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35th annual Heritage Festival in Massena to feature parade, live entertainment, vendors Saturday

Posted 6/6/14

By MATT LINDSEY MASSENA -- The Greater Massena Chamber of Commerce will host the 35th annual Heritage Festival June 7 featuring a parade, live entertainment and a variety of vendors. The festival’s …

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35th annual Heritage Festival in Massena to feature parade, live entertainment, vendors Saturday

Posted

By MATT LINDSEY

MASSENA -- The Greater Massena Chamber of Commerce will host the 35th annual Heritage Festival June 7 featuring a parade, live entertainment and a variety of vendors.

The festival’s theme will be “ Our North Country Heritage in Sports.”

Although the parade line-up had not been finalized by press time, it will feature honorary co-grand marshal luger Jonny Gustafson who was recently named to the fall 2014 Junior Team for USA Luge.

“It would be tremendous to see all of the kids, teens, adults and even old timers who participate in North Country sports wear their jerseys and march proudly down Main Street during Heritage Festival,” said chamber director Katheen Kelly-Ori.

Parade participants will line up on Water Street between 8:15 and 8:30 a.m. with the parade slated to being at 9 a.m. The parade will proceed from Water Street to Main Street south to Bowers Street, left to Grove Street, before turning right into the Harte Haven Shopping Center and the Massena Arena.

While the chamber’s aim is to celebrate the many successes of North Country sports teams this past year, they also wants to showcase the many levels and vast array of year-round organized and recreational sports available to young and old in the region.

“The greater Massena area as well as the surrounding towns and villages can lay claim to some amazing athletes who grew up here and were involved in school and organized sports programs. For generations sports have provided a very positive influence on our communities,” she said.

According to Kelly-Ori, the idea of a tribute to sports in the North Country was a result of a brainstorming meeting at the chamber offices.

“One of our directors, Sanford T. Cook, the infamous sports broadcaster from WMSA radio, mentioned the many amazing accomplishments of our local athletes and teams in the past year. It seems natural to tip our hats to the numerous athletes and coaches – from amateur to pro and semi-pro, athletic – college, high school or elementary school and the many leagues and leisure and recreational sports,” Kelly-Ori said.

The festival will offer full day of entertainment, food and vendor booths at the Massena Arena following the parade. There will also be face painting and clowns, a silent auction along with many activities inside the arena. A bounce house will be set up and is free for kids under age 12.

This family event features entertainment by local school groups including bands, choruses and demonstrations.

Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for students and children under age five are admitted for free.

Live entertainment includes the Trinity Catholic School, Holy Name of Jesus Academy Chorus, Tap-to-Toe Studio of Dance, Zen Do-Kai Karate School, a magic show by Cubby T. Clown and a kids craft event with the Robert Moses State Park Nature Center.

The parade and vendor show are not limited to sports themed entries. All are welcome.

Space is still available, and to enter your group, vehicle or float, contact 769-3525 or download an entry form at massenachamber.com.

The festival serves as a major fundraiser for the chamber each year.

For general information, contact 769-3525.