to fireworks for next year

SPRINGFIELD - The 90th Annual Fourth of July parade in Springfield will be one of the highlights of this holiday weekend. Festivities will be held on Monday, July 5.

Springfield resident George Rutler said it had only been interrupted twice throughout the years- once for World War II and once because of torrential weather.

The parade begins at 11 a.m. and Rutler said they normally see 70 to 80 participants in the parade.

"It's the one day of the year we have literally thousands of people in our little town," said Susan Hargrove, a member of the Greater Springfield Merchants Association.

The Springfield Boy Scouts, Troop 47, are well on their way to creating a commemorative wall to display during the July Fourth parade. The plywood wall will be decorated with names of individuals, past and present, within the Cherry Valley-Springfield school district, who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Each name will be separated with a gold star, just like the wall in Washington D.C., said Leigh Ainslie, committee chairperson.

The float will signify the theme of the parade- "duty, honor and courage," she said recently.

"There are nights when we've worked on it for quite a while," said Kristie Fassett, a troop parent and committee member.

She estimated the troop has printed approximately 850 names on the wall.

"We've added an awful lot to it," said Ainslie.

It will be displayed on a wagon to be driven during the parade along with flags from different military services and members of the military to accompany it, she said.

After the parade, the wall will be on display all day at the community center for people to view.

At noon, Brook's Chicken Barbecue dinners will be sold and the Cooperstown Community Band will perform. Tickets for the barbecue go on sale at 9:30 a.m. Whole dinners are $8 and half chickens are $4.50.

The Grand Marshal will be William "Chic" Gerhartz, said DeAnne Jungkind, committee chairman for the barbecue.

Gerhartz joined the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII, she said. After the war he came to live and work in Springfield, serving in the Springfield Fire Department in 1948- 23 of those years he served as chief. He also was a member of the Otsego County Fire Advisory Board.

"It is appropriate to pay tribute to an individual we're all proud to know and who embodies our theme this year: Duty, Honor and Courage," said Jungkind.

Visitors can also participate in a flea market and purchase food by local non-profit organizations, she said. Games will be available for the younger members of the crowd.

But it doesn't stop there. The Greater Springfield Merchants Association will present their first Community Block Party after the parade at the Springfield Community Center from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Food will be sold by the members of the Merchants Association. The menu includes hamburgers, sausage, onions, and peppers, and white and chocolate milk.

Fritz Henry DJ will be playing from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and DJ Corey Yerdon of CYCD Entertainment will have Kareoke from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., said Joy White, committee member for the Merchants Association. Activities also include face painting, hair braiding, kids games, and prizes.

"We are looking for people to come and enjoy the festivities. It should be a good time for the whole family," she said.

Proceeds will go to help fund the First Annual 2005 Fireworks in Springfield. Association Member Susan Hargrove said it was uncertain at this point whether the town will allow them to hold fireworks on town property. In the event that it wouldn't be allowed, Hargrove said they may have an individual who would allow the fireworks to take place on their property.

It was estimated that they needed to raise $5,000 to $7,000 for "really nice" fireworks, she said. They are currently accepting donations to achieve their goal. Thus far, they have received $500 from Bill Miller, Brookfield developer, she said.

The Association, which was created in March by Bruce and Susan Hargrove, owners of the KC's Restaurant and Motel, is comprised of local merchants, said White.

Hargrove said they meet the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the community center with the purpose of promoting the community.

"Our mission is the creation of a positive image for the business community of the Greater Springfield area and the enhancement of its economic vitality," White said.

According to White, the Association's goals are: to establish a comprehensive plan for marketing, promotion, public relations and service to the community; to sponsor or participate with other individuals and organizations for local events intended to expand and optimize the local tourist industry; and to promote a better understanding of the respective needs of the business community and the community at large.

The Merchants Association has also been designing an informational booth to be placed at the Springfield Car Wash to list local opportunities.

Anyone wishing to donate money towards the future fireworks or to volunteer for activities this weekend, can contact Susan Hargrove at 264-8246, or Patsy Beebe at Performance Recreation at 264-3155.

Other events this weekend include fireworks at Cooperstown's Lakefront Park by American Fireworks of Utica on July 3, accompanied by a concession stand by the Cooperstown Rotary Club.

The rain date for the fireworks will be July 5th.