BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

OGDENSBURG — Ogdensburg International Seaway Festival kicks off July 19 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. 

Events will kick off July 19 with a Movie Night in the Library Park featuring “Toy Story.”

Competition gets fierce the following day at 8 a.m. on July 20 at the annual pickleball tournament at Greenbelt Park Courts.

Then the best river run in the county takes place when the Rip Friot/Remington Canoe Race launches at 9 a.m. from the Heuvelton Boat Launch.

Kid's Fishing Derby on the Oswegatchie River casts off starting at 9:30 a.m. and for the sippers and craft shoppers the annual Summer Arts, Wine and Craft Show begins at 10 a.m. at Lockwood Arena.

Firefighter Kid's Games start in Library Park at noon.

Later on that evening the band Atom Ghost gets things rocking in the part at 6 p.m. 

The Pickleball Tournament continues July 21 at 8 a.m. in the Greenbelt Park Courts.

At the sametime the Sandbar Classic Fishing Derby throws out the first lines at Hosmer’s Marina. 

The Oswegatchie Golf Challenge tees off in Trafalger Park at 10 a.m. 

Later that night the annual Battle of the Bands gets started at the OFA Athletic Facility at 6 p.m. 

On Monday, July 22, Seawayfest continues at 6 p.m. with an Ogdensburg Dance Center Performance on the Main Stage in Library Park.

On Tuesday, July 23 at 6 p.m. Don Swan the Hypnotist will amaze audience members at OFA Auditorium.

The Classic Car Cruise will roll into Library Park on Wednesday, July 24 at 6 p.m. Also at 6 p.m. will be a performance in the park gazebo by the Elderly Brothers Band. 

The Seaway Festival 5K Race will step off at Maple City Trail at 6:30 p.m. 

On Thursday, July 25, a dunk booth will be set up in library park at 5:30 p.m. Jaynie Trudell will perform in the gazebo at 6 .

The Seawayfest concerts in the park continue on Friday, July 26 with a performance by Shandi Gardner on the main stage in Library Park. Dawn and Dave Merz will provide music at 5 p.m. from the gazebo. 

There will be train rides from 5-10 p.m. near the Dobisky Center. 

The band Common Revolution will perform on the library park Main Stage at 7 p.m. 

The night caps off with the annual Fireworks Spectacular at 7 p.m. 

The Seaway Festival Parade will step off on July 27 at 11 a.m. on Ford Street. 

The final day of the festival, July 28, gets started at 9 a.m. with a Seaway Cruisers car show at Fort de la Presentation at 9 a.m. 

A craft and farmers market will be held on city property at Lighthouse Point at 11 a.m. 

The duck race will be held at Ogdensburg City Pool at 11 a.m.

The petting zoo will be set up at Lighthouse Point at noon. 

The battle for the strongest team starts at noon at the volleyball court when the Tug of War ensues. 

The Ogdensburg Moose Lodge will host a cornhole tournament at 1 p.m. 

Finally the annual Seaway Festival 3-On-3 Basketball Tournament at Morrisette Park will start at 2 p.m. 

 For more information about events, volunteering or sponsorship opportunities visit www.ogdensburgseawayfestival.org .