C’s Beverage Center returns in 2013 to again sponsor the C’s Beverage Center “Veteran’s Stage” at River Walk West. Plenty of additions are being brought to River Walk West in 2013, which has been a staple venue at Harborfest for over two decades. C’s Beverage Center and Farm Market, located in Oswego, has been a longtime supporter of the festival and will welcome some of the best local and regional acts to the “Veterans Stage” again in 2013.

Things get under way on Friday morning with the return of the “Battle of the Bands” beginning at 11:00 AM and concluding at 2:30 PM. There will be categories for groups and single artists and all contestants must have been under 21 years of age as of December 31, 2012. In addition to posted cash prizes, the winning group will perform a forty five minute set on the C’s Beverage Center “Veteran’s Stage” on Saturday at 11:45 AM and the winning solo act will perform a thirty minute set on the Labatt Blue Light Jazz & Blues Stage on Saturday at 12:00 PM. Guidelines and entry forms for the “Battle of the Bands” are located in the applications tab on the Harborfest website. 

After the “Battle of the Bands” competition ends, things get underway on Friday afternoon at the C’s Beverage Center “Veteran’s Stage” with the local group, the Brian Wheat Band. This Indie Folk Rock group has been influenced by distinctive writings of such groups as Credence Clearwater Revival and Neil Young. Next up on the stage will be Amanda Lee peers & The Driftwood Sailors. This group plays with a rock ‘n roll swagger and a raw edge honkey tonk groove. They have been compared to the Black Crowes and have opened for Bruce Hormsby in 2012. The final act of the day will be Pete Witham & The Cozmic Zombies, with their Rockabilly/Psychobilly blazing original root music. Pete’s songs combine witty lyrics, theatrical delivery and a heavy dose of chicken plucking stomp.

The line-up of acts on Saturday on the C’s Beverage Center “Veteran’s Stage” is also made possible by the sponsorship of Community Bank, which opened a new branch in Oswego in July of 2012 and quickly became an Historic Trolley Sponsor at last year’s festival. The first act to take to the stage on Saturday will be Colleen Kattau & Some Guys. Kattau is a bi-lingual singer-songwriter with Latin American roots along with rock and folk. Along with sax and bass accompaniment, Kattau and Some Guys deliver the goods in concert. Next up is Williams Road, a group composed of members with different musical backgrounds, from the classically trained to the self-taught. Together they produce a solid and distinctive blend of folk, roots, indie and Americana music. The next group to take the stage is Dapp, who is the singer, songwriter, bassist and front man for his four piece “frunk” band. In a relatively short time, he has built a reputation for the spontaneous and improvisational style of his funk/rock and jam-pop songs and performances. Their free style jam sessions, brought together by tight arrangements, have made Dapp a crowd favorite wherever they perform. The fourth and final group courtesy of Community bank on the C’s Beverage Center “Veteran’s Stage” on Saturday will be Von Shakes. They are a Dublin Indie Rock & Roll band with a bit of punk edge and a lot of furious guitar and hard pelting drums in their sound. With their gloriously impassioned sound, great vocals and catchy lyrics, they have been busy touring the northeastern United States since spring of 2012 when they came to New York City from Dublin after a history of playing the best venues in their native land.

Harborfest winds down on Sunday but there are still two great acts on the C’s Beverage Center “Veteran’s Stage”. First up is Bread & Circuses. This Indie American rock band formed by singer/songwriter John Axtell, has a rotating cast of musicians both live and in the studio. The group with roots in the southwest has expanded their appearances to include west coast and east coast destinations. The band plays a unique hybrid of musical styles, with songs that run the gamut from up-tempo stomps and gritty rockers, to down-tempo desert blues jams. The busy weekend on the stage concludes with regional rock band powerhouse Stone Soul Foundation. With dynamic and powerful lyrics, guitar riffs and heart pounding drums, the group creates original blues injected with heavy rock and metal. Their sound is familiar to Black Sabbath with elements of funk. Their sound is a relatable on many levels with a style reminiscent of the great 70’s classic rock and metal, yet maintaining a fresh and relevant sound for today’s music enthusiasts.

Any updates in acts or show times will be posted when they are finalized.

Harborfest brings back the traditional cash 50/50 raffle in 2013 after a one year absence, but with a new twist. In 2013 there will be three winners of three separate drawings. During the 2012 festival, a brand new car was awarded to the raffle winner as a change to the cash winning format that had been introduced nearly a decade ago.

During the 2012 car raffle, people had to spend $5 for a chance to win one grand prize. For 2013, people will spend just $3 but get three tickets with chances to win in each of three different drawings.

Custom-printed, color-coded tickets for each day will go on sale at various events this spring and summer. Participants will be able to buy “three tickets for $3 with three chances to win”. People will also be able to get one free ticket by electing to purchase six tickets for $5 any time they purchase tickets.

Harborfest has obtained permits to conduct three distinct cash raffles during the 2013 festival and there will be three winners of cash prizes as a result of the new format. The first winner, drawn Saturday morning, will be awarded a portion of pre-festival, Thursday and Friday ticket sales. The second award, drawn Sunday morning, will be from ticket sales through Saturday and the final winning ticket, drawn Monday morning, will be from ticket sales through Sunday.

The sponsor of this new “Triple Play” cash raffle is Furdi’s Manufactured & Modular Home Builders & Sellers in Oswego and Fulton. The winning numbers for all three of the raffles will be exclusively listed on Furdi’s website at www.furdi.com on Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings shortly after they are drawn at the Harborfest Office on Lake Street in Oswego. A link to Furdi’s website will be placed on the homepage of the Harborfest website at www.oswegoharborfest.com.

No matter when raffle tickets are purchased up to the end of the day on Friday, the holder will be getting chances to win the Friday, Saturday and Sunday pots. Tickets purchased on Saturday will enter the buyer in drawings for both the Saturday and Sunday pots. Sunday purchasers will be getting chances to win the Sunday winning pot which will be the largest winner’s share because it will include a portion of the proceeds of every ticket sold through the end of the raffle on Sunday.

When tickets are purchased before the festival and through the end of the day on Friday, each buyer will get three different custom-printed tickets for a total of $3, one for each of the Friday, Saturday and Sunday winning pots. People can get a free ticket by paying $5 and getting six tickets, two for each of the Friday, Saturday and Sunday winning pots.

Saturday ticket buyers will get three custom-printed tickets for a total of $3, two for the Saturday winning pot and one for the Sunday winning pot. Buyers can get a free ticket by paying $5 and getting six tickets, three each for the Saturday and Sunday drawings.

Purchasers on Sunday will get three custom-printed tickets for a total of $3, with all three tickets entered into the Sunday drawing. People can elect to get a free ticket by paying $5 for six tickets, all good for the Sunday winning pot.

All of the money collected in ticket sales through the end of the day on Friday will be split into thirds to provide for the three winning pots. Half of the first pot will be awarded to the winning ticket drawn on Saturday morning at 9:00. All of the money collected in ticket sales on Saturday will be split in half and added to the two remaining winning pots. Half of the second pot will be awarded to the winning ticket drawn on Sunday morning at 9:00. All of the money collected in ticket sales on Sunday will be added to the final pot that has been building since the start of ticket sales. Half of this final pot will be awarded to the winning ticket drawn on Monday morning at 9:00. The largest winning pot will be the final pot since it will include a portion of the proceeds of every ticket sale.

The first winning ticket number will be posted on Furdi’s website on Saturday morning, the second on Sunday morning, and the third on Monday morning. Winners will have forty eight hours to claim their cash prizes by contacting the Oswego Harborfest Offices at 315-343-FREE. Winners must present their portion of the custom-printed, color-coded Furdi’s 50/50 raffle ticket to claim their prize. New tickets will be drawn for any winning pot not claimed within forty eight hours.

The Furdi’s website will be the exclusive location that the three winning numbers will be posted and a link to the Furdi’s website will be on the Harborfest website. Harborfest will be responsible ONLY for the accuracy of the number(s) posted on the Furdi’s website.

Each winner will have 48 hours to claim the daily prize. Each winner must produce the physical ticket at 41 Lake Street, Harborfest Offices, in order to receive the prize. In the event that the winner is NOT a local resident, they must contact the Harborfest Offices at (315) 343-FREE and arrange to send a photo of the winning ticket within the 48 hour time period. If a prize is not claimed within the 48 hour time frame, Harborfest will draw another ticket. This process will cycle until the three prizes are claimed. Winners will need identification and will be required to fill out paperwork to receive a 1099 Federal Tax Form in 2014.

No member of the Harborfest Board of Directors, staff or their immediate families shall be eligible to win the raffle drawings or to receive the prizes.

The 26th edition of Oswego’s Harborfest, New York State’s Premier Admission-Free Festival, gets underway on Thursday night July 25, 2013. The traditional opening ceremonies will again take place on the NRG Oswego Harbor Power “Lakeview Stage” in Breitbeck Park. The entertainment for that night will include a classic rock tribute band and a returning Harborfest favorite with roots in classic rock with the entire night being sponsored by the C&S Companies.

Van Halen Nation, a Van Halen tribute band will take to the Lakeview Stage with their authentic Van Halen experience. This band began performing in the mid 90’s in the Philadelphia and South Jersey club circuit and continues their status as one of best live bands in that area.

Van Halen Nation strives to provide the best and most authentic Van Halen experience. The band takes great pains to be as detail oriented as possible, both visually and musically to provide the audience with the closest thing…next to the real Van Halen band itself.

The returning Harborfest favorites are the Devonshires, from England, who have been entertaining audiences across the United States for three decades. The Devonshires have performed with numerous rock legends such as Joe Cocker, Jefferson Starship, The Doobie Brothers, Eddie Money, REO Speedwagon, Foreigner and Cheap Trick.

The Devonshires tour stops include two distinct shows, with one featuring 70’s classic rock and the other showcasing America’s favorite music from the 60’s. Each show is performed with exceptional musical precision, fully costumed with props and skits and suitable fun for all ages.

The finishing touches are being put on opening night ceremonies for the NRG Lakeview Stage but the performances from Van Halen Nation and the Devonshires, presented by the C&S Companies, are sure to be great entertainment for all in attendance. The complete entertainment line-up and show times will be posted as they are finalized at www.oswegoharborfest.com.

Bucking the tradition of one Friday night headliner on the NRG Oswego Harbor Power “Lakeview Stage” in Breitbeck Park, there will be two nationally known groups rocking crowd on the first full day of the 26th Harborfest on Friday July 26, 2013. Oswego’s Harborfest, New York State’s Premier Admission-Free Festival, will be proud to welcome Foghat and Blue Oyster Cult to the NRG Lakeview Stage courtesy of Budweiser and Constellation Energy Nuclear Group.

Foghat is a British rock band that began performing in 1971. Their second self-titled album, Foghat, went gold before 1974. A 1975 album, Fool for the City, spawned the hit single “Slow Ride” which rose to #20 on the US charts. Their 1977 album, Foghat Live, sold over 2,000,000 copies.

Follow-up hits in Foghat’s career included, “Drivin’ Wheel”, “Stone Blue” and “Third Time Lucky (The First Time I Was a Fool)”. After band members went in various directions, in 1993, at the urging of producer Rick Rubin, the original line-up reunited. The group released a studio album entitled Return of the Boogie Men in 1994 and a live album entitled Road Cases in 1998. The final album of the decade, King Biscuit Flower Hour, was from the syndicated radio show of the same name. Original founding members Dave Peverett and Rod Price passed away in the early 2000’s but Foghat continues to tour and be a popular live band belting out the classic hits that made them a staple of the rock and roll community over three decades ago.

Blue Oyster Cult is an American rock band from Long Island, New York, best known for such hard rock songs as “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper”, “Burnin’ for You”, and “Godzilla”. Since the release of their self-titled debut album in 1972, the band has sold over 24 million albums worldwide, including 7 million in the United States alone. The band’s music videos, especially “Burnin’ for You”, received heavy rotation on MTV when the music television network premiered in 1981, cementing the band’s contribution to the development and success of the music video in modern pop culture.

Today, Blue Oyster Cult’s music continues to be played on radio stations as well as in movies, television shows, and commercials, and even during sporting events. Blue Oyster Cult’s current lineup includes long-time members Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser (lead guitar, vocals) and Eric Bloom (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboard), as well as Jules Radino (drums, percussion), Richie Castellano (keyboard, guitar, vocals), and Kasim Sulton (bass guitar).

The finishing touches are being put on Friday night for the NRG Lakeview Stage but the performances from Foghat and Blue Oyster Cult are sure to rival any headliner concerts in the history of Harborfest. The complete entertainment line-up and show times for the Budweiser and Constellation Energy Nuclear Group sponsored evening will be posted as they are finalized at www.oswegoharborfest.com.

The largest line-up annually at Harborfest on the NRG Oswego Harbor Power “Lakeview Stage” in Breitbeck Park, is reserved for Saturday afternoon and evening. That will again be the case on Saturday July 27, 2013 as Oswego’s Harborfest, New York State’s Premier Admission-Free Festival, will be proud to welcome great regional bands to the NRG Lakeview Stage before and after the world class Grucci fireworks display presented by Entergy.

The afternoon starts off with powerful Oswego and Syracuse, New York, based rock band F5. They are a crowd pleasing group playing a wide variety of music from Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne and Led Zeppelin to Breaking Benjamin, Nickleback and Shinedown. They also cover some in-between music favorites like Michael Jackson and more. F5 is sure to produce one of the best shows you will see in the Central New York area.

Next up will be The Fabulous Ripcords, who can be heard most weekends in CNY rippin’ through Roots, Rock-a-Billy, Country, Blues, Swing, and music influenced by both New Orleans, Bakersfield and more. The Fabulous Ripcords have performed all across the northeast in addition to their home in Central New York. Over the years, the band and its members have opened for and played on bills with such noted musicians as Santana, Steve Miller, Phish, John Lee Hooker, Edgar Winter and others. The Fabulous Ripcords began as a project put together by Rex Lyons to explore some of his favorite music using some of his collaborators in The Roustabouts, another renowned roots band in CNY fronted by Dugan Henhawk. Rex’s cousin, Irv Lyons Jr. was brought in to play guitar and sing and Phil Regan came aboard on the drums. Jay Gould, on bass and Scott Ebner on keyboards round out the lineup.

The next act to take to the NRG Lakeview Stage will be Pete Witham & The Cozmic Zombies. Direct to the point, Witham and the Zombies are a Rockabilly/Psychobilly act that plays blazing original roots music. Pete’s songs combine witty lyrics, theatrical delivery and a heavy dose of chicken plucking stomp.

The evening rounds out with the fireworks “wrap” concert from AC/DC tribute band LIVE WIRE who will perform before and after the world class Grucci fireworks display presented by Entergy. LIVE WIRE emulates the pure essence, power, and electricity of what an AC/DC show is all about and has proven that to audiences time and time again. LIVE WIRE performs the best of AC/DC from the early roots of the bands Australian club circuit days, to the superstar worldwide status of their present hits.

LIVE WIRE, from the New York metro area is comprised of five veteran professional musicians which are some of the very finest AC/DC member clones/impersonators to form the most accurate AC/DC live show you will ever see, next to the real thing.

LIVE WIRE can give you the biggest hits: “You Shook Me All Night Long”, “Highway To Hell”, “Back In Black”, “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap”, “T.N.T.”, “Whole Lotta Rosie”, “Thunderstruck”, “Hells Bells” and more, to the other big fan favorites such as “Shoot To Thrill”, “Have A Drink On Me”, “Sin City”, “Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be”, “Jailbreak”, “Shot Down In Flames” and many, many more. Their repertoire is continually growing, now over 80 songs strong, and they continue to add new songs to set lists as often as they can.

The finishing touches are being put on the Saturday acts for the NRG Lakeview Stage but these great performances, capped off by LIVE WIRE, are sure to make for a great afternoon and evening for all that attend. The complete entertainment line-up and show times will be posted as they are finalized at www.oswegoharborfest.com.

A great afternoon is lined up for the NRG Oswego Harbor Power “Lakeview Stage” in Breitbeck Park on Sunday July 28, 2013 as the 26th version of the festival comes to a close. Oswego’s Harborfest, New York State’s Premier Admission-Free Festival, will be hosting a touring Americana group along with a tribute performance to one of the most recognizable artists of all time on the NRG Lakeview Stage.

The Andrew and Noah Band start the day off with their refreshing and original approach to Americana music. They are a unique group consisting of mandolin, fiddle, banjo, accordion, sax, electric guitar, bass and drums. The band’s mixology isn’t as direct as other acts in the Americana genre. Brothers Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand write the core of the material and apply a myriad of interesting influences from Cajun to Celtic to Jazz and Swing. Such eclectic efforts by the Andrew and Noah Band often result in a seamless blend for their desired results.

Closing out the day on the NRG Lakeview Stage will be “Real Diamond”, which is a professional band, dedicated to the faithful re-creation of the live Neil Diamond experience. They are obsessively passionate about providing the audience the finest Neil Diamond show short of having the man there himself. Curt Di Domizio fronts the band with a chillingly realistic Neil Diamond interpretation. The audience will be amazed and dazzled as they dance and sing along to four decades of incredible, unforgettable songs.

The set list includes note-for-note renditions of all Neil Diamond’s greatest hits including: Cherry Cherry, Holly Holy, Kentucky Woman, Cracklin Rosie, Sweet Caroline, America, Love on the Rocks, September Morn, Solitary Man, I’m a Believer, Song Sung Blue, Heartlight, You Don’t Bring me Flowers, If You Know What I Mean, Thank the Lord for the Nighttime, I am..I Said, Hello Again, Brother Loves Traveling Salvation Show, Play Me, Desiree, Shilo, He Ain’t Heavy, Red Red Wine, Forever in Blue Jeans, Beautiful Noise and many more.

The finishing touches are being put on the details for Sunday on the NRG Lakeview Stage but the afternoon performances, ending with Real Diamond, are sure to make for a great ending to Harborfest 2013. The complete entertainment line-up and show times will be posted as they are finalized at www.oswegoharborfest.com.

The Oswego County Federal Credit Union Jazz & Blues Park will be the site of nearly a dozen bands for Harborfest in 2013. The popular eastside venue, located in Washington Square, traditionally is the setting for some of the best regional and national jazz and blues artists each year. Oswego’s Harborfest, New York State’s Premier Admission-Free Festival, will be proud to welcome three days full of great music to the Labatt Blue Light Jazz & Blues Stage from Friday through Sunday July 26-28, 2013.

Getting things started off on Friday July 26th in the Oswego County Federal Credit Union Jazz & Blues Park will be “Our Friends Band”, based in Oswego, New York. They will bring their blend of funky blues to the Labatt Blue Light Jazz & Blues Stage at 1:30. Next up will be “Funky Blu Roots”, from Pompano Beach, Florida. They will entertain the crowd with their blues rock show at 3:30. The third slot on Friday belongs to the “Billy Hector Band” from New Jersey. This group, taking the stage at 5:30, boasts Asbury Park Awards for Best Guitarist, Best Blues Band and Living Legend. Next up on the schedule will be the “Jimmy Wolf Band” from the Mohawk Valley region of New York State. Their blues, rock and R&B show will hit the stage at 7:30. Rounding out the night on the Labatt Blue Light Jazz & Blues Stage will be “Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’ Blues” with roots dating back to Chicago in 1964 working with Muddy Waters. This final performance on the first full day of Harborfest in the Oswego County Federal Credit Union Jazz & Blues Park will be at 9:30

Saturday July 27th will find five more time slots filled up in the Oswego County Federal Credit Union Jazz & Blues Park at the popular Washington Square venue. The first group of the day is “Paradigm Shift” based in Rochester, New York. Their soul jazz music will take to the stage at 1:15 in the afternoon. Next up will be “E.S.P.” based in Syracuse, New York. Their Latin jazz sounds will be on stage at 3:30. The next combination is sure to be a favorite of the day as Harborfest is always proud to be able to involve musicians connected to the SUNY system whenever possible. This year SUNY Fredonia and SUNY Oswego will be represented in the time slot that begins at 5:45 on the Labatt Blue Light Jazz & Blues Stage. The final act of the night will “wrap” around the Grucci fireworks display presented by Entergy. It will be a repeat performance from Friday night as “Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’ Blues” will take the stage at 8:00 and then again at 10:00 upon the completion of the fireworks display.

Two great acts in the Oswego County Federal Credit Union Jazz & Blues Park will round out Harborfest on Sunday July 28, 2013. First up will be “Brownskin Band” based in Syracuse, New York. Their R&B style of music will take to the stage at 1:00. Finally, one of the most powerful horn bands to ever hit the jazz and blues scene will round out the festival as “Prime Time Funk” takes to the Labatt Blue Light Jazz & Blues Stage at 3:00. This ten piece horn band with roots in Rochester, New York, boasts some of the best jazz and blues musicians anyplace.

2013 should be nothing short of spectacular in the Oswego County Federal Credit Union Jazz & Blues Park. Along with three days full of great local, regional and national artists, visitors will be able to enjoy the Jazz & Blues Café and many food vendors including the “Price Chopper House of BBQ”. Any updates in acts or show times posted as they occur at www.oswegoharborfest.com.

Many things go on in planning Harborfest that occur either outside of the “Thursday to Sunday” window or completely behind the scenes altogether. One of those main things is made possible by title sponsorship from PathFinder Bank.

PathFinder Bank provides what may be one of the most needed sponsorships year in and year out at Harborfest. The annual summertime event plays host to hundreds of volunteers and PathFinder Bank supports this program as its title sponsor. You see all of those Volunteer T-Shirts almost everywhere you look during the four days of the festival and it is with the help of PathFinder Bank for this program to be as well rounded as it is. From Volunteer Coordinator Julie Restuccio to the hundreds of long time and brand new volunteers each year, The Volunteer Program would not be what it is without the support of PathFinder Bank.

Oswego Harbor Festivals, a federally registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, could not put on Harborfest each summer without the support of the sponsors that make it possible. The 26th annual Harborfest in 2013 runs from Thursday July 25th to Sunday July 28th.

Every year since 1974, the nation has recognized volunteers for all that they do to help promote things in their communities. For 2013, April 21st through the 27th has been designated as National Volunteer Week. As Harborfest prepares for its 26th event this July, it is important to recognize those volunteers that are necessary to make each festival a success. A pre-Harborfest recognition night, sponsored by Canale’s Restaurant, has been set aside for Monday April 22nd.

Each year, Harborfest requires the assistance of over 400 volunteers to make the festival happen. Every show, band, children’s activity and trolley ride is present because of sponsorship and generous people that donate their time to promote the festival and the city.

PathFinder Bank is the annual sponsor of the volunteer program and without them the program would not be what it has grown to become. You will see hundreds of PathFinder Bank t-shirts on the volunteers, park managers, stage managers, stage crew and logistics staff throughout the festival. All volunteers will receive gift bags provided by the Nelson Law Firm, which are filled with various items donated by Harborfest sponsors and business members, and they also get to enjoy a picnic in Breitbeck Park courtesy of Garafolo’s.

In 2013, for the first time ever, the volunteers will be recognized in a pre-festival event as Canale’s Restaurant will be sponsoring the Harborfest “PathFinder Bank Volunteer Appreciation Night” on Monday April 22nd, at 6:30 in the McCrobie Building ballroom. This gathering will follow the monthly Board of Directors meeting for Harborfest. Board members will get to mingle and thank the volunteers for their past support of the festival and for their upcoming work for the 2013 event which is slated to run from July 25th through the 28th.

Harborfest would like to thank Canale’s Restaurant for sponsoring this event and looks forward to seeing many old and new faces on that night.

Area students ages 8 through 16 will have the opportunity to audition for a part in a very special youth musical to be presented during Harborfest 2013. The production this year is “Ellis Island…The American Dream” by Cheryl Kemeny. The musical follows the adventures and struggles of European immigrants who are searching for a better life in “the land of the free”. The musical will be under the direction of Bobbie Palange and Rocky Farden.

The musical will entertain and delight our audiences while reminding us all of the heroic people, our own ancestors, who built this great country”, explained Farden. “The storyline follows several families and young people from Italy, Ireland, Germany and Russia. They endure storms at sea, hunger and discomfort on the voyages and then are faced with a final hurdle; the scrutiny of the American officials at Ellis Island. Who among them will pass through the gates at Ellis Island and realize the American dream? The production includes songs and dances, humor and drama.

Farden added that the production requires between 45 to 50 performers and features speaking parts, singing and dancing. Auditions for interested children in grades 3 through 10 will be held April 15 or 16 from 5:00 to 7:00pm at the McCrobie Building, 41 Lake Street in Oswego. Children will be asked to sing “America” (My country ‘tis of thee) and “Happy Birthday” as well as do a little reading. Previous theater experience is not required.

“Ellis Island…the American Dream” which features an array of colorful costumes and scenes will be performed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Harborfest with performances on the Children’s Stage at West Park. Times of the performances are still being finalized.

The play is part of the entertainment to be presented at the Children’s park during Harborfest 2013. For more information regarding the auditions you may contact either Rocky Farden at 272-7805 or Bobbie Palange at 343-9595.

Slated for July 25th – 28th, the 2013 edition of Harborfest will feature plenty of food, fun and entertainment as venues on both Oswego’s east and west sides will be used to deliver the excitement. Visit the Harborfest website at www.oswegoharborfest.com for the latest information regarding transportation options and performance schedules.

Oswego Harborfest conducted its off-season “Community Feedback Night” on Tuesday December 11th in the McCrobie Building ballroom, at 41 Lake Street in Oswego. City of Oswego and Harborfest officials were on hand to review the 2012 Harborfest with the public.

Nearly two dozen people were in attendance at the event with many positive comments from 2012. Several attendees also had good ideas to present for the future of the festival which enters its twenty sixth year in 2013.

The Harborfest staff thanked all for taking time to come out for this feedback session and to help mold the future of the festival with many great suggestions.

The inaugural “Collaboration of Kindness”, hosted by Oswego Harborfest at the McCrobie Building on November 15th, was a big success for the agencies represented. Supporters of the event maintained a steady stream to the event for most of the day and donation levels showed that at the end of the night.

Danielle Hayden from the American Red Cross disaster Relief Unit in Oswego was thankful for the many hygiene items along with puzzle books, coloring books and teddy bears that were donated to help fill “Comfort Kits” which go to people that are displaced by fires or natural disasters.

Majors Kathryn & James Purvis from the Oswego County Salvation Army were appreciative of the many people that donated perishable and non-perishable food items during the event. Many frozen items, including turkeys, were donated to go along with all of the non-perishable food items to help the Salvation Army host their annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner and to carry them on into December with their weekday soup kitchen lunches.

Chris Jones from the Toys for Tots received a good jump-start to his annual toy collection efforts from area children with a great out-pouring of support with donated toys at the event. Chris has many special toy raising events planned for the holiday season and hopes that the generous turnout at the “Collaboration of Kindness” event will launch him past his 2011 holiday total of 5,000 toys that he was able to distribute locally from donations.

The final big recipient of the Oswego Harborfest hosted event will be the many patients that will receive blood from the American Red Cross Blood Services Group “Paul Santore Blood Drive”. Santore, a local community supporter, passed away in September and many people came out to honor him by participating in the blood drive. The drive ended fittingly with Paul’s wife, Judy, being the final donator of the night.

Oswego Harborfest thanks Danielle Hayden, Kathryn & James Purvis, Chris Jones, Judy Santore and Barb Bateman from the Salvation Army to help put all of the pieces in place for this event. Harborfest would also like to thanks Danielle Hayden and James Purvis for taking time out of their busy schedule to help promote this event with an appearance on “Bridge Street” in East Syracuse on November 13th. Mostly Harborfest would like to thank the people who supported the event to help out all four great causes as the 2012 holiday season gets underway.

Oswego Harbor Festivals, Inc. will be hosting the inaugural “Collaboration of Kindness Day” on Thursday November 15th in the ballroom of the McCrobie Building on Lake Street adjacent to the Harborfest Offices from 7:00 AM through 7:00 PM. Four different agencies will be on hand to collect donations to kick off the 2012 holiday season locally.

Danielle Hayden, the Executive Director of the Oswego County Chapter of the Red Cross, represents the first part of this holiday collaboration. The American Red Cross Disaster Relief Unit will be accepting items for the “Comfort Kits” which are given to victims immediately after they have been displaced by a fire or natural disaster, like the recent hurricane that devastated parts of New York State. The contents of a typical comfort kit for an adult include a washcloth, shower gel or soap, mild shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, tissues, razor, shaving cream, comb, lotion and mouthwash. Kits for children include most of the same items along with a coloring or puzzle book, crayons or pencils along with a new stuffed teddy bear. Kits for adults and children can sometimes contain basic sweatshirts or sweat pants as well.

Majors Kathryn and James Purvis, the Executive Directors of the Oswego County Salvation Army, represent the second part of this holiday collaboration. The Salvation Army “Food Pantry” will be collecting perishable and non-perishable items just one week ahead of Thanksgiving Day. The local food pantry is open weekdays from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM and serves between thirty and ninety people each day. The number is sure to increase for the Thanksgiving meal on November 22nd. Donations that will be helpful for Thanksgiving include Turkeys, stuffing, cranberry sauce, potatoes and deserts. Items that can be donated and used any time of the year include vegetables, fruits, snack items, juice boxes, cereals and spaghetti sauce. Because the food pantry is located only a few blocks away from the Lake Street “Collaboration of Kindness” event, frozen items can be donated at this event and be taken right to the pantry for storage.

Chris Jones, the Oswego County Coordinator with “Toys for Tots”, represents the third part of this holiday collaboration. Toys for Tots will be collecting unwrapped toys for distribution in the local community at Christmas time. The local Toys for Tots program continues to grow each year and the number of drop box locations continues to grow as well. During the 2012 holiday season, Chris Jones had nearly two hundred drop box locations throughout Oswego County and he distributed approximately 5,000 toys from those boxes back to children in this community. The donations remain where they are placed and Chris is looking forward to and even bigger turnout of donations for the 2013 holiday season as the Toys for Tots program is underway at the “Collaboration of Kindness” event.

The final piece of this inaugural holiday collaboration event is the American Red Cross Blood Services Group which will be holding a blood drive in the memory of Paul Santore from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM during the day-long event at the McCrobie Building ballroom. At the time of his recent passing on September 13th, Paul Santore was the sitting Board President for the Salvation Army and had served in the past as the Oswego County Republican Committee Treasurer, Republican County Legislator and Republican City Chairman. He also served as a past Board Member for Harborfest and was a “Friend of the Festival” again for the 2012 event. His passing came way too early for someone so involved in the community he loved to serve. People that Paul came in contact with can honor his memory by taking part in the blood drive that bears his name on “Collaboration of Kindness Day”.

The Oswego Harborfest staff is proud to host this event to benefit these four great causes. The American Red Cross Disaster Relief Unit, the Salvation Army, Toys for Tots and the American Red Cross Blood Service Group all hope for a good turnout to kick off the holiday season at this inaugural “Collaboration of Kindness Day” on November 15th. The event will be from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM at the McCrobie Building on 41 Lake Street in Oswego, in the ballroom adjacent to the Harborfest Offices.

Representatives from the agencies that are part of the “Collaboration of Kindness Day” will be featured Tuesday November 13th on WSYR TV 9’s “Bridge Street” program to promote these four great causes one more time before the event itself on the 15th. For event updates visit www.oswegoharborfest.com or call the Harborfest Offices at (315) 343-FREE.

New York State’s 124th District Assemblyman Will Barclay was on hand at the 25th annual Harborfest on Friday July 27th to help kick off the “Tall Ship Parade” in the historic Maritime District located at the Port of Oswego Authority. While at the event he presented a proclamation to Harborfest Director Steve Fulton, commemorating the longevity that Harborfest has enjoyed as a premier summer festival in Central New York and the Northeast.

The proclamation recognizes the strong attendance that the festival has enjoyed for over two decades. The Assembly recognizes the large number of local acts that appear on the scenic stages and applauds the number of national acts that have been a staple of the event for over two decades as well.

Activities for families and children are also singled out in the proclamation as is the fact that Harborfest staff members have strived to work with educators to bring cultural themes for the event into the classrooms over the years.

The Assembly paid tribute to the twenty five year partnership with the Grucci family for the Saturday night Entergy Fireworks Spectacular, which has been the signature event of the festival since the beginning. The proclamation commends Harborfest on numerous International Festival and Events awards and multiple American Bus Association “Top 100 North American Event” awards as well.

Along with the impact on the local economy with the influx of visitors each year, the Assembly recognizes that “the treasured values of family unity and wholesome entertainment for all ages are reflected in Harborfest, an event which fosters community pride and benefits the entire region and all festival goers”.

In this State of New York Assembly Proclamation, Assemblyman Will Barclay closes by commemorating the 25th annual Harborfest as he “applauds the organizers, supporters, sponsors and staff for their dedication and commitment to excellence.”

In return, Steve Fulton and the Harborfest staff thanked Assemblyman Barclay for his staff’s help with the New York State Canal Corporation which assisted the Port of Oswego Authority in helping to coordinate the week-long preparation for the Grucci’s fireworks arrival and set-up.

New York State Senator Patty Ritchie, from the 48th District, visited the Alliance Bank “Kick-Off Gala” on Wednesday July 25th to present a Legislative Resolution to Harborfest marking the 25th annual version of the summertime festival. While at the Gala, she presented Senate Resolution Number 3070 to Harborfest Board of Directors President Mike Howard commemorating the 2012 event.

The Senate resolution points out that the quality of life of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched by the diversity of cultural, educational, recreational and entertainment opportunities throughout the State at events such as Harborfest, which exemplifies this proud tradition.

The resolution applauds Harborfest and its growth from a small local event in 1988 to becoming a major regional festival event in the Northeast beginning in the early 1990’s and continuing right up to 2012. The resolution also commends Harborfest for the main attraction of the festival from the beginning, the Saturday night Grucci Fireworks Spectacular by Entergy, which attracts over 100,000 annually to the beautiful shores of Lake Ontario.

The Senate Resolution concludes with “be it resolved that this Legislative Body pauses in its deliberations to commemorate the 25th annual Harborfest, an event which helps to foster community pride and spirit and produces a significant benefit for the citizens of Oswego and surrounding areas and the thousands of visitors who travel there to enjoy the festival.”

Harborfest Board President Mike Howard thanked Senator Ritchie for attending the Alliance Bank Gala and presenting the staff with the Legislative Resolution from the State recognizing the 25th annual Harborfest celebration.

Harborfest attendees are always excited to see an admission free concert each year featuring national touring acts that normally would require a ticket to be purchased to see them in concert. But for one fan planning on attending Harborfest in 2012, seeing the announced headliner, Kenny Loggins , would be a dream come true for her and her family.

The anticipation to see Kenny Loggins in person at Harborfest began to grow when Jill Lyon from Constellation Energy Nuclear Group announced on April 27th during the WSYR “Bridge Street” television show, that CENG would be bringing the twelve time platinum recording artist as the headlining act for the 25th annual Harborfest exactly three months later on Friday night July 27th. Admittedly there was no group of fans looking more forward to his visit than one central New York family who has a daughter with Down syndrome and has been a long time Kenny Loggins fan.

The family reached out to the Harborfest staff about two months before the festival to bring the staff up to speed with the special attraction between Kenny Loggins and one of their family members. As it was explained to the staff, this woman in her late thirties with Down’s syndrome had always been a big fan of the music of Kenny Loggins, in particular the “Footloose” soundtrack and both versions of the movie by the same name. The story relayed by the family goes on to include that the woman suffered a stroke within the past two years and some of her motor skills, such as speech and balance, had been affected to the point where they were she would not recover to the level of independence that existed before the stroke. The road to recovery from the stroke included a particular development that even caught medical officials off guard. It appeared that the woman would respond best to physical therapy and other elements of recovery when she was in the familiar surroundings of Kenny Loggins music. This story was so remarkable that the staff at Harborfest began a lengthy communication process with the Loggins management team to see if a personal “Meet ‘n Greet” could be arraigned between the popular star and the woman who was so familiar with his music.

The management team was informed by Loggins that he would meet privately with the woman and her family but then other elements of the actual visit had to be changed once they were agreed to. Loggins normally handles his “Meet ‘n Greet” events after he concludes his show and this was probably not going to be something that the woman would be able to take advantage of because the scheduled event for that night would have had her meeting the star well after 10:30. The team’s Tour Manager stepped in a few days before the show and promised that Kenny would meet the special woman before his show at Harborfest but all involved would have to be prepared for any adjustments in time as that day went on. The family was on “stand by” and texts started to flow back and forth between the Tour Manager and Harborfest. The band was ahead of their normal schedule and tentative times were set to have the family show up and meet Kenny as soon as his bus arrived at his dressing room behind the Harborfest stage. Then family was given an exact time and the sense of this unbelievable meeting was starting to take shape.

True to his word at the exact time, Kenny invited the girl and her family to meet with him back stage. To say that emotions were flowing would be an understatement. The family could not believe that the whole plan came together and that Kenny Loggins was more than personable with all of them especially the guest of honor who could not believe that she was meeting “Mr. Footloose” himself. Loggins knew what the woman’s story was as he had agreed to the special meeting. Loggins engaged in conversation with all members of the group and knew that the story that was relayed to him about her reactions to his music was something that he fully understood. One of the woman’s sisters, who is a  physical therapist, mentioned to Kenny the part about her sister’s reaction to his music during the road to recovery from her stroke. Loggins joined right in on the conversation by stating that scientific research has shown that people do in fact respond to certain sounds and music in many situations. The meeting lasted longer than most “Meet ‘n Greet” events and Loggins was nothing less than gracious with how he handled this special request for this special woman.

The smile on the faces of the woman and her family after the meeting was something that lasted the rest of the evening. The family had front row seating in and behind the handicapped area to the left of the stage and this woman got to see her musical hero perform right before her eyes. After what was a very long and excitable day for all, they left before the two encores that Loggins performed as they wanted to beat the traffic from a packed admission free concert. The Harborfest staff thanked Kenny Loggins personally after his show for what he did with meeting this woman earlier. Loggins said it was his pleasure and it was evident that it really made her day.

The woman who recently has been diagnosed with the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s disease will hopefully remember that day for a very long time. This was the day that her hero agreed to meet with her.

Hosting a live TV show at Harborfest became a reality in 2012 as the popular WSYR TV 9 “Bridge Street” program went on the road to air a live broadcast from Breitbeck Park in Oswego. Three months after the official announcement of the live broadcast, everything started to take shape almost before sunrise on Friday July 27th, 2012.

The NRG Lakeview Stage in Breitbeck Park, which had hosted tribute bands and a fireworks display only seven hours earlier when technical crew from WSYR headed out to Oswego at 5:30 in the morning from their East Syracuse headquarters to begin the process of making that stage their “home away from home” for the morning.

Tim Fox and the entire staff of producers, interns and photo journalists began the task of putting together a remote broadcast like they had done it many times before. This Harborfest appearance was a test run for their extended stay at the end of August during the weekdays of the New York State Fair where they originate live broadcasts as well.

The excitement all started for the Oswego show back on April 27th when Tammy Holden of Entergy announced on the WSYR studio version of Bridge Street that “Bridge Street Live at Harborfest” would be presented by Entergy to help kick-off the 25th annual Harborfest celebration. From that moment on, Harborfest and WSYR worked to create a segment line-up that would be appealing to a live and TV audience.

The focus of the live broadcast was to showcase the conclusion of the annual Oswego Health & The Palladium-Times Children’s Parade as it made its way from the Novelis Family Park at Franklin Square to Breitbeck Park that morning. Show hosts, Kaylea Nixon and Chris Brandolino did not disappoint as they moved from segment to segment making each guest of the show feel at home. There were several segments of the show that were focused on the children’s parade, fitness activities and musicals. The show also featured interviews with Tammy Holden of Entergy, Felix Grucci of Fireworks by Grucci and Jonathan Daniels, the Executive Director of the Port of Oswego Authority, as he talked about the historic tall ships that were on hand to commemorate the bicentennial of the start of the War of 1812. There was a touching segment about a special needs person that would be getting a private “Meet ‘n Greet” with 2012 Harborfest headliner Kenny Loggins later that day before his appearance on the same NRG Lakeview Stage. There was even a cooking segment, a staple of the studio version of Bridge Street, in which a couple food vendors were able to show off their best selling items.

A large crowd was on hand that morning in sun-drenched Breitbeck Park to watch the entire show unfold from 10:00 to 11:00 o’clock on the local ABC affiliate in the Syracuse, New York market. It was a great start to the day courtesy of Entergy and their support of “Bridge Street Live at Harborfest” which was a great way to showcase a variety of interests on live TV to so many viewers of the popular program. Many thanks go out from Harborfest to Entergy and WSYR for making the idea of a live TV remote from the festival become a reality in 2012.

A familiar tradition at Harborfest over the years has been the representation of AmeriCorps to help make the event possible. For the 25th annual festival in 2012, this partnership continued as the Oswego County AmeriCorps Program was represented by Cristina O’Hara.

The Oswego County AmeriCorps Program focuses on services for children and families. Cristina O’Hara and other members mentor and provide fitness and nutrition education activities for youths. They also manage volunteers who serve their community.

At Harborfest 2012, O’Hara added several children’s and or fitness elements to the Novelis Family Park at Franklin Square. She brought in a fitness component for the park throughout the weekend. She offered Zumba and Yoga sessions on Saturday and Sunday. She created a giant obstacle course utilizing mats and games borrowed from the Oswego Y.M.C.A. and the A.P.W. High School and a bike course with a bike donated by Murdock’s Bicycles & Sports in Oswego.

O’Hara created a children’s art display in the Palladium-Times Family Tent. She assisted with the Catskill Puppet Theater’s “Puppet Making Workshop” for the Oswego Health & Palladium-Times Children’s Parade.

For six days, from Tuesday through Sunday, O’Hara was part of the children’s T-Shirt Workshops in both Breitbeck Park and the Novelis family Park at Franklin Square. Oswego Harborfest thanks Cristina O’Hara and the Oswego County AmeriCorps Program for continuing their partnership with the festival again in 2012.

In addition to reading Harborfest updates in print over the course of the festival, many live media broadcasts will be on tap throughout Harborfest weekend.

First up will be 99.3 FM “The Wall” based in the Finger Lakes Region. They will host a live broadcast near the NRG Lakeview Stage in Breitbeck Park on Thursday afternoon from 3:00 until 5:00. “The Wall” is the media concert sponsor later that night as they host the Budweiser concerts of the Jimmy Buffett tribute band Changes in Latitudes and the Billy Joel tribute band Big Shot.

A major media exposure at Harborfest will occur on Friday morning on the NRG Lakeview Stage in Breitbeck Park as Harborfest hosts its first ever entertainment program in the twenty five year history of the festival. WSYR NewsChannel 9’s “Bridge Street Live at Harborfest presented by Entergy” will take the stage from 10:00 until 11:00. Many Harborfest themed segments have been planned for this show including the ending of the Oswego Health & Palladium-Times Children’s Parade which will end on live TV for the first time as well. The Bridge Street program can be seen live on digital channel 889 and taped at 8:00 PM on channel 890.

On Saturday morning at “Gasoline Alley” in the historic Maritime District, Joe Marotta will be broadcasting live his weekly racing radio show “Around the Tracks” on 1390 WFBL and on the internet at cnytalkradio.com. Marotta will be interviewing guests from the displays in that park including representatives from the Oswego Speedway and Watkins Glen International. He will also fill race fans in on the results of Friday night racing action from around the area.

The major television media partner for Harborfest, YNN, will be on hand throughout the festival with special interviews and features for viewers. YNN will take their audience up close and personal to many popular events. One major feature will be the visit all weekend of historic Tall Ships at the Port of Oswego which will mark the bicentennial of the beginning of the war of 1812.

Harborfest welcomes all media partners that will bring the festival out to people through print, radio and TV for the 25th annual celebration of the event.

Eagle Beverage, Budweiser and The Wall 99.3 FM will be presenting top touring tribute bands for Jimmy Buffett (Changes in Latitudes) and for Billy Joel (Big Shot) on the NRG Lakeview Stage in Breitbeck Park on opening night of the 25th annual Harborfest, Thursday, July 26th. Syracuse country music station B104.7 winds out the weekend on the NRG Lakeview Stage on Sunday afternoon by presenting the up and coming country act von Grey.

Changes in Latitudes is the country’s premier tribute show to the “Mayor of Margaritaville”, Jimmy Buffett. This nationally acclaimed band travels the country with beach balls and leis flying, dancing conga lines and “Trop Rock” fun for all. It is the ultimate beach party that is good clean fun for all ages. These world class musicians will take you on a musical cruise through the sun-drenched waters of the Caribbean. You can expect to hear such classics as Margaritaville, Come Monday, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Volcano, and of course Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes. There will be other crowd pleasing favorites like Brown Eyed Girl, Southern Cross, Another Saturday Night and the Alan Jackson/Jimmy Buffett smash hit Its Five O’clock Somewhere. Changes in Latitudes takes the stage at 7:00 PM on Thursday. 

Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot feature a front man who is a well-known Long Island Musician/ Singer/Songwriter that is a dead ringer sound alike when performing Billy Joel’s music. Big Shot is committed to performing the most accurate reenactment of Billy Joel’s music. Their playing is so much like Billy Joel’s you will feel like you are experiencing a true Billy Joel Concert. Big Shot performs all of Billy Joel’s greatest hits and even some of the lesser known tunes that only a true die-hard would know and appreciate. The true Billy Joel fan will be blown away after experiencing Big Shot live. They will also astonish you with songs in their set from other artists like, Paul McCartney, Elton John, The Beatles, Chicago, Journey, Stevie Wonder, some others and songs from DelGuidice’s original CDs. Big Shot takes the stage at 9:00 PM on Thursday. 

von Grey is a musical act from Georgia consisting of four sisters with vastly different personalities, but their passion for music ties them together in a tapestry of creativity, radiating from their souls. They strike an attractive balance, combining a youthful and even elegant femininity with an ability to be assertive and daring about social causes, teen advocacy, and the pursuit of musical excellence. Their music is equally at home with tight guitar licks, smokin’ violin solos, and rich cello sounds – all combined with three and four part harmonies and a lyrical dimension embodying a maturity of thought, intellect and expression, while also maintaining down-home accessibility. Four sisters, twelve instruments, family-harmonies, and captivating performances all come together to define von Grey, a musical experience that feels bigger than life. von Grey takes the stage at 5:00 PM on Sunday. 

The highlight of music at the Labatt Blue Light Jazz & Blues Park at Washington Square will come on Sunday afternoon with back-to-back headliner performances on the Oswego County Federal Credit Union Jazz & Blues Stage presented by Sunny 102. Nancy Kelly makes her return to Harborfest and the second-generation Brubeck Brothers perform at Harborfest, a venue that their father once played at.

Nancy Kelly live performances are legendary. She has earned many awards and enlisted fans from around the globe. In a market place where wispy voices and shallow emotions abound, Ms. Kelly is a breath of fresh air. She takes listeners back to the time when jazz, and that includes vocal jazz, was an authentic expression of real emotion. Kelly’s refined stage presence, style, and the ability to quickly capture the emotions of her audience isn’t the only thing that places Nancy in a league of her own, the lady was “Born to Swing”, and she means business. Nancy Kelly’s vocal style is a study in phrasing, style and swing. She’s both old school and new. She’s experienced, yet her delivery and ideas are fresh. She can take a song and turn it up or down, and leave you believing that it was meant to be exactly that way. It takes great jazz chops to do that, and Kelly’s are superb. Nancy was twice named “Best Female Jazz Vocalist” in the Down Beat Readers’ Poll. She has recorded four critically acclaimed CDs. Her first one titled Live Jazz reached #11 on the Billboard charts. Follow-up Cd’s Born to Swing and Well Alright feature guest tenor saxophonist Houston Person. All of Miss Kelly’s accomplishments and accolades are testament to the fact that a great jazz voice doesn’t happen overnight. More than any other instrument the voice gains its resonance and soulfulness from the life experiences of the body that surrounds it. Nancy Kelly has lived it. She is, in every respect, “The Real Deal”. Nancy Kelly takes the stage at 1:00 PM on Sunday.

The Brubeck Brothers Quartet is an exciting jazz group featuring two members of one of America’s most accomplished musical families, Dan Brubeck (drums,) and Chris Brubeck (bass & trombone.) Guitarist Mike DeMicco and pianist Chuck Lamb complete this dynamic quartet. They have performed at concert series, colleges, and jazz festivals across North America and Europe. The Brubeck Brothers Quartet’s debut Koch recording, Intuition, impressed the national jazz media and spent several weeks in the top ten radio charts while earning enthusiastic reviews from Jazz Times, Downbeat, Boston Globe and many other respected publications. Although the quartet’s style is rooted in “straight-ahead” jazz, their concerts reveal an inherent ability to explore and play odd time signatures while naturally integrating the influences of funk, blues and world music. The group’s creativity, technique and improvisation can be heard in their uncompromising music, which reflects their dedication to melody, rhythm, culture and the spontaneous spirit of jazz. The Brubeck Brothers take the stage at 3:00 PM on Sunday.

Contstellation Energy Nuclear Group, CENG, continues their support at Harborfest in 2012 by once again sponsoring the headlining act for the festival on Friday night July 27th as they welcome Kenny Loggins along with Blue Sky Riders to the Lakeview Stage in Breitbeck Park.

“Constellation Energy Nuclear Group and the employees at Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station are proud to once again join Harborfest in bringing quality entertainment to Oswego and the surrounding region,” said Ken Langdon, vice president of Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station. “We are fortunate to operate our facility in a community that has long supported the safe production of electricity via nuclear energy at Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station; our continued sponsorship of the Friday Night Concert is one of the ways we can give back to this great community.”

Harborfest Program Committee Chairperson Chuck Handley stated that “It is always great to partner with Constellation Energy Nuclear Group each year and try to bring the best available talent to Harborfest so people can see a top quality act at an admission free venue. Kenny Loggins may be the best Friday night act to ever appear at Harborfest as the festival marks its 25th event in 2012”

By any standard, Loggins’ commercial impact has been extraordinary; twelve of his albums have gone platinum and beyond. In a world of one hit wonders and fifteen minute sensations, Loggins has enjoyed hit songs in four straight decades — a remarkable testament to his exceptional craftsmanship and stamina. Yet the true measure of this man cannot be weighed in platinum and gold. Through it all, Kenny Loggins has earned the faith of those who’ve followed him along the way. To this day, Loggins continues to write and record at the height of his powers as a singer and a songwriter. This is something that Loggins proves every time he takes the stage to sing his soulful songs straight from the heart.

In the 80s, Loggins became more famous than ever as the king of the movie theme songs, thanks to massive smashes like “I’m Alright” (from Caddyshack), “Footloose” (from Footloose), “Danger Zone” (from Top Gun), and “Nobody’s Fool” (from Caddyshack II).

Y94 FM welcomes Blue Sky Riders, which consists of Kenny Loggins, Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr, scheduled to take the stage at 8:00 and then it will be Kenny Loggins performing many of his hits from the past four decades.

Located at the corner of West First and Lake Streets, the Historic Maritime District will play host to a couple of new attractions in 2012 in addition to the Harborfest Midway. In the Maritime District Park there will be a “Gasoline Alley” racing display and out on West Pier there will be a historic Tall Ships docked for festival goers to tour.

“Gasoline Alley” is a brand new venue for the Maritime District in 2012. Watkins Glen International and the Oswego Speedway will have displays set up for racing enthusiasts to look at. Oswego Speedway announcer Joe Marotta will broadcast his “Around the Tracks” radio program live from the venue on Saturday morning at 9:00 on 1390 AM WFBL or online at cnytalkradio.com.

Tall Ships return for the 25th annual Harborfest courtesy of the Port of Oswego Authority. The H. Lee White Marine Museum will be the gateway to a great display of Tall Ships that will be on display to celebrate the bicentennial of the beginning of the “War of 1812”. The ships on hand for public tours will be the Fair Jeanne, La Revenante, Caledonian and the Oswego Maritime Foundation’s Ontario. Tours will be available daily and there will be battle reenactments in the harbor with Historic Fort Ontario at 1:30 on Saturday and 12:30 on Sunday.

River Walk West is the setting at Harborfest 2012 for the C’s Beverage Center Veteran’s Stage. Nearly a dozen acts will fill the stage up over the course of the festival. A wide range of musical genres will be represented. The prime-time acts for Friday and Saturday along with the featured daytime acts for Sunday are likely to be familiar performers for Harborfest listeners.

Love Volcanoes was born in the late months of 2007 Oswego, New York and have steadily built a reputation as one of the premier live acts in New York State. With a repertoire of hundreds of original and cover songs the band brings their musical interests and creative forces together with a high tempo, pulse pounding musical experience. Whether it is rock and roll, blues, honkey-tonk, rhythm and blues or Americana, they have the ability to transform any crowd into instant fans. The Volcanoes consist of six members each with a different musical background who have played thousands of combined live performances in clubs, bars, benefits and festivals, across the United States and Canada. Founding members include Dustin Garafolo and Adam Michalski, who have each penned well over 200 compositions of different musical genres. Additional band members include Julia Stead, Patrick Galvin, Derrick Garafolo and Billy “B.J.” Alnutt. Love Volcanos will take the stage at 5:00 PM on Friday.

Reckless Drivin’ is Central New York’s unique Alt-Country, Americana and Roots-Rock band, is back to reclaim its place as one of the area’s premier acts. With a rich and storied history in Central New York’s music scene, the five-time SAMMY award-winning band is rejuvenated with fresh energy, and still strutting with the swagger that originally gave the quartet its exciting and infectious personality. Reckless Drivin’ comes to each show polished and professional, playing their upbeat, intricate arrangements with style and conviction. When the band hits the stage, their music and showmanship makes every performance an unforgettable event. They’ve proven their mettle on the big stages with such national artists as Brad Paisley, Paulette Carlson, Mark Collie, Rick Trevino, Billy Ray Cyrus, Kevin Sharp, Steel Magnolia, The Remingtons, Great Plains, Western Flyer, Louise Mandrell, the Canyon River Bluff Band, Sons of the Desert, Burnin’ Daylight, and Doug Stone. The band was founded by Kay Miracle-Burke and her husband Michael. Other members of the band include Dave Curtis and David Read. Reckless Drivin’ will take the stage at 7:00 PM on Friday.

21st Century Cowboys consist of familiar names to central New York music fans. Tom Barnes, Chris Barnes, John Bletch and Mike Miller. Individually and together, this group has a long history of belting out great tunes at the some of the most popular clubs, festivals and parties throughout the area. The 21st Century Cowboys have been labeled as alternative, a “jam band” and a rock group. They always have a good time performing their own hits and popular crowd favorites. 21st Century Cowboys will take the stage at 5:30 PM on Saturday.

the EDGE started in 2009 with a vision to create a group that made noise and waves. The quest to put together a band that would play music that appealed to the masses. Syracuse is already a modern rock-friendly locale and everyone likes to hear material that they are familiar with so it was time to get ready to rock with central New York’s newest premiere rock band…the EDGE! This tight-knit group plays a variety of modern music sure to please any true rock fan. Get loose, have fun, and get ready to rock with…the EDGE! the EDGE will take the stage at 7:30 PM on Saturday.

Fritz’s Polka Band has made 17 recordings, which have achieved international airplay. Individuals of the band, and the band itself, have received some prestigious honors. Fritz’s Polka Band has performed on stage with “Canada’s Polka King,” Walter Ostanek (Grammy winner), “America’s Polka King,” the late Frank Yankovic (Grammy winner), Lynn Marie Rink (Grammy nominee), and Glen Burtnik. They have also performed at B.B. King’s Club (2003), The China Club (2006), and The Metropolitan Club (2007) too! The band even appears on “The Manchurian Candidate” DVD, released by Paramount Pictures in 2004! In 2011, FPB had two different songs appear in episodes of the hit cable TV show, Breaking Bad, which airs on AMC. Fritz’s Polka Band will take the stage at 1:00 PM on Sunday.

Tommy Brunett is a singer / songwriter / showman based out of Upstate New York. He’s a craftsman songsmith mixing old school country, great story telling and rock and roll. He glides and stomps through his now legendary live performances with true sideshow-carny expertise and is known for his good old honest approach to life and music. All things considered, Brunett is his own genre…but old school country with attitude pretty much nails it. If you like Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, Social Distortion or Tom Waits, you’ll will like Tommy Brunett. Tommy Brunett will take the stage at 3:00 PM on Sunday. 

Festival goers attending the popular Harborfest Midway can purchase advanced sale discount tickets beginning July 1st through the “Tickets to Go” program at Price Chopper Supermarkets. This unique program allows Price Chopper to become more involved in the communities that they are located within.

You can purchase a $25 “Unlimited Ride Pass” for just $20 at any open register 24/7 at any Price Chopper Supermarket. The discounted passes are good all day long and can be used on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Sunday. The passes are not good for specialty rides.

The Harborfest Midway will again be located on Lake Street and opening up on Wednesday night, which is the night before the official start of the festival. The Midway will open at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, 5:00 PM on Thursday, 11:00 AM on Friday, 11:00 AM on Saturday and 12:00 PM on Sunday.

Harborfest has a new way for festival goers to buy their screen printed apparel in 2012. You will be able to order items in advance beginning with the June 28th Farmer’s Market and you will be able to select designs to be printed “while you wait” at the festival itself. Both of these options are courtesy of festival business partner Simply Sweet Kids Boutique in Oswego.

Simply Sweet Kids Boutique has created eight different designs for sale at Harborfest 2012. Their designs range from traditional vinyl screen printing, rhinestone effect designs and sublimation which dyes the design right into the fabric of the shirt. They will be able to offer a wide variety of shirt colors for most designs and white will serve as the only color of shirt available for the new sublimation process. Among the designs available will be the 2012 winning poster and program cover design created by a local high school student Austin DeMott.

Simply Sweet Kids Boutique will be stocking t-shirts ranging in size from children’s “Small” through men’s “3XL”. Hats, polos and sweat shirts will also be available with the embroidery of the specially designed “Harborfest 25” logo created earlier this year by The Palladium-Times.

You can begin the pre-ordering process beginning at the June 28th Oswego Farmer’s Market near the Dodge Challenger “Car Raffle” display, where you can see the new designs first hand. You can also place orders at Simply Sweet Kids Boutique, located at 142 West Second Street in Oswego.

Plenty of shirts will be made in advance of Harborfest and be available at the Memorabilia Booths in all festival parks. If you want to select your own final design, you will be able to pick your favorite design and shirt color at the Breitbeck Park Memorabilia Booth and have the shirt made “while you wait”.

Click Here to see the actual 2012 Harborfest apparel that you can custom order.

The marquee attraction for the 25th year in a row at Harborfest will be the Entergy Fireworks Spectacular by Grucci on Saturday night July 28th. The Syracuse New Times will be presenting top acts on the NRG Lakeview Stage in Breitbeck Park for the crowd of fans to listen to…before and after the fireworks. Four bands are highlighted by Journey tribute band “Separate Ways The Band”, who “wrap around” the fireworks by starting before the Grucci fireworks show and continuing after it ends.

LA the Band was first formed in the early 80’s. Two of the founding members brought the band back together a couple of years ago after recruiting former members from Toys in the Attic, Benny Mardones, BB Bop and Buster Skidd. LA plays various venues throughout Central New York bringing Van Halen, Dockken, AC/DC, Aerosmith and other great 80’s music to their audience. The group consists of Rance Walters, Mark Caruana, Steve Ulin and David Impellizari. LA the Band takes to the stage at 4:00 PM on Saturday.

Big Eyed Phish is THE premier Dave Matthews Tribute band to see! Recreating the musical styling of the Dave Matthews band, from the early stages of the band in 93-94 to renditions of Funny the Way It Is andShake Me Like a Monkey, which have been new staples on Dave Matthews band’s latest tours. The band is assembled and led by Brandon DePaul, who has had 1000′s of hours on Stage with Rochester’s favorite, Tripping Billies. Brandon is backed by some of the best musicians in Rochester, Mike Hoeschele, Chris Brodehecker, Brian Dudiak, Dan Merkey, Collin Jones, and Karl Thomas. Together these incredible and inspiring musicians make up Big Eyed Phish, the closest recreation of a live Dave Matthews Band show. Big Eyed Phish takes the stage at 6:00 on Saturday. 

Separate Ways The Band is the Ultimate Journey Tribute Show on the east coast and truly defies description. This is the closest you’ll get to see the early-mid 80′s line-up of Journey live, ever. An accurate portrayal of the Steve Perry era is duplicated in every way. Experience all of the subtle nuances, inflections, harmonies and visual gratifications of seeing the original Journey show. Separate Ways The Band brings the highest level of musicianship to the audience while showing a true respect for the music of Journey. Separate Ways The Band, featuring Dan Gagliano on lead vocals along with Mike Llewellyn, Ritchie DiCarlo, Jason Mitchell and Mick Loro, is the Ultimate Tribute to the music of Journey. Five amazing musicians recreating the music of Journey. Separate Ways The Band takes to the stage at 8:15 PM on Saturday and continues their show right after the fireworks end.

THE BOMB has entertained at the biggest and best clubs and venues all over Central New York for twelve years. THE BOMB plays a mix of cover tunes from all of the hottest modern rock, ’80′s Metal and Classic Metal bands, along with some original music mixed in the set. THE BOMB consists of M.J. SantaLucia, Mitch Mann, Jim Crossway, Dan Mahoney and Marcus Recchio. THE BOMB takes to the stage at 11:15 PM on Saturday.

The Syracuse Silver Knights will be honorary members of Oswego Health’s Sun Patrol and health ambassadors during the organization’s Harborfest activities. Oswego Health, which co-sponsors the annual Harborfest Children’s Parade, has invited the Silver Knights to walk in the parade to promote healthy habits and good nutrition.

The parade will begin at 9:45 AM in the Novelis Family Park at Franklin Square. The parade will proceed along West Fifth Street and end in Breitbeck Park on live TV during the WSYR “Bridge Street” program. Community members are encouraged to come to the park early and take part in the pre-parade activities which begin at 9:00 AM on the Oswego Health Stage.

During the children’s parade, members of the Oswego Health Sun Patrol hand out small packets of sunscreen. This initiative was undertaken after staff from Oswego Hospital’s emergency room noted that many young children were seeking treatment for severe sunburn during Harborfest.

Once the parade ends at Breitbeck Park, Oswego Health has arranged for the Silver Knights to hold several soccer drills where children and youths can test their skills. The skill sessions will be held at the former little league baseball field.

The Syracuse Silver Knights, a professional soccer team, completed its inaugural season in March. The Knights, whose home games are played in the Onondaga County War Memorial, are part of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). The MISL-style indoor soccer is a high-powered, fast-paced game. The Knights will begin their second season later this fall.

Members of the Oswego Health Auxiliary will also be providing activities that promote good health at Breitbeck Park following the parade.

The 25th annual Harborfest in 2012, slated for July 26th to the 29th, will feature one of the most decorated recording artists over the past four decades, a live broadcast of a television show for the first time and top regional and national tribute bands and jazz & blues performers.

Harborfest 2012 kicks off in a big way on “Budweiser Thursday Night” as Eagle Beverage and Budweiser present two national tribute bands. Opening up the night on the NRG Oswego Harbor Power Lakeview Stage will be Changes in Latitudes, which is the country’s premier tribute show to the “Mayor of Margaritaville”, Jimmy Buffett. This nationally acclaimed band travels the country with beach balls and leis flying, dancing conga lines and “Trop Rock” fun for all. It is the ultimate beach party that is good clean fun for all ages. Closing out the night on the NRG Lakeview Stage will be BIG SHOT, the world’s premier Billy Joel show, featuring the amazing vocals and piano of Michael DelGuidice, a well-known and respected Long Island multi-instrumentalist. He is backed by one of the most dynamic and seasoned bands in the industry and have performed with Billy Joel himself and his Broadway musical “Movin’ Out”.

On Friday morning, the NRG Lakeview Stage will play host to the first live broadcast of a television program in the twenty five year history of Harborfest. “Bridge Street Live at Harborfest” presented by Entergy Nuclear, will take to the stage at 10:00 for broadcast on WSYR NewsChannel 9. Show hosts Kaylea Nixon and Chris Brandolino will feature several Harborfest themed segments during the one hour program. Next up on the NRG Lakeview Stage will be “CENG Friday Night” with the Constellation Energy Nuclear Group sponsoring the appearance of twelve time platinum recording artist Kenny Loggins along with Blue Sky Riders. With a career that spans four decades, Loggins became more famous than ever in the 1980’s as the king of the movie theme songs, thanks to massive smashes like “I’m Alright” (from Caddyshack), “Footloose” (from Footloose), “Danger Zone” (from Top Gun), and “Nobody’s Fool” (from Caddyshack II).

The tribute band line-up continues on the NRG Lakeview Stage on “Entergy Saturday Night”. First up will be Big Eyed Phish, the premier tribute to the Dave Matthews Band. The band recreates the musical styling of the Dave Matthews band from their beginnings in the 1993-1994 era right up to playing some of the latest tour hits for the popular band. Next up on stage will be Separate Ways The Band, the ultimate Journey Tribute Show on the east coast which truly defies description. This is the closest you’ll get to see the early-mid 80’s line-up of Journey live, ever. An accurate portrayal of the Steve Perry era is duplicated in every way. Separate Ways The Band will take a break for the 25th annual Fireworks Spectacular by Grucci, presented by Entergy Nuclear. After the Grucci show the sound of Journey returns to the stage for the large crowd gathered in Breitbeck Park.

The weekend’s entertainment comes to a close on “Labatt Blue Light Sunday” as Eagle Beverage and Labatt Blue Light present two nationally known acts in the Labatt Blue Light Jazz & Blues Park at Washington Square. This east side jazz & blues themed venue has become a favorite of fest goers over the years. First up on Sunday afternoon on the Oswego County Federal Credit Union Jazz & Blues Stage will be the Nancy Kelly Quartet. Nancy was twice named “Best Female Jazz Vocalist” in the Down Beat Readers’ Poll. She has recorded four critically acclaimed CD’s. Her first CD “Live Jazz” reached #11 on the Billboard Charts. Rounding out the day on stage will be the Brubeck Brothers Quartet. This exciting jazz group features two members of one of America’s most accomplished musical families, Dan Brubeck (drums) and Chris Brubeck (bass & trombone). Guitarist Mike DeMicco and pianist Chuck Lamb complete this dynamic group.

This preview is just some of the wall to wall entertainment that will be available from Thursday to Sunday at Harborfest in 2012. Several more in-depth press releases are being finalized and all event details, when published, can easily be found by logging on to www.oswegoharborfest.com or www.facebook.com/harborfest.

They are…synonymous with Harborfest. They are..part of the copyrighted logo for the festival. They are…the “Fireworks Spectacular by Grucci”. For twenty four years, the signature venue for Harborfest has been the Saturday night fireworks display which has never been rained out.

Entergy Nuclear is proud to again be the main sponsor, of the main attraction, at the 25th annual Harborfest this July. “Entergy is proud to be part of the 25th annual Harborfest,” said Entergy Nuclear’s James A. FitzPatrick Site Vice President Mike Colomb. “Our continued sponsorship of the world-class fireworks by Grucci that illuminate the sky over the Oswego Harbor also marks the 25th year of our partnership with the festival. Our support provides us an opportunity to give back to our local community”.

“It’s impressive to see how many of our employees pitch in and contribute to all the activities that make Harborfest a success, said FitzPatrick Communications Specialist Tammy Holden. “Their continued involvement helps to provide logistical support to the festival and free, educational and fun activities for families at Entergy’s tents located in Breitbeck Park.”

The fireworks spectacular by Grucci seems to get better with each passing year and there is little doubt that the 25th version of this world class display will be the best yet. As a special “thank you” to Harborfest for a twenty five year relationship with Grucci, there will be a Thursday night, opening ceremony finale, fireworks display above Breitbeck Park at the conclusion of the entertainment acts on the Lakeview Stage.

Emerging artists from Oswego County will be front and center for the first time at the “Showcase Oswego” venue slated as an attraction in the Novelis Family Park at Franklin Square which will have a convenient Trolley stop at West Third and West Seneca Streets.

This new attraction is open to local artists that are not yet ready for the “Juried Arts and Crafts” venues that have long been a tradition at festivals such as Harborfest. These artists will be putting on demonstrations in their tent on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They will also be working on a “Starry Night Mosaic” throughout the weekend which will be made from wine bottle bottoms. This venue give artists from the community a chance to carry on the tradition of arts and crafts that Harborfest was founded on twenty five years ago.

All area artists are invited to be part of the first ever “Showcase Oswego”. Click here for applications.

The Monday August 1st, 1988 edition of The Palladium-Times carried the front page headline “Harborfest Titled Smashing Success”. The article quoted then Mayor, John T. Sullivan, as saying the event was “Smashingly successful…it was beyond our wildest expectations”. The executive director of the Greater Oswego Chamber of Commerce at the time, Sandy Resnick, indicated that the most popular event during the inaugural Harborfest was the Saturday night Grucci fireworks display. Resnick commented “The real indication of success is the fact that people are asking about next year…that’s the feedback that counts”.

Fast-forward to 2012 and the 25th version of Harborfest looks to keep building on that momentum that Sullivan and Resnick spoke about in 1988. Harborfest has grown by leaps and bounds since the 1988 kick-off event but still maintains a sense of the beauty that the Oswego Harbor has to offer to hundreds of thousands of visitors that make their plans to be in Oswego on the last weekend of July each summer. Handling this many visitors is not an easy task to pull off.

The one constant which the not-for-profit Harborfestivals, Inc. has learned from day one, is that you cannot put on a festival of this magnitude without a small army of organized volunteers. The number of volunteers some summers can easily approach 1,000. There are nearly four hundred volunteers permanently in the database which is the tip of the iceberg needed to help cover over five hundred fifty four hour shifts during the festival and just over two hundred shifts to help with setting things up for the event. Volunteer applications can be picked up at the Harborfest Offices at 41 Lake Street and volunteers can submit their name by visiting www.oswegoharborfest.com.

So much input from repeating sponsors and fest goers have given the Harborfest Board of Directors much optimism for the direction the 2012 event is starting to take. Many “favorites” will remain as they have for several years and some changes are anticipated to bring certain venues back to the way they used to be. Harborfest is negotiating to again bring back tall ships into the Oswego harbor which may include a bicentennial reenactment of the war of 1812 at Fort Ontario. East Park will return as a jazz and blues park. River Walk East will return with expanded vendors. West Linear Walkway will have a great blend of local acoustic music. Breitbeck Park will again be the site of national recording acts from Thursday through Sunday. The harbor itself will be the setting again for the world famous Grucci fireworks display. And as stated, sponsor and family feedback have asked to help return to the original mission of the late Charlotte Sullivan to have a Children’s Park in a family oriented safe setting. In 2012, families with children will again be able to take in all of the waterfront activities that Harborfest has to offer and then circle back to West Park where the “Children’s Park” will return to its former location.

Many details are still being worked out for all aspects of the 25th Harborfest. Program Committee members have already begun to sift through dozens of local talent applications from groups and individuals that want to be part of the great talent line-up for 2012. Complete press releases concerning sponsorship announcements and local and national talent signings will be covered in depth in The Palladium-Times and on the Harborfest website

Oswego Harborfestivals, Inc. has announced the appointment of Steve Pryor as Sponsorship, Membership and Media PR Coordinator for Harborfest. Pryor served as Marketing Director for the Oswego Speedway from 2004 to 2011 and has a long standing relationship of supporting Harborfest that dates back two decades.

Pryor stated that “almost twenty years ago to the date, myself and Ed Tucker met with Charlotte Sullivan to help create the first ever ‘Official Vehicle’ program for Harborfest in conjunction with the Pontiac Motor Division. That program lasted nearly ten years and included ‘Official Pace Cars’ for the International Supermodified Association at the Oswego Speedway, Sandusky Speedway and Watkins Glen International. In the years that followed I was able to work with Pontiac Motorsports representatives and bring the Bobby LaBonte #18 and the John Andretti #43 race cars to the Port Authority Stage area for display during consecutive Harborfest events. I am very excited to think that I will be handling some of the very same duties that the late Charlotte Sullivan did in the formative years of Harborfest.”

Harborfest Board President Mike Howard stated “Steve is more than capable of handling the duties that we will be seeking from him. I have seen his marketing abilities first hand over the past seven years and I am happy that he will be part of the future for Harborfest.”

Chuck Handley, who is the Vice President of Harborfest, added “Steve is a perfect fit for what we are looking for at Harborfest. I have interacted with him over the past seven years and I know that he will be good at dealing with marketing plans and sponsorship details, both with corporate partners and private individuals that support the festival through the ‘Membership’ program.”

Pryor concluded “After serving as Marketing Director at the Oswego Speedway, which is the #2 tourism destination annually in Oswego County, I am completely thrilled to have the chance to handle the sponsorship duties at Harborfest, which is the #1 tourism destination annually in Oswego County.”

The twenty fifth edition of Harborfest takes place this summer from July 26th – 29th.

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The annual Harborfest Volunteer Picnic was held Wednesday in the Breitbeck Park pavilion.  Following another successful Harborfest, volunteers were able to relax, reminisce and enjoy each other’s company following another strenuous and exhausting festival.

“We certainly want to thank all the volunteers for everything they do for Harborfest,” said Volunteer Coordinator Michael Petrilli.  Without their help, there is no festival.  We also want to thank all those businesses that support the Harborfest Volunteer Program, especially our title sponsor Pathfinder Bank.”

Volunteers Donna Nichols and Harvey Spinks relax (finally) at the 2011 Harborfest Volunteer Picnic.

Over 100 volunteers took part in the post-festival picnic, with food donated by Garafolo’s and the volunteer picnic cake made and donated by Kathy’s Cakes and Specialty Treats.  Volunteers also won door prizes and Karina Rubio won the bicycle donated by Murdock’s Bicycles and Sports.

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS AND SPONSORS OF THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM.

THANK YOU TO:  Pathfinder Bank, Garafolo’s, Kathy’s Cakes and Specialty Treats, Monroe Muffler/Brake Service, Enzo’s Deli & Pizzeria, Blue Plate Seafood, Greene’s Ale House, Oswego Cinema 7, Dew’s Burger Bar, Price Chopper, Port City Diner, Global Buffet, Tanning Bed, The Press Box, la Parrilla, Friendly’s and Walmart.

The 2011 Harborfest Children’s Gala will be an old fashioned English Garden Party.  In conjuction with the theme for this year’s festival, the English Garden Party will take place Tuesday, July 26 in Breitbeck Park from 6-7:30 PM, rain or shine.  Tickets are just $6 and must be ordered in advance.  Tickets will be available at the Harborfest offices until 5 PM, Monday, July 25.  For more information:  Children’s Gala Flier.

RIVERWALK WEST – Sunday, July 31, 2011

12 PM – Elephant Shoes

1:30 PM – F5

3 PM – Elephant Shoes

Trolley button design by Rebecca Krass, OHS

Harborfest has announced the winners of the 2011 Design Contest held this spring in conjunction with the Oswego City School District. This year’s “Great Britain/England” festival theme was captured by students from various schools in the Oswego City School District.

“We are certainly blessed with some very talented students from the elementary level right up through the high school,” said Harborfest Executive Director. Last year we chose just one design to feature, but with so many excellent pieces submitted this year, it was hard to narrow it down to just one, so we decided to incorporate as many of the designs as possible.”

Students from Melissa Martin’s art class at Oswego High School showed their graphic art skills. Chrissy Abare (2011 Harborfest poster design), Justine Harrington (Harborfest brochure), Katherine Robinson (Harborfest program cover) and Rebecca Krauss (Harborfest trolley button) all submitted graphic artwork that will be featured on this year’s Harborfest printed materials.

Martin was very proud of her students, saying “I think it is great work and it is very professional at the highest level. There was plenty of research and sketching before the successful end result which I am very proud of.”

Students from Riley Elementary School show off their Harborfest placemat artworks.

In addition to the OHS students work, artwork by students in Rebecca Woods’ Riley Elementary School class were incorporated into a unique promotion in which the artwork was used on placemats that were distributed to local restaurants. Sophie Woods, Sierrah Haas, Kaitlyn Grant and Ana Cummins all had their artwork reproduced on placemats that are featured at Canales, The Press Box, The Ritz, GS Steamers Bar & Grill, Red Sun Fire Roasting Company and Port City Bakery.

Art teacher Linda Shannon and Oswego Middle School students researched many of their favorite authors from both England and Central New York to come up with designs and images that would illustrate the Harborfest theme through literature. Students recreated characters from these books and placed them in the geographical backdrops of Oswego and London. These works will be on display during the weekend of Harborfest situated on boards constructed in an open book-like fashion and placed on either side of the railroad tunnel bridge in East Park.

Artwork created by students at Oswego Middle School will be showcased at the Novelis Family Park at East Park.

“The relationship with Harborfest is great,” said Superintendent Bill Crist. “It’s continuing to grow each year. I am glad that Harborfest includes our kids and families in part of this great community event.”

The students’ hard work will be recognized during the Harborfest Opening Ceremonies on Thursday, July 28 on the NRG Lakeview Stage in Breitbeck Park.

Harborfest Hospitality Packages

Oswego Harborfest announced today a brand new, private hospitality tent will be available at Breitbeck Park for those people that would like to eat and watch the music on the NRG Lakeview Stage during this year’s festival.

Enjoy the privacy and exclusive feel of Harborfest. The hospitality tent will be “stage left” from the NRG Lakeview Stage. Packages for the hospitality tent include a buffet style menu with appetizers and a cash bar. Reservations are now being taken for Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31. The hospitality tent will be catered by two different caters. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que will serve their southwestern-style menu on Saturday, July 30; and, The American Foundry will cater Sunday afternoon.

Saturday night is filled with music and fireworks, highlighted by Buffalo native and rising country music star Sean Patrick McGraw. The music Saturday on the NRG Lakeview Stage starts at 4 PM with Chris Taylor & The Custom Taylor Band, followed by McGraw at 6 PM. Brass, Inc. takes the stage at 8:15 PM and again after the fireworks. Ten Man Push concludes the Saturday night schedule taking the stage at 11:15 PM. Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone headlines the Sunday music on the NRG Lakeview Stage at Breitbeck Park. The Brian Lindsay Band opens Sunday afternoon at 1 PM, followed by Magical Mystery Tour at 3 PM and cocljuding with Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone at 5 PM.

“We have some great music all weekend long,” said Tom Van Schaack, Executive Director of Harborfest. We’ve had an open tent the last couple of years that just sat there empty with the exception of Friday night, so we decided to utilize the area and give festival-goers the opportunity to enjoy the music and food from a secure and exclusive area.”

Saturday night, dinner will be served from 6 PM-9 PM. Sunday afternoon, the area will open at 1 PM and food will be served from 1 PM to 3 PM. Individual tickets for Saturday night start at $85 and tables of eight are just $680. Sunday afternoon, tickets start at $50 and tables of six start at only $300. There are discounts for multiple table orders, and seating is limited each night.

Slated for July 28-31, the 2011 edition of Harborfest will feature plenty of food, fun and entertainment as venues on both Oswego’s east and west sides will be used to deliver the excitement. A wide variety of entertainment will be featured on stages throughout the city of Oswego including, the Jazz & Blues Stage in East Park, the Family Stage at the Novelis Family Park at East Park, the Veteran’s Stage on West River Walk and the NRG Lakeview Stage in Breitbeck Park.

East Park Labatt Blue Light Jazz & Blues Stage – Sunday,
July 31, 2011

4 PM – BD Lenz presented by C’s Farm Market

6 PM – Hard Logic presented by Gibby’s Irish Pub

8 PM – Lao Tizer

The team from Entergy Nuclear took top team score honors at Oswego Harborfest’s Bowlfest 2011 presented by Chestnut Street Security Sunday afternoon at Lighthouse Lanes in Oswego. The sixth annual Harborfest fundraising event featured ten teams competing for several honors.

In addition to the Entergy Nuclear team that won the overall team title with a team 3-game series score of 3013, Keri Parker, representing the City of Oswego DPW team, captured the top female crown with a 3-game total of 484. Tom “Homer” Hines won the men’s title with a 3-game series of 701. Teams from Eagle Beverage, Entergy Nuclear and City of Oswego DPW each won skins. Although not an official category, Matt Salmader of the Novelis team had the single game high score of 285, coming within two throws of a perfect 300 game in the first game of the 3-game event.

Other teams represented at the 2011 Bowlfest included Oswego County Federal Credit Union, who had two teams at the event, Team OH (Osetek-Hurlbutt), The Palladium Times, Novelis and the event sponsors from Chestnut Street Security. Lane sponsors of the event included Burke’s Home Center, C’s Farm Market, Caraccioli & Associates, PLLC, Eskay Cocnerts/Up All Night, Great Lakes Recycling, GS Steamers Bar & Grill, Kraftees College Town, National Grid, Price Chopper and RJ Caruso Tax & Accounting. Trophies presented to the high team score, low team score, high male and females 3-game scores were provided by Lupien’s Awards World.

Harborfest 2011 will take place July 28-31 and includes live music at East Park’s Jazz & Blues Stage and the NRG Lakeview Stage in Breitbeck Park, along with the Novelis Family Park at East Park and the Riverwalk East’s Juried Arts & Crafts venue.

The Entergy Nuclear Saturday Fireworks Spectacular takes place July 30 during Harborfest.

The world famous Entergy Nuclear Harborfest Fireworks by Grucci of New York will be Saturday, July 30 at approximately 9:30 PM. For the 24th consecutive year, the Saturday night fireworks spectacular will highlight the annual admission-free music festival on the shores of southeast Lake Ontario.

“The Entergy Nuclear Fireworks by Grucci of New York has always been and will continue to be the showcase event of Harborfest,” said Harborfest Executive Director Tom Van Schaack. “Everyone involved with Harborfest is extremely grateful to Entergy Nuclear for their continued support of this community event.”

The nearly half-hour Entergy Nuclear Fireworks Spectacular is the only world-class fireworks exhibition in upstate New York and demonstrates the highest level of pyrotechnic artistry as thousand of shells and “ground effects” are choreographed to a carefully selected music track. Produced by Fireworks by Grucci of New York, the Entergy Nuclear Fireworks Spectacular is a very special event that draws an estimated audience of more than 75,000 people to the southeastern shores of Lake Ontario each year.

“On behalf of the 15,000 Entergy employees within our company and especially the 630 employees at FitzPatrick, we’re proud to once again sponsor the world-class fireworks display that decorates the sky over the Oswego harbor,” said Entergy Nuclear’s James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Station Site Vice President Kevin Bronson. “The sponsorship of this event and our continued support of Harborfest provide us an opportunity to give back to our community. FitzPatrick employees volunteer throughout Harborfest weekend, providing logistical support to the festival as well as staffing the Entergy tent that offers free fun and educational activities for families.”

John Scardella, President of the Board of Directors for Harborfest, recognizes and appreciates the important impact that Entergy’s participation has on Harborfest. “We are very fortunate to receive the high level of support and commitment that the management and employees of the James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant has provided to Harborfest over these many years. Entergy Nuclear employees have given thousands of hours of their time and talents to Harborfest as valued volunteers and we can’t thank them enough. From the beginning they have helped Harborfest by assisting in festival set up, electrical installations, fireworks barge set up and tear-down as well as staffing the activities tent,” said Scardella.

Tammy Holden, Communication Specialist with Entergy Nuclear, meets with Harborfest Executive Director Tom Van Schaack (L) and Felix Grucci from Fireworks by Grucci to develop the 2011 Entergy Nuclear Fireworks for Harborfest.

Fireworks by Grucci’s of New York is an award winning Long Island Based company known for its complex and exciting shows. In addition to Harborfest they have produced fireworks displays for six presidential inaugurations, the Statue of Liberty Centennial, the Brooklyn Bridge Centennial, The Lake Placid Olympic Games, the Los Angeles Olympic Games, the Salt Lake City Olympic Games, the Olympic Games in Greece and several world fairs.

Harborfest 2011 is scheduled for July 28-31 and will feature plenty of food, fun and entertainment as venues on both Oswego’s east and west sides will be used to deliver the excitement. A wide variety of entertainment will be featured on stages throughout the city of Oswego including, the Novelis Family Park at East Park, East Park’s Jazz & Blues Stage, the Veteran’s Stage in Riverwalk West, and the NRG Lakeview Stage in Breitbeck Park. Visit the Harborfest website at www.oswegoharborfest.com for the latest information on this year’s festival.

Sponsors of the Harborfest Volunteer Program

Harborfest Volunteer Coordinator, Michael Petrilli, has announced that the Harborfest 2011 volunteer recruitment drive is officially underway. According to Petrilli the 24th edition of Harborfest, slated for July 28 –31, requires more than 600 volunteers to prepare for and staff the festival’s many venues in anticipation of the more than 250,000 visitors who are expected to attend Harborfest 2011. For several years the Volunteer Program has been made possible in conjunction with the sponsorship of Pathfinder Bank.

To celebrate National Volunteer Week, Harborfest officials met with park and operations managers recently to discuss changes for Harborfest 2011 and to officially kick-off Harborfest’s volunteer recruitment drive for 2011. “Our volunteers are the hidden treasures of Harborfest. They do everything from setting up the parks, overseeing the venues, selling memorabilia and 50/50 raffle tickets, welcoming our visitors and much, much more,” said Petrilli.

“Harborfest is a volunteer driven festival. It remains successful thanks to the continued commitment of our valued volunteers. Volunteers are needed for all venues, functions and times. They provide information to visitors about the events and activities at Harborfest, serve as trolley hosts, answer the phones, help set up the parks, staff memorabilia booths and carry out hundreds of other tasks to help make the festival happen,” added Petrilli.

Harborfest Volunteer Sam Carver (center) is presented a new bicycle from Harborfest board member Amanda Baker (L) and Ben Turner (R), owner of Murdock's Bicycles and Sports.

According to Petrilli, volunteers are typically asked to serve one four-hour shift at a time and location that is convenient to them. Harborfest accepts volunteers of many ages and provides training and orientation sessions for all registered volunteers. “All volunteers receive special training and a uniform shirt so visitors can quickly identify them when in need of help. All volunteers, no matter what the job, are highly valued, as without them, this festival could not happen, he added.”

All you need to do is fill out a volunteer application and go through a simple interview process. The interview allows the volunteer coordinator to match your skills to the best volunteer position for YOU!

For more information contact the Harborfest Volunteer Coordinator, Michael Petrilli, at 315-343-6858, or visit the Harborfest website at www.oswegoharborfest.com to download an application.

“We invite volunteers who have served with us in the past to join us for Harborfest 2011, and welcome those individuals who have never been a volunteer to share in the personal satisfaction and community pride that comes from being a part of Harborfest,” said Petrilli.

Michael Place and the Oswego County All Stars perform the 2010 Harborfest Song “Making Waves” on the NRG Lakeview Stage during the opening ceremonies at Harborfest 2010.

Harborfest Song application 2011

Harborfest is defined by its traditions…world-class fireworks, nationally known entertainers, food and fun for all ages and the official Harborfest song. Each year festival organizers listen to entries from songwriters hoping to strike the right chord and have their musical composition selected as the official Harborfest 2011 song.

Once again Harborfest is soliciting entries for the official Harborfest song. According to festival organizers the original song can be in any musical style and should capture the excitement of Harborfest and convey the essence of the festival to the listener. The winning song will be performed live during Harborfest’s Opening Ceremonies on July 28th on the NRG Lakeview Stage in Breitbeck Park. In addition the song will be recorded for use in the music track that accompanies the Entergy Nuclear Fireworks Spectacular on July 30th. The composer of the official Harborfest song will receive a $500 honorarium.

Official Harborfest Song Applications are available at the Harborfest offices, 41 Lake Street in Oswego, A&J Music, 104 West Bridge Street in Oswego, or can be downloaded from the Harborfest website, www.oswegoharborfest.com.

All entries must include an official Harborfest Song Application, a lead sheet (melody, chord changes, and lyrics), and a clearly labeled CD recording of the song. Completed entries may be delivered in person or mailed to Harborfest, 41 Lake Street, Oswego, NY 13126. All entries must be received no later than Friday, May 27th. The winner will be notified on or before June 10th. For more information you may contact Barbara Manwaring in the Harborfest offices at 343-6858.

Slated for July 28-31, the 2011 edition of Harborfest will feature plenty of food, fun and entertainment as venues on both Oswego’s east and west sides will be used to deliver the excitement. A wide variety of entertainment will be featured on stages throughout the city of Oswego including, the Jazz & Blues Stage in East Park, the River Stage at Riverwalk West, the Family Stage at the Novelis Family Park at East Park and the NRG Lakeview Stage in Breitbeck Park.

Oswego Harborfest’s Bowlfest 2011 presented by Chestnut Street Security will take place on Sunday, May 15 at Lighthouse Lanes on Shampine Drive in Oswego from 12 PM to 3 PM. This year’s event once again promises to be an afternoon filled with fun for the entire family.

“This is a great opportunity for people to come out and enjoy a fun-filled day of bowling and also to help support Harborfest’s efforts to continue to bring a quality admission-free festival to our community,” said Harborfest Executive Director Tom Van Schaack. “Being a non-profit organization, and an admission-free festival, we rely on events such as Bowlfest to generate funds that will help support Harborfest not only during the week of the festival, but with our year ‘round operation.”

Cosmic Bowling will once again be featured at Harborfest's Bowlfest Event.

Harborfest is now accepting team registrations as well as Lane and Event Sponsors. The cost for a 5-person team is just $275 per team and includes 3 games of bowling, shoe rental, food and drinks, a Skins Game and a Bowlfest gift. Lane Sponsorships are just $50 per lane, and Co-Event Sponsorships are just $200 and includes a lane sponsorship. There is a 24-team and 24-lane sponsor limit available on a first come, first serve basis.

“Lighthouse Lanes is excited about again hosting Harborfest’s Bowlfest event,” said Dana Hollister, Manager of Lighthouse Lanes. “Harborfest has been a great organization to partner with over the years and we’re happy to continue to support this terrific event that brings so much to our community every year.”

In addition to two games of regular bowling, the third and final game of Bowlfest 2011 will be cosmic bowling. There will be prizes awarded for the top team score, top female and male scores, as well as a shootout and a Lucky 8 competition. One hundred percent of funds raised from Bowlfest 2011 will go directly back into the Harborfest operation.

Registration for Bowlfest 2011 at Lighthouse Lanes is from 11 AM to 12 PM and bowling begins at 12 PM. For more information on registering for Bowlfest 2011, contact Oswego Harborfest at 315-343-6858 or visit the Harborfest Web Site at www.oswegoharborfest.com.

Harborfest 2011 will take place July 28-31 and includes live music at East Park’s Jazz & Blues Stage, the NRG Lakeview Stage in Breitbeck Park and the River Stage at Riverwalk West, along with the Novelis Family Park at East Park and the Riverwalk East’s Juried Arts & Crafts venue.

One of the more popular Harborfest venues with festival-goers is the former Pride of New York “Farmer’s Market” in Breitbeck Park.  In 2011, the Harborfest “Farmer’s Market” is expanding to include not only Pride of New York vendors, but any New York State agricultural vendors that grow their products in New York State.  The new Harborfest Trail in Breitbeck Park will feature the best of New York State wine, cheese, maple syrup and other agricultural products, where everything is homegrown, farm fresh and available for sampling and purchase.

To apply to be a Harborfest Trail vendor, simply download the application off the Harborfest web site at www.oswegoharborfest.com or call the Harborfest offices and request an application be mailed or faxed to you.

2011 Harborfest Trail Application
2011 Harborfest Trail Application Instructions