ONEONTA _ Historical figures, politicians and superheroes are expected to be in Oneonta's centennial parade Saturday afternoon.
``Things are looking great,'' Kevin Herrick, co-chairman of the Centennial Committee, said Thursday.
More than 100 groups have signed up to be in the parade, an event designed to include people from throughout the area to celebrate the 100th birthday of the city, he said.
The fire departments, musical units and other groups have been organized to present variety along the lineup, Herrick said, and the 4:30 p.m. parade could stretch beyond an hour as it moves along Main Street downtown.
``It certainly will be an historic event,'' Herrick said.
Groups will meet between 3 and 4 p.m. Saturday in Neahwa Park, he said, and they will proceed to Main Street and over the viaduct, through downtown to Grand and Division streets and back into the park at the James Georgeson Avenue entrance near Damaschke Field.
Participating in the commemorative event, highlighting historic and memorable moments and showing community support were among reasons cited by members of groups planning to be in the lineup.
Dollars for Scholars will have a contingent of high school students and a banner displaying a new logo, said board member Carol Baker.
``It's the centennial parade,'' Baker said. ``We just wanted to take part.''
Valleyview and Riverside elementary schools plan a presence in the parade. The theme at Riverside this year is ``Be a Riverside Action Hero,'' said teacher Kevin Neer, and some students will be donning the capes of superheroes for the parade.
Friends of Swart Wilcox will present a float based on the city's historic house, said member Tina Morris. The scene on a flatbed will show Henry and Phoebe Wilcox in their living room circa 1900, Morris said. Henry, to be portrayed by William Swain, will be writing in his diary, she said, Phoebe, yet to be cast, will be in a rocking chair.
The house was built by Revolutionary War soldier Lawrence Swart in 1807. Morris said the float will be prepared Saturday with some furniture from the Swart-Wilcox House Museum.
``Hopefully, it won't be raining,'' she said.
No rain was in the forecast for Saturday, according to the National Weather Service on Thursday. The weather will be partly sunny skies with high temperatures around 60 degrees, it reported.
Herrick said the parade would go on in the case of sprinkle or light shower but canceled if weather is severe.
No matter what the weather, water will be tied into the float theme of the Orcas Swim Team of the Oneonta Family YMCA.
``We're making it to look like a swimming pool,'' said Christiana Gomez Frye, aquatics coordinator. The elements will include flags, a pool ladder, an inflatable tube and other equipment, she said.
Students will put the float together Saturday, she said, and will wear swim gear and goggles and blow bubbles as they ride along the route.
``They're very excited about it,'' she said.
