By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG -- Breaking a long tradition, the Ogdensburg Seaway Festival will not include its traditional mechanical fair rides, but organizers say they may return next year.

Seaway Valley Jumpers will provide this year’s entertainment. The local company provides inflatable bounce houses, slides and other children’s attractions.

Parade organizer Michael Cole said the change was not intentional.

It stems from the retirement of the owner of Ontario Amusement, who has traditionally provided the fair rides, Cole said.

“Unfortunately we weren’t able to contract with our friend due to a retirement,” he said.

The good news is that fair rides may not be gone for good. Cole says he is hopeful they will return in 2016.

“I believe that the traditional fair rides will return. We got hit with the news of his retirement very late and the time frame was too short for us to recover, but I anticipate we will probably have them back in the following years," Cole said.

Ontario Amusement also provides rides for the St. Lawrence County Fair, which has been pushed back a week from its traditional time.

For more information on the Seaway Festival and a list of the events, see story.