating should contact Farmer or Laurie Barkauskas at the Town of Webb Information Center at (315) 369-6983 by Wednesday, May 6.
Checks can be made payable to CAA – Red, White and Blue and mailed to: CAA, P.O. Box 68, Old Forge, NY 13420.