Two Grand Marshall’s to lead Strawberry Festival Parade

Excitement is escalating for Owego’s annual Strawberry Festival scheduled June 14 and 15. The festival, celebrating its 39th year, features a distinct theme, and also honors community members by selecting them as a Grand Marshall to serve in the parade.

“Strawberry Legends” is this year’s festival theme, which pays homage to the quintessential music and talented artists set to perform on both Friday and Saturday.  

Different this year, two co-Grand Marshall’s have been named, and who both have dedicated a legendary level of service to the community.

Louise Woodburn and Robert Clarke Bassett will serve as Grand Marshall’s for the annual 90-minute parade scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on June 15 in downtown Owego. Both were selected for the positive impact their efforts have made on the community.

Louise has volunteered thousands of hours in her lifetime, and today, at 91, continues to give back.

Woodburn, a native of Owego, also holds another legendary distinction. She said, “I was born here, and I’m a “Flat Rat.” Flat Rat is an affectionate nickname used by the Croton Hose Company and others who grew up in the adjacent neighborhoods.

Arts Council concertgoers may remember seeing Louise at past Wednesday evening events at Hickories Park, and where she contributed to the council by walking about greeting guests while selling 50/50 tickets.

In addition to the Tioga County Council on the Arts, Woodburn has volunteered for the local Republican Women’s Committee, the Owego V.F.W., and Meals on Wheels, just to name a few. In appreciation of her volunteerism, Woodburn has received several awards, such as the “President’s Call to Service Award” from the Tioga Opportunities Senior Center, and was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

Long-time residents of the area will remember Woodburn’s Grocery, once located at 127 Spencer Ave. in Owego, and now home to The Styling Corner.  Louise and her husband, Robert, who has since passed away, owned and operated the grocery for more than three decades until they closed the doors in 1986. Running seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., the neighborhood anchor, opened in 1935 by Louise’s in-laws, Louis and Emily, was once a gathering place for regulars, such as employees from Stackmore Furniture and Endicott-Johnson. 

Louise believes she has attended nearly all of the Strawberry Festivals since 1981. A family tradition, each year generations of Woodburn’s accompany Louise to the parade. Today, Louise has five children, 13 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, and pointed out that there are two more on the way. Louise lives just a few doors down from the parade route, so she has had an advantage in grabbing a good spot.  

This year, however, she’ll ride in style while waving to her family and friends along the parade route. When asked about her selection as a Co-Grand Marshall, Louise declared, “Oh, this will be fun!”

At her side will be Bassett, who she has worked with on various occasions. Bassett remarked about his selection as a Co-Grand Marshall, “Louise and I are pleased to team up this year,” adding, “It’s a position of honor, and we are eager and enthusiastic.”

Bassett, President of the Charles H. Bassett (CHB) Youth Foundation, is celebrating its own legendary occasion this year, and that being the organization’s 25th anniversary. CHB promotes positive youth development via volunteer grants and student scholarships, and also offers workshops along with history and heritage education activities. 

David Woodburn, and Louise’s son, serves on the Bassett Foundation Board, and commented, “I admire Bob,” and explained that Robert Bassett continues to do a notable job in carrying on the legacy of his father, Charles H. Bassett. An Owego native and 1932 OFA graduate, Charles H., and whose family members helped shape the community going back to the late 1800’s, believed that growing up in a small town had many advantages. 

Robert Bassett expanded that belief, and shared, “I feel one generation can shape and form the next.”

Today, one of the scholarships offered via the CHB Foundation is the “Robert and Louise Woodburn Scholarship,” which is awarded to a graduating senior who has exemplified selfless community service.

The Bassett and Woodburn families continue to help shape the next generations, and that is legendary.  

For more information on this year’s festival, visit www.owego.org, or follow the Historic Owego Marketplace on Facebook.