BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

OGDENSBURG — Ogdensburg International Seaway Festival kicks off July 20 and runs through July 28 with music, games and tournaments planned throughout the week.

A fireworks display co-sponsored by NorthStar Alliance and Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center and the annual parade will serve as the festival’s finale, but organizers have also added a pickleball tournament to complement the three on three basketball tournament which debuted last year.

Pickleball is a big thing right now and there is a lot of interest, organizer Chris Lalone said.

“We’ve got between 40 and 60 people signed up for it,” he said. Lalone said if signups continue they may need to host an additional day of games.

As the city's largest event of the year kicks off visitors can also expect old favorites like the Battle of the Bands, firefighter kids games, parade and fireworks.

The event traditionally draws hundreds from around the county and across the border to the small city and has long served as the city’s homecoming where many who moved away visit to enjoy the events with relatives and friends.

Lalone says the committee is always working to make things bigger and better, but to continue growing the event they need public support in both donations and volunteers. He and others on the Seaway Festival committee have grown and bolstered events like RiverFest and craft fairs to help offset the costs associated with the festival.

Anyone looking to support the event can offer time or donations, but other ways to help include purchasing merchandise.

He said buttons and t-shirts are still available at locations throughout the city including Community Bank, St. Lawrence Federal Credit Union and Ed-Med FCU. Larger sizes available at River Rat Designs.

They can also be purchased online at https://www.ogdensburgseawayfestival.org/merchandise/ Special orders for hoodies and tanktops are also available.

Lalone said this year’s button blitz was extremely successful and buttons will be available throughout the festival. Duck Race tickets are also still available.

Although at this time carnival rides are not expected to return, he said there has been a long and continued effort to bring them back. Still the festival has a lot to offer. 

A classic car show, live music at library park, tug of war contests, a 10-mile canoe race, and a 5k foot race are all on the menu. Lalone said a bounce house will be available the night of the fireworks down by the library at  low cost.

Also returning is the craft show at Lockwood Arena, the Sandbar Classic and a petting zoo.

Lalone offered appreciation to all the sponsors who have helped make the event possible and encouraged the community to come out and support the event.

Anyone looking to make a donation or volunteer can contact Chris Cole 315-393-3518.