News Release Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7/14/2017 12:00:00 AM EASTERN
Updated: 7/14/2017 2:30:50 PM EASTERN
For more information, contact Marion Ciciarelli.
Oswego Health to lead the Harborfest childrens parade and offer activities at Franklin Square

As Oswego Harborfest celebrates its milestone 30th year, Oswego Health, a long-time children’s parade sponsor, will once again lead this popular Friday event and offer free fun games and activities for children once the parade arrives at its destination, Franklin Square.

            Partnering this year with Oswego Health to offer activities at the park are the Oswego YMCA, the Oswego County Health Department, the Oswego County Traffic Safety Council and the Oswego Children’s Board.

The parade has a new start time this year; 10:30 a.m. at Breitbeck Park and will proceed along West Fifth Street to Franklin Square/West Park. Along the route, members of the health system’s Sun Patrol will hand out small bottles of sunscreen. This initiative was undertaken nearly 30 years ago after staff from Oswego Hospital’s emergency room noted that many young children were seeking treatment for severe sunburn during Harborfest.

Once the parade arrives at Franklin Square, there will be a nine-station healthy highway, and children who stop at each station and take part in a designated activity, will be eligible to win a free pedometer, while supplies last.       

Oswego Health will also offer a fun obstacle course using gym equipment from the Oswego YMCA, as well as several free games including a putting green and ball toss, all a part of the health system’s efforts to promote healthy kids.

Among the partners offering activities in the park on July 28th are the Oswego County Traffic Council, which will offer a bike rodeo safety program, the County Health Department will provide information on Lyme disease and ticks; while the YMCA will promote its Harborfest Run, to be held the following day and will assist with the nine healthy highway stations.

Community members who wish to sign up for Oswego Health’s Run for Your Health 5K, event to be held Saturday, August 12 on the campus of The Manor of Seneca Hill, will be able to at the park. The race begins at 8:30 a.m., with a kids fun run at 8 a.m.

For the convenience for breast-feeding mothers, Oswego Health will staff a specially-designed tent, where women can privately breastfeed their baby. Kathy Distin, Oswego Health’s lactation consultant, will be on hand to assist and provide helpful information.

For residents who enjoy listening to classic rock or polka music, Springside at Seneca Hill, an affiliate of Oswego Health, is sponsoring Double V from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., and the Fritz Polka Band, which plays at 1:15 p.m. in Franklin Square.

In addition, the Oswego Health system will provide the necessary medical supplies used throughout the weekend by the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). Local EMTs will have first aid comfort stations located at the various parks and venues being used during the weekend celebration.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—July 13, 2017—photo caption

Oswego Health to Lead Harborfest Children’s Parade; Offer Activities at Franklin Square

In an effort to promote healthy kids, Oswego Health and several organizations are planning fun activities in Franklin Square that will follow the Harborfest Children’s Parade. In the photo seated from left are Amy Murphy, Oswego YMCA Family Director; Brenda LaMay, Oswego Health Director of Community Health Services; Diane Oldenburg, Senior Public Health Educator, Oswego County Health Department; and Jessica McGiff, Oswego County Traffic Safety Board Coordinator. Standing are Lori Greeney, RN,  Oswego Health Educator; Kathy Distin, Oswego Health Lactation Specialist; Sarah Wansink, LPN, Oswego Health Educator; Susan Callaway, Oswego Health Certified Diabetes Educator; and Sonia Robinson, Public Health Educator for the Oswego County Health Department.