Fun for all ages at Otter Lake Days

By Rosemary Arnholt
Posted Thursday, July 3, 2008

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By Rosemary Arnholt
VIEW News Editor
OTTER LAKE — Time it right and you can hit the North Branch and/or Hadley parades before entering this small, neat village for the annual Fourth of July parade at 3 p.m. with a lineup at 2 p.m.

But the fun starts early on Friday, July 4 with a pancake breakfast hosted by the VFW from 8-11 a.m., followed by the Open Air Market at 10 a.m. Food, fun and games take place in and around the park all day. The local Honored Citizen will be announced at 3:30 p.m.; a 50/50 drawing at 7 p.m. and fireworks at dusk. Tommy Rivera and the Rhythm Benders entertain from 2-6 p.m., and the Saucecats will provide the entertainment from 6 p.m. until the fireworks.

For the most part, activities are sponsored by the volunteers of the Otter Lake Fire Department. Concessions are their major fundraiser. The fireworks were financed by a “generous donor,” said Helen Clark, Citizens of Otter Lake (COOL) committee member,

Saturday, July 5 dawns with a fishing contest from 6 a.m.-noon and another VFW pancake breakfast from 8-11 a.m. Kids of all ages are then welcome to cheer on their favorites in Turtle Olympics; frog-jumping contest, chalk art, Little Ladies and Gents and basketball, all happening between 10 a.m.-1 p.m. A Chinese auction is from 1-3 p.m.

Afternoon activities include Hula Hoops and Teddy Bear Walk, 1:30 p.m.; pie eating contest at 2 p.m.; Ice Cream Social at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 2-6 p.m.; Kiddie Parade, 3 p.m.; Happy Wanderers banjo, 4-6 p.m., Ugly Dog contest, 4 p.m. raffle drawing for a pair of bicycles; 5 p.m.; Ron & Trish, entertainers 6-8 p.m.; Euchre Tournament, 7 p.m. Parade of Boats, 8 p.m. the popular Rev. Right Time and the First Cuzins of Funk onstage from 8-11 p.m. and 50/50 drawing at 9 p.m.

Begin Sunday, July 6, with an ecumenical service in the park at 8 a.m., followed by a continental breakfast at 9 a.m. Kids can enjoy free games starting at 11 a.m. followed by a Pig Roast at 3 p.m., hosted by the LakeVille Adopt-a-Family charity group. A pie auction is also set for 3 p.m.