July 4th Weekend Events!

Briggs Pool in Wilber Park opens today, Thurs July 2, http://www.oneonta.ny.us/government/departments/recreation.asp

Fri July 3, The Rogers Environmental Education Center in Sherburne begins a summer children's series. Every Friday at 10 a.m. children ages 4 to 10 will meet for fun learning about plants and animals, explore the different habitats at the center, play games, go on discovery walks and more. Children are encouraged to wear boots. Call Rogers Center to register 647-4017. Preregistration is encouraged.

Also Fri, July 3, The Rogers Environmental Education Center presents an Evening Fireflies program at at 8:30 p.m. For info call 674-4017.

Sat July 4 9am-12pm Independence Day at Hanford Mills Museum in East Meredith: Sample ice cream made in an ice cream maker powered by the Mill and frozen with ice from the Winter Ice Harvest. (My family helped to harvest the ice from the Hanford Mills pond last winter!) Enjoy live music by Hilton Kelly and the Sidekicks (noon to 4 pm), see the steam engine run, and explore the working mill (all day). Don't miss the traditional reading of the Declaration of Independence at noon. Kids can bring their poles and try the catch and release fishing derby (starts at 11:00 am and runs through 2:30 pm - prizes given out at 3:00 pm), and families can participate in traditional games and contests, including frog jumping (Bring Your Own Frog), sack races, and tug-o-war. Join a Medicinal and Edible Wild Plant walk at 2:00 pm. Info: (800) 295-4992.

Sat at 11 am Fourth of July parade and celebration in Springfield Center at the Springfield Community Center. Theme to be 'Red, White, Blue and GREEN.

The Polar Bear Homemade Ice Cream Fundraiser is Sat from noon to 8pm at the corner of Main and Grand Streets, Oneonta at the Benson Agency Real Estate & Hughson -Benson Associates parking lot. Bring nonperishable food item and receive free ice cream cone. Other items available for donation. Proceeds to benefit Oneonta Family YMCA, Oneonta Boys & Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, Opportunities for Otsego Food Pantry and St. Mary's Food Pantry.

Let's not forget Oneonta's 4th of July celebrarion, music and fun from noon until fireworks at dusk, Neahwa Park.

Also at Neahwa Park: YMCA presents $2 single rides and $10 wrist band for all day play. Call Oneonta Family YMCA for details 432-0010.

In Neahwa Park at Damaschke Field: Oneonta Tigers vs Aberdeen. Bring a canned good and get a free GA ticket! Gates open at 4:45pm, first pitch is at 6:05. You'll have a great view of the fireworks after the game, Tigers on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oneonta-NY/Oneonta-Tigers/79769022677

Sunday July 5 6:05pm, another Tigers game.

Looking Ahead:

Mon July 6, 7:05pm Tigers game.

Also on Mon, Children aged 8-18 can join a photography scavenger hunt sponsored by the Huntingon Memorial Library. View details at http://www.eventkeeper.com/code/events.cfm?curOrg=4CLS

The Franklin Free Library hosts children's programs every Tuesday at 10 a.m. Topics include Iroquois folklore, Classic and folk dance, Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Uncle Rock, Tour of world music, Children's West African drum and dance troupe, The Little Delaware Players, Irish music, Art of mime, and Annual Book Sale. For schedule and more information cal LIna Burkart 829-2941 or visit www.franklinfreelibrary.org.

Tue July 7, Oneonta World of Learning (OWL) planning meeting, 7pm at the Main View Gallery, Main St. Oneonta, next to the fire station. Call 433-0160 for details.

Wed 8 July, 10am La Leche League breast-feeding information group in Oneonta at the First United Methodist Church, corner of Chestnut and Church streets. Call Kate for into 432-5984.

Thurs 9 July Free Concert in Neahwa Park, featuring Polish Moses, Oneonta 7pm.

Random contest: Nestlé is asking aspiring artists aged 6 to 12 to submit designs for the treat's wrapper. Details at www.scholastic.com/pushupandcreate.