The 2025 Family Day Celebration in the Village of Horseheads will be a little extra special this year.
While the event will boast all the usual attractions, the village will also be formally unveiling its new playground equipment at Thorne Street Park.
“The main structure is new. We have a (age) 5-12 structure, a 2-5 structure and two new swing sets,” said Nathan Nagle, village Parks and Recreation Director. “We still have a swing set, monkey bars and the old train climbing structure still there.”
The public is invited to attend a special ribbon cutting ceremony highlighting the newly installed playground equipment at the park Saturday, July 12 at 4 p.m. The event will officially kick off the 2025 Family Day Celebration, the village’s premiere summer gathering.
Inflatable play areas and food vendors will be on hand at the park from 4-8 p.m., with live music by Still Kickin’ from 7-9 p.m. A Free Family Swim at the pool is also scheduled from noon to 7 p.m.
A fireworks display will light up the sky around 9:30 p.m. to end the day with a bang.
The village paid for the playground project using federal dollars allocated in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Nagle said the old centerpiece at the playground was falling into disrepair and required regular maintenance.
“The playground upgrade at Thorne Street Park is part of the Board of Trustees’ ongoing strategic plan to improve quality of life and enhance recreational infrastructure across the Village,” Horseheads mayor Kevin Adams said in a release.
Adams, village trustees, and Parks Department officials will lead the ceremony on Saturday.
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Horseheads to unveil new playground equipment July 12 during Family Day Celebration
Reporting by Chris Potter, Elmira Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
