Chemung County and Discover Chemung will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary Saturday, Aug. 22 at Park Station in Erin, and everyone’s invited.
At more than six stories high, the “World’s Largest Rubber Duck” will be the centerpiece of Saturday’s event, which will also include live music and a variety of activities for adults and children, along with a fireworks finale.
The celebration is free to the public and is made possible by support from the New York State 250th Commemoration Commission, Chemung County and Discover Chemung.
“This celebration is really about bringing our community together to celebrate Chemung County,” said Alexis Rolston, manager of tourism for Discover Chemung.
“We wanted to create something free and welcoming for everyone in our community and beyond,” Rolston said. “The World’s Largest Rubber Duck is quite the draw on its own, and we’re excited for all the visitors who will come out to see her. In turn, we hope they fall in love with Park Station Campground, a hidden gem in our county, and come back to visit again and again.”
Park Station will open at 10 a.m. Saturday, and the World’s Largest Rubber Duck will be available for public viewing throughout the weekend.
America 250 event activities, vendors and shuttle service will begin around 4 p.m. The formal program begins at 5:30 p.m. with opening remarks from Chemung County Executive Christopher Moss, followed by the Presentation of Colors by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 803 Honor Guard, and the National Anthem performed by Steven Henshaw.
Suspect will provide live music from 6-9 p.m., with a brief pause at 7:30 p.m. for an America 250 hot dog eating contest sponsored by Wegmans.
Other activities will include face painting, hiking, paddling and fishing opportunities, swimming until 5 p.m., games and family activities, food, drink and snacks, and a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.
C-TRAN will provide free parking shuttle service starting at 4 p.m., helping attendees travel between parking areas and the event grounds.
Park Station will return to normal operations Sunday, Aug. 23, but the World’s Largest Rubber Duck will remain on display from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. that day.
For more information about the celebration, go to ChemungCountyNY.gov/A250.
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: This giant rubber duck is coming to Chemung County this weekend
Reporting by Jeff Murray, Elmira Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jeff Murray, Elmira Star-Gazette | USA TODAY Network
