Get ready for a ‘Strawberry Jamboree’

Get ready for a ‘Strawberry Jamboree’Pictured, is “Blue”, the Dilophosaurus. Despite the sharp teeth, Blue does great with kids. She's got a huge appetite so she may well reach 20 feet by adulthood. She currently measures in at 13 feet long and 8 feet tall. She has attended countless events throughout Utah and the U.S. as a dinosaur entertainer. Come and meet Blue and her friend at this year’s Strawberry Festival. (Photo courtesy of Dinosaur Events)

Get ready for a ‘Strawberry Jamboree’The 38th Annual Strawberry Festival kicks off tonight, and will be throwing it down this year with a “Strawberry Jamboree,” planned for Friday and Saturday in downtown Owego, N.Y.

The “Strawberry Jamboree” combines all the elements of music, entertainment, art and food, and is presenting, for the first time ever, a prehistoric feature that will offer guests a step back in time. The county’s largest festival is welcoming two life-like dinosaurs and their handler to this year’s festival. Learn more about these special guests at www.dinosaurevents.com.

With over 20 bands on four different stages, a parade on Saturday, roaming dinosaurs, jugglers, magicians, musicians, and a fireworks display on Friday evening, sponsored by Kevin’s Royal Automotive, the festival will combine all things that are fun and package them into a celebration, a “Strawberry Jamboree.”

This year the festival is also offering an aerial view of the arts as Robin Lynch, aerial artist, entertains from high above on both Friday and Saturday. To learn more, visit http://robinlynchaerialist.webs.com

The annual parade will take place on Saturday, June 16, welcoming floats, artists, and even the dinosaurs on a float created by Jeffrey Rieg from the upcoming Reiger Regatta, an event taking place on July 28 on the Susquehanna River.

Get ready for a ‘Strawberry Jamboree’

Pictured, is “Blue”, the Dilophosaurus. Despite the sharp teeth, Blue does great with kids. She’s got a huge appetite so she may well reach 20 feet by adulthood. She currently measures in at 13 feet long and 8 feet tall. She has attended countless events throughout Utah and the U.S. as a dinosaur entertainer. Come and meet Blue and her friend at this year’s Strawberry Festival. (Photo courtesy of Dinosaur Events)

The Strawberry Festival is also welcoming Jeff Gural, owner of Tioga Downs Casino and Resort, as the Grand Marshal for the annual parade, scheduled to step off in downtown Owego at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Gural was selected not only for his generosity, but also for the impact his efforts have had on the community with the build and then the expansion of Tioga Downs Casino and Resort in Nichols, N.Y. Because of these efforts, hundreds of jobs were created, and donations and tax revenue have poured back into the community.

Tioga Downs is also serving as a major sponsor for this year’s annual event. You can find them set up at the Courthouse Square.

Also at the Courthouse Square, the dinosaurs will return to their den where they will rest in-between roaming the streets and greeting guests. Look for the dinosaur flag! 

Dinosaur Dental will also be on hand to participate in the dinosaur event. The dental office in Endicott is serving as one of the sponsors for this special feature along with Adam Weitsman and Upstate Shredding. 

New this year, the Strawberry Festival is also welcoming a National act hailing from Tennessee. Stone Senate will perform at the Courthouse stage on June 15, from 8:30 to 10 p.m.

Currently on their “Run for the Sun” summer tour, Stone Senate touched down in Owego during last year’s fest weekend where they played at Bill’s Restaurant.  

This year, Stone Senate’s pre-fireworks show is set to explode with their self-described southern rock sound, and while compared to the likes of the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd, features their own energetic vibe.

You can learn more about Stone Senate by visiting www.stonesenate.com

Also at the festival you will find hundreds of strawberries. You can purchase them by the container, or find them in the Strawberry delicacies offered, such as strawberry shortcake, strawberry daiquiris, and much more. 

Saturday will also welcome another musician that has performed nationally with Foghat, The Outlaws and Savoy Brown. Jeff Howell will perform with his newly formed band, Tears, on the Courthouse Stage at 3 p.m. Howell has been on the music scene for over 35 years, and Tears will pay tribute to all three national acts – Foghat, The Outlaws and Savoy Brown.

Other bands include Hi-Way Fruit Market, The Keith Nichols Band, The Beatles Band, several jam bands near the wine tent, an acoustic performance by Sonny Weeks of Wreckless Marci and Rob Stachyra of Woodshed Prophets, OCD, Watts on Tap, Rochester’s Best Busker, performances by Making The Band and The Possibilities, Hot Dogs and Gin, and many others.

And don’t forget the 100s of vendors selling their wares in a festive style alongside the food vendors ready to feed the masses. And most importantly, the strawberries! 

With this year’s diverse blend of activities and music, to include country, rock, jazz, a bit of blues, a taste of Nashville, and several “Dead” inspired bands, it’s the perfect equation for a “Strawberry Jamboree.”

To view the full schedule of events online, visit www.owego.org. You can also “Follow” the Historic Owego Marketplace on Facebook for updates before and during the festival.

Be sure to check out the festival guide inserted in this week’s Pennysaver, where all of the events and activities can be found, as well as a list of the sponsors who are supporting the two-day event. You will also find details regarding parking, and a map of the festival grounds.

Be sure to visit The Historic Owego Marketplace on Facebook during the two-day event as Brett Daniels Photography will be posting photos and videos during the festival.

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