Jim Mead transported the Grand Marshal of the parade, Jeff Gural, owner of Tioga Downs, along with his wife, Paula, in his 1908 convertible Cadillac. Tioga Downs served as a major sponsor for this year’s event. (Photo by Wendy Post)
This year’s Strawberry Festival in Owego, held June 15-16, saw record attendance, as well as presenting the largest lineup of entertainment.
With jugglers, street performers, aerial artists, over 20 bands, and the biggest attraction of all – the life-like dinosaurs, all enjoyed the festival.
This year’s event was made possible through community support, volunteers, and businesses and individuals that served as sponsors.
Sponsors included Tioga Downs Casino and Resort, Kevin’s Royal Automotive, Lockheed Martin, Dinosaur Dental, Upstate Shredding, the Floyd Hooker Foundation, Bassett Foundation, Scott Smith and Son, Price Chopper, Sleep Number Bed, McAndrew Construction, Early
ackson Cavalier, busker from Rochester, performed at this year’s festival. (Photo by Wendy Post)
Owego Antique Center, Owego Kiwanis Club, Armstrong Music House, Scoville Meno Auto Plaza, Owego Elks Lodge, Nelson Development Group LLC, The Owego Pennysaver, WEBO Radio, Coughlin and Gerhart, W&W Landscaping, Brett Daniels Photography, Tops Friendly Market, Calvary’s Love Church and Tioga County Tourism.
This year’s festival brought in a new lineup of entertainment to include a street busker from Rochester, well-know musicians that paired up as an acoustic duo, a Beatles Band, visual acts like the aerial artist, and of course, the dinosaurs who danced, roamed the streets, and entertained children and adults alike. This year also featured national act Stone Senate from Nashville, Tennessee.
To view photos and a video recap of the event, visit www.owego.org, or visit Historic Owego Marketplace or The Owego Pennysaver on Facebook. You can also view a video, created by Rob Cullen, at https://www.facebook.com/rob.cullen.58/videos/10214447927746093/.
Nate the Great entertains on Friday. (Photo by Brett Daniels Photography)
Early numbers, according to Pat Hansen, who serves as chairman of the festival along with this writer, who served as co-chairman, exceeded 30,000 guests that attended. The weather, entertainment, and of course the strawberries, provided the perfect equation for a well attended event.
Special thanks to Boy Scout Troop 60 who provided assistance with set up, tear down, and clean up during and after event, as well as Mary Roper, who assisted with advertising.
Eamonn Hubert, who has autism, wowed the crowd on Friday evening with his band, Hot Dogs & Gin. (Photo by Brett Daniels Photography)
A special thanks to committee members Tim Sayers, who organized the parade; volunteer Paula Babey; Janelle Malia, who manned the wine tent; Bradley Crews, Historic Owego Marketplace President who attended the media interviews; Katie Chandler, who coordinated the vendors; Pheasant Hill Golf Club for the use of golf carts; the Fire Police for assisting with traffic; the Owego Police for assisting with traffic flow and crowd control; and to all of the volunteers that arrived to assist.
“Many hands made for a successful event,” said Donna Day, a volunteer that assisted with the event.
Kathy Hansen School of Dance came in first place for the parade. (Photo by Brett Daniels Photography)
As for the parade, winners included the Kathy Hansen School of Dance Float for first place; and The Owego Elks Lodge Float for second place.
For children’s organizations, the Girl Scouts of Tioga East took first place with their service unit float, and FEAST (Finding Education Alternatives in the Southern Tier) took second place.
Also a big shout out is extended to the bands and entertainers for participating in the festival, as well as the vendors that set up for the two-day event.
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