{"id":101567,"date":"2024-05-15T11:36:26","date_gmt":"2024-05-15T15:36:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/?p=101567"},"modified":"2024-05-17T09:24:14","modified_gmt":"2024-05-17T13:24:14","slug":"two-of-owegos-finest-named-strawberry-festival-parade-grand-marshal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/2024\/05\/15\/two-of-owegos-finest-named-strawberry-festival-parade-grand-marshal\/","title":{"rendered":"Two of Owego\u2019s finest named Strawberry Festival Parade Grand Marshal"},"content":{"rendered":"

By JoAnn R. Walter —<\/span><\/p>\n

Excitement is building for Owego\u2019s 42nd annual Owego Strawberry Festival, scheduled for June 14 and 15 in Owego, N.Y. Join the community for amazing activities, food, music, fireworks, and more, along with a spectacular parade like no other.  <\/span><\/p>\n

The fun kicks off on Thursday, June 13, with the Rock and Run 5K scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m. at Hickories Park.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Friday, June 14, features the Strawberry Festival Block Party in downtown Owego from 5 to 10 p.m., with a Fireworks Show at 9:30 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

On Saturday, June 15, Owego welcomes festival guests from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the main festival. Highlighted is a magnificent 90-minute festival parade starting at 9:30 a.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

A festival tradition, and that of honoring community members as a Grand Marshal to serve in the parade, two individuals have been named this year for that esteemed role. <\/span><\/p>\n

Jim Raftis, Sr. and Dick Franz, both beloved Flat Rats, will ride in style through the village streets as thousands of guests watch one of New York State\u2019s most iconic festival parades. Both Raftis and Franz have dedicated a lifetime of service to the community.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jim Raftis, Sr., the \u201cVoice of Owego,\u201d has held that title for decades, and where he was heard on the radio at practically all of the local youth sporting events.  Raftis is known, too, for his volunteer efforts at several veteran-related ceremonies and special events.    <\/span><\/p>\n

Raftis remarked, \u201cIt\u2019s wonderful and a great opportunity, I am honored,\u201d and added that he takes pride in a community that showcases its volunteers as Owego does.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Two<\/a>

From left, Jim Raftis, Sr. and Dick Franz, both long time volunteers in the Owego community, have been selected to serve together as this year\u2019s Parade Grand Marshal(s) for Owego\u2019s Strawberry Festival Parade, set for June 15 in downtown Owego and stepping off at 9:30 a.m. Provided photo.<\/p><\/div>\n

Franz shared, \u201cIt is nice, I\u2019m glad to be a Grand Marshal, and thanks to everyone for recognizing me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Franz has been instrumental in the Owego Fire Department, and particularly Croton Hose Co. No. 3, where he has held various roles over the last 75 years.<\/span><\/p>\n

Franz was also a key contributor in the early days of what are now known as Tioga County Rural Ministry, The Tioga County Boys & Girls Club, and other clubs such as the Owego Little League and football, among others.<\/span><\/p>\n

Patrick Gavin, of Owego\u2019s Hose Team, remarked, \u201cWhen people ask me why I am so passionate and community-minded about \u2018all things Owego\u2019, I tell them that I learned from Owego’s best (the Franz family, and Raftis),\u201d adding, \u201cDick and Jim have set the bar for lifetimes\u2019 of volunteerism and civic activity in Owego, and something I try to emulate often.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

John Loftus, who organizes multiple parades within Owego, shared, \u201cWhat I really appreciate about these two gentlemen is the work they do behind the scenes that only a few know. Both men have given so much to our community and have not asked for anything in return.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

For more information about the Owego Strawberry Festival, visit owego.org<\/a> and click on the strawberry.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can also find the 42nd Annual Strawberry Festival event page on Facebook<\/a>, and through the Historic Owego Marketplace<\/a> page.<\/span><\/p>\n

An expanded article about the parade grand marshals will be featured in the Owego Pennysaver\u2019s upcoming Strawberry Festival Guide, set to publish on June 9.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By JoAnn R. Walter — Excitement is building for Owego\u2019s 42nd annual Owego Strawberry Festival, scheduled for June 14 and 15 in Owego, N.Y. Join…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":101569,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-101567","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nTwo of Owego\u2019s finest named Strawberry Festival Parade Grand Marshal - Owego Pennysaver Press<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/2024\/05\/15\/two-of-owegos-finest-named-strawberry-festival-parade-grand-marshal\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Two of Owego\u2019s finest named Strawberry Festival Parade Grand Marshal - Owego Pennysaver Press\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"By JoAnn R. 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