Oneonta, Delhi, Margaretville and Schenevus have pulled out all the stops this year to offer free, family-friendly festivities in July for area residents and visitors.
Margaretsville starts its celebration Tuesday, June 30. Delhi hosts its Fair on the Square the entire month of July on five consecutive Friday evenings from 5 to 9 p.m. Oneonta concentrates its Fourth of July celebration on July 4 itself, with additional events this year for America 250. Schenevus has an annual Fireman’s Carnival July 16 through July 18.
Each town or village offers its own flavor of free, family activities and live music. Locals have the option to watch five firework shows on July 3, July 4 and July 17 in multiple locations.
Margaretville
The Margaretville Fire Department will host its annual carnival Tuesday, June 30 through Saturday, July 4. This celebration boasts two fireworks shows; one show is 9:15 p.m. Friday, July 3, another fireworks show honoring the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence at 9:15 p.m. Saturday, July 4.
Carnival rides, food, beer and live music are slated during the five-day period. There are plenty of family activities nearby Main Street to explore.
Oneonta
Twenty years ago, Ben Guenther, owner of Five Star Subaru, heard that the city of Oneonta was not planning to have a fireworks show for the Fourth of July. He stepped in and has been funding fireworks in Neahwa Park ever since.
“I am a proud American,” Guenther said. “We cannot have Fourth of July without fireworks … I want to keep the tradition going for kids and their families.”
Back in 2006, the fireworks show cost $5,000 to $6,000, Guenther said. As time went on, the price has increased. He now pays American Fireworks Company in Oxford $15,000 for a Fourth of July show.
“I tell them I want $7,500 for the show and $7,500 for an exciting, grand finale,” he said.
The Hometown Fourth of July is a free Oneonta event hosted by Hill City Celebrations, a 501©(3) non-profit organization run by a board of dedicated volunteers and funded through generous support of donors and community partners.
“The total cost of the Hometown Fourth of July varies each year. But it is generally between $30,000 and $35,000,” said Sean Lewis, chairperson and treasurer of Hill City Celebrations.
The long list of other donors and sponsors are listed on hometown4th.com. Dawn Amankwaa, Gabrielle Argo, Gail Glover, Michael Distin, Heather Ross, Karen Laing, Michael Chandler and Paul Konye, other members of the organization’s board plan the Fourth of July festivities.
On Saturday, July 4, a parade is scheduled to proceed down Main Street and into Neahwa Park. Lineup is at noon at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center on Market Street.
From 2 to 11 p.m., there will be live music, dance, kids’ activities and more than 20 food and craft vendors and nonprofit organizations inside Neahwa Park.
“Four to five bands will be performing this year. Some are old favorites and others are new performers to our venue,” Lewis said. “We are happy to welcome back Bobby Curious for acoustic, family-friendly tunes. Alex Torres and His Latin Orchestra will headline again this year before the spectacular fireworks show.”
The fireworks show is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. July 4. There is no rain date this year.
Delhi
The village of Delhi also hires American Fireworks Display, which will sends a crew of pyrotechnicians to the SUNY Delhi campus Friday, July 3. The show begins at dusk. If rained out, fireworks will be offered July 10.
For more than 50 years, Delhi has hosted its annual Fair on the Square every Friday in July. The town gathers at the Courthouse Square for live music and children’s activities from 5 to 9 p.m.
A large committee of volunteers organizes this Fair of the Square.
“It started 53 years ago to bring the community together after a flood,” said Jeremy Fitch, a Delhi village trustee.
“We pay American Fireworks $10,125 for a 15-20 minute fireworks show,” Fitch said. Delaware National Bank makes a $3,250 donation to the village to help pay for the fireworks. The village also donates $2,000 toward the cost, Fitch said.
The Delhi New York Rotary Club sets up all the children’s games each week, which are free to the public. The village bought its own bouncy house after renting one the past, Fitch said, to defer expenses. It is available each week.
The Greater Delhi Chamber of Commerce sets up a big race track where children can race RC cars. The village’s insurance company donates money to fund a climbing wall called Climb Time. Sidney Federal Credit Union and others help offset the costs of live music.
A list of three live, musical performances every night can be found on the Fair on the Square Facebook page. The Community Band plays every Friday evening along with two other bands. The American Legion sings the Star-Spangled Banner every week.
On the last Friday in July, the Masons sets up a soap box derby and trailer races, and O’Connor Hospital hosts a community event, Fitch said.
Schenevus
The Schenevus Fireman’s Carnival is an annual, family-oriented event that happens the third weekend in July. The event is hosted by the Schenevus-Maryland Fire District and was started 77 years ago in 1949.
This year’s carnival is scheduled for Thursday, July 16 through Saturday, July 18. As always, admission and parking are free. The event features amusement rides, a bounce house, games, live music, bingo and fireworks on Borst Fields in Schenevus.
The carnival is a fundraiser for the all-volunteer Fire Department led by Fire Chief Peter Camino. The fire departments owns all the rides including an antique merry-go-round built in 1904. The event generally raises about $20,000 per year according to one volunteer firefighter.
Each night, one of three live bands play 7-11 p.m. Off the Record plays July 16. Matthew Vroman Band plays July 17, followed by fireworks that shoot directly overhead of the crowd.
The Schenevus-Maryland Fire District hires Santore’s World Famous Fireworks every year to manage its fireworks. Santore’s is headquartered in Schaghticoke, located in Rensselaer County.
“We make the sky come to life and dance before your eyes,” Santore’s website said.
August Santore Jr. and his brother Christopher Santore are responsible for the planning, design, coordination and execution of the fireworks. According to the company website, the company has produced shows as large and prestigious as the Fourth of July in Washington, D.C., and the Super Bowl at Met Life Stadium.
Photos of fireworks appear on the Santore’s Facebook page where the company announced that it also offers pyrotechnician training annually. An ATF background check prior to handling any fireworks is required. Certification requires on the job training and a state written exam.
The carnival weekend culminates in the fire department’s grand parade at 6 p.m., drawing fire companies from across the county. Live music performed by Barnyard Saints is scheduled for 7-11 p.m. July 18.
Fire safety
Pyrotechnicians are highly trained professionals responsible for the safe storage, handling, transport and detonation of pyrotechnic devices, such as fireworks.
Prior to the fireworks display, the fireworks vendor must submit an application that is reviewed through the City Clerk’s Office and ultimately approved by the Fire Chief. The review process ensures that all required permits, safety measures, and operational plans are in place before authorization is granted.
“The city of Oneonta Fire Department’s involvement in the Fourth of July celebration is centered on ensuring the safety of the thousands of residents and visitors who gather at Neahwa Park to celebrate Independence Day,” said Fire Chief Brian Knapp.
“On the day of the event, the fire department and police department personnel work together to establish and enforce a designated exclusion zone around the launch site,” Knapp said. “This restricted area is cleared of all spectators and remains accessible only to authorized fireworks personnel.”
“The proud men and women of the Oneonta Fire Department and Oneonta Police Department are committed to protecting our community 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year,” Knpap said. “That commitment includes holidays like the Fourth of July, when many of us are serving our community instead of celebrating with our own families.”