Chenango gets ready to rock Independence Day

NORWICH – What would the Fourth of July be in Chenango County without fireworks, good food and country music? That’s the question that fuels the efforts made by the holiday event organizers year after year, and they agree, it just wouldn’t be the same.

This year organizer Terry Potter of Millennia Entertainment along with members of The Place and the Norwich Career Firefighters are pulling together for a variety of activities – some from years past – to make their fourth year one to remember.

The event will get kicked off at noon on the 4th and will last all day and well into the evening. Admission for the day is $5 per person ages seven and up. Children under seven will be admitted free.

“People always wonder how we can keep the admission low – it is all because of our sponsors,” said Potter.

The fourth annual Fireworks over the Fairgrounds, as in years past, will offer food, a mid-way and live entertainment throughout the day. This year, Potter said they are also trying to bring back some of the events that years ago made the holiday one to remember. “We are bringing back hot air balloons. They were traditionally always part of the Fourth of July celebrations here,” he said. “This year it is a collaboration of organizers and the community pulling together to make the day great.”

For youth, the “Family Fun Zone,” according to The Place Executive Director Dave Sheldon, will offer an array of activities that “children will be sure to enjoy.”

In the “zone” there will be “reading in our lives” with characters such as Strawberry Shortcake, the Berenstain Bears, Franklin the Turtle and Winnie the Pooh as well as arts and crafts sponsored by various organizations. Face painting will be done by Nicole Mazzole, owner of the Art Upstairs Gallery in Norwich. The Ross Park Zoomobile will be there as well displaying exotic animals. To entertain family fun zone audiences, singer/soongwriter Skip West will be on hand providing a range of tunes that the whole family can enjoy.