Music and Balloon Fest set to celebrate Independence Day
NORWICH – A day of music and family fun is set for Chenango County as the first annual 4th of July Music and Balloon Festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday at the Chenango County Fairgrounds.
With live musical performances throughout the day, along with different food and crafts vendors, contests, a cruise-in, helicopter rides, and of course, hot air balloon rides throughout the afternoon, this event promises something for everyone, say coordinators Rick Stark and Debbie Bowers.
Musical performances kick-off at 11:30 a.m., when the country rock group Honey Struck takes center stage, followed by the country music styles of Sundown, from 1-2:30 p.m. After that, it will be the sounds of old-time favorites played by the Round House Rockers from 2:30-4 p.m., and Frank Sinatra and friends impersonator Ron Leone performs from 5-6 p.m. It’s back to country music from 6-7:30 p.m. as the Jason Wicks Band performs; and the evening winds down with a performance form this year’s headliner, Ruby Shooz, rocking the golden oldies from 7:30-9 p.m.
Plenty of other activities will keep excitement going at the fairgrounds too, explained Stark. At 1 p.m., fleets of rubber ducks will make their way down the Chenango River, beginning at the Rexford Street bridge and ending at the East Main St. bridge, just outside the fairgrounds. The owner of the winning duck will receive a $500 gas card, but must be present to claim their prize.
At 4 p.m., frankfurter fanatics will vie for the title of Chenango’s hot dog eating champion during a traditional 4th of July hot dog eating contest. What’s more, people are invited to show off their two-wheeled or four-wheeled pride and joy during a cruise-in at the fairgrounds at 4 p.m. Finally, five hot air balloons will paint the sky in an array of color when they lift off at 6 p.m.
The day comes to an official end with a grand fireworks display that lights up the night sky. Parking for the event is free until 8:30 p.m.
While Stark and Bowers have built a full itinerary for the debut of the Independence Day Music and Balloon Festival, plans are only to grow larger in the coming years.
“We just wanted to make this a fun event for Chenango County,” said Stark. “In past (4th of July) events, there’s been nothing to do ... It’s just been fireworks.”
Thanks to donations from Sidney Federal Credit Union, admission is only $10 in advance and at the gate, with proceeds benefitting the Memorial Education Fund sponsored by local businesses. Children under the age of 12 gain free admittance. Advanced tickets are available at Christman Motors in Norwich; Mayhood’s Sporting Goods, Norwich; Service Pharmacy, Norwich; and Menard’s Garage in Oxford.
“We want to thank the organizations that have supported the event already and we hope more will step up in the next few days,” Bowers said.
Additional information about the event and helicopter and hot air balloon rides is available by contacting Stark at 226-4746.
With live musical performances throughout the day, along with different food and crafts vendors, contests, a cruise-in, helicopter rides, and of course, hot air balloon rides throughout the afternoon, this event promises something for everyone, say coordinators Rick Stark and Debbie Bowers.
Musical performances kick-off at 11:30 a.m., when the country rock group Honey Struck takes center stage, followed by the country music styles of Sundown, from 1-2:30 p.m. After that, it will be the sounds of old-time favorites played by the Round House Rockers from 2:30-4 p.m., and Frank Sinatra and friends impersonator Ron Leone performs from 5-6 p.m. It’s back to country music from 6-7:30 p.m. as the Jason Wicks Band performs; and the evening winds down with a performance form this year’s headliner, Ruby Shooz, rocking the golden oldies from 7:30-9 p.m.
Plenty of other activities will keep excitement going at the fairgrounds too, explained Stark. At 1 p.m., fleets of rubber ducks will make their way down the Chenango River, beginning at the Rexford Street bridge and ending at the East Main St. bridge, just outside the fairgrounds. The owner of the winning duck will receive a $500 gas card, but must be present to claim their prize.
At 4 p.m., frankfurter fanatics will vie for the title of Chenango’s hot dog eating champion during a traditional 4th of July hot dog eating contest. What’s more, people are invited to show off their two-wheeled or four-wheeled pride and joy during a cruise-in at the fairgrounds at 4 p.m. Finally, five hot air balloons will paint the sky in an array of color when they lift off at 6 p.m.
The day comes to an official end with a grand fireworks display that lights up the night sky. Parking for the event is free until 8:30 p.m.
While Stark and Bowers have built a full itinerary for the debut of the Independence Day Music and Balloon Festival, plans are only to grow larger in the coming years.
“We just wanted to make this a fun event for Chenango County,” said Stark. “In past (4th of July) events, there’s been nothing to do ... It’s just been fireworks.”
Thanks to donations from Sidney Federal Credit Union, admission is only $10 in advance and at the gate, with proceeds benefitting the Memorial Education Fund sponsored by local businesses. Children under the age of 12 gain free admittance. Advanced tickets are available at Christman Motors in Norwich; Mayhood’s Sporting Goods, Norwich; Service Pharmacy, Norwich; and Menard’s Garage in Oxford.
“We want to thank the organizations that have supported the event already and we hope more will step up in the next few days,” Bowers said.
Additional information about the event and helicopter and hot air balloon rides is available by contacting Stark at 226-4746.
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