Ogdensburg celebrates party of the century

OGDENSBURG — The last full day of summer offered sunny skies and a crisp breeze as Ogdensburg residents gathered along Main Street.

Along with area friends, sponsors and vendors, the borough put on an all-day party and provided family fun few will soon forget.

The day's official festivities kicked off at noon, with former Ogdensburg Mayor Patrick Fitzgibbons presiding over the parade and sharing historical facts with the crowd. Some were surprised to learn "The Great Train Robbery" — Thomas Edison's first "motion picture" — was filmed in and around what today is Ogdensburg and the Sterling Mine.

Applause broke out as Mayor Steve Ciasullo and the Ogdensburg Township Council walked alongside U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, state Sen. Steven Aroho, and Assemblywoman Allison Littell McHose and Assemblyman Parker Space.

Townspeople turned out in droves for the event, which was centered near the ball field on Main Street, but at times stretched across the small town.

Wasco Hadowanetz, one of two Grand Marshalls at the celebration, a board member of the Ogdensburg Historical Society, and a lifelong resident, has been around for 84 of Ogdensburg’s years.

“My father worked for 35 years in the mine,” says Hadowanetz, speaking of the nearby Sterling Hill mine. “When I was young, Ogdensburg was mostly a farming and mining town. It was and still is a close-knit community, with people from at least 20 ethnic backgrounds. I remember riding sleds down these hills. In those days the kids would go outside all day and just come home for supper.”

Many attendees recalled pleasant childhoods in town. Jo Phillips, a former resident, spent many happy years in Ogdensburg and attended the event with her sister Theresa, who remains a resident.

“I think it’s great,” she exclaimed about the centennial, “It’s a nice turnout and very nice weather.”

She remarked that Patricia Dolan, the second Grand Marshall, had been her principal in grammar school.

“I grew up here in the early 60s,” said Phillips. “We were all like a family. There was one guy called Ace who was the ‘Fonzie’ of the town,” she recalled, referring to the kind-hearted tough guy from the television series Happy Days. “He was kind of our protector.” One of Ace’s duties apparently was to inform out-of-town boys that they had better look elsewhere for girlfriends.

The celebration started at 8 a.m. with a children’s fishing contest at nearby Heater’s Pond, followed by a parade at noon. Free community activities were available all day.

“There’s a lot here,” said Kathi Mannion, Owner of Mannion’s Wine & Liquors on Main Street. “There’s a rock-climbing wall, a mechanical bull, bouncy houses and all kinds of things.”

Food and a beer garden provided sustenance, and live bands kept spirits raised. The Old Schoolhouse and Firehouse Museum was open in the morning and afternoon, and a fireworks display rounded out the evening.

Council Member George Hutnick echoed the sentiments of others in the crowd.

"This is really what it's all about for us," he said. "Coming together as a community, everyone having a good time. The parade encompassed every group in the town as well as our neighbors and friends. It's really a great day for Ogdensburg."