The opening reception will take place at the Kinney Memorial Library from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, July 12.

"There's a lot of excitement in the air," said librarian Barb Potter. "The floats are going to be great for the parade. Kids are decorating their bikes and everybody is getting ready. The Historical Society has a trolley float."

Potter said she hopes the whole town turns out for the festivities, which are not limited to alumni.

"Some of the Hartwick Bicentennial flags are up. They're gorgeous," Potter said.

The library reception will include a trophy case on display with mementos from the Hartwick High School. A display about Reverend John Christopher Hartwick, town founder, will be on hand. Author Amelia Fuller will be at the library to share ten volumes compiled about the lives of the Hartwick alumni.

"It honestly is good to hear such nice, positive things," said Potter. "I am very pleased with what's going on."

Saturday will be a busy day, beginning at 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a breakfast at the Methodist Church. At 9 a.m., a quilt show will begin at Christian Church and a town wide garage sale will take place.

The parade will begin at 11 a.m. on Main Street, winding toward the old school grounds.

Noon will mark an opening ceremony at the ball field, to be followed by a barbecue presented by the Special Olympics Committee, a classic car show and farmers' market with vendors.

The Alumni Banquet and Meeting will take place at 1 p.m. at the Community Center, with the Weir Fiddlers playing at the ball field and an ice cream social.

A hay ride from the bison ranch will be at 2 p.m., be followed half an hour later by Irish Dancers at the ball field, and at 3:30, the Cloggers will perform in the same place.

Orlo Burch, Lenny Price and BC Stevens will sign books related to the life and times in Hartwick at the Kinney Memorial Library at 4 p.m. A barbecue dinner will follow from 5-8. Boy Scouts will sell drinks and snacks during this time.

The evening will round off with a dance from 7-10 p.m. in the tent at the school grounds.

On Sunday, July 14 at 10:30 a.m., there will be a community church service at the ball field followed by coffee hour and goodbyes.

"All of a sudden, this is becoming a joyful experience," said event organizer Evelina Fuller-Lincoln. "We've been getting lots of feedback. This is a positive thing, and there will be many reunions. I am feeling like it's worth the effort and hope that everyone will turn out."

Fuller-Lincoln said the festivities are creating a sense of community that changed drastically when Hartwick High School merged with Cooperstown.

"This is creating a new spark," she said. "The longevity of commitment of some of these families is amazing. You don't know what you have until you come back to it."