Oneonta celebrates traditions on July 4th

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July 5, 2012

Oneonta celebrates traditions on July 4th

By Charlie M. Holmes Contributing Writer The Daily Star Thu Jul 05, 2012, 03:30 AM EDT

It's been happening in the United States since July 8, 1776 _ a public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Col. John Nixon was the first one to do it, and Wednesday Ernie Thompson of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 200 in Oneonta kept the tradition alive by reciting the document to the throng of people gathered in Neahwa Park for the Hometown 4th of July and Hills Afire Music Festival.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness," Thompson proclaimed.

The crowd in Neahwa Park was more than ready to exercise those rights, especially the part about the pursuit of happiness, and the Hometown 4th of July and Hills Afire Music Festival was ready to give them a true American experience.

Baseball: What's better than a baseball game on a warm summer night? Getting into the game for free, and that's what more than 4,000 fans got to experience courtesy of the Oneonta Outlaws.

The team took on the Glens Falls Golden Eagles. The Outlaws lost, 9-5.

Hot dogs: "I'm enjoying this great hot dog," state Sen. James Seward, R-Milford, said as he sat under the Five Star Subaru canopy near the main stage. "What's more American than a hot dog?

"This is a great opportunity for the nonprofits and other organizations to fundraise. It also gives them a chance to showcase what they do, you know, to contribute to the area as well. It's just all around a great way to celebrate the Fourth of July."

Apple Pie: The freshest food anyone can get comes from local farmers, such as the vendors who participate in the Oneonta Farmers' Market.

This was the first year that the farmers participated in the July Fourth festivities. The general consensus was that they were all pleased to be included in the event and were looking forward to coming back again. Among the vendors participating was Willy Bruneau, the owner of Middlefield Orchard.

Bruneau said he would have apple pies later in the season, but right now the orchard was offering up apple turnovers, dried apples and applesauce.

Red: The Little Red Caboose was the place to be for music lovers and history buffs. Bernd Neumann and Wes St. Onge were on hand at the Traditional Jam Tent located just behind the caboose, and the Greater Oneonta Historical Society was stationed in front. GOHS volunteer Karen Anderson was handing out fliers to anyone interested in educating themselves about the history behind the monuments located within the park.

White: Although the white feathered head of Valdessa, one of the Binghamton Zoo's bald eagles, was nowhere to be seen, Gaynele Gauvin, one of the zoo's docents, and Falkor, a bearded dragon, were taking in the sites around the Zoomobile. Doug Barrett was taking in Falkor.

"I think it's cool," Barrett said referring to Falkor. "They've added a lot of new things."

Barrett and his wife, Sue, agreed they were pleased with all the new attractions.

Blue: Dark blue skies provided the perfect background for the 400-shell fireworks display sponsored by Five Star Subaru that capped off the night.

"I can't wait until next year," said Ben Guenther, co-owner of Five Star Subaru, sponsor of the fireworks. "Because now everybody's got these great ideas, and everybody's fresh on it. I think next year will be even bigger and better."