Oswego’s 2021 Harborfest is canceled

 OSWEGO, N.Y.– For the second consecutive year, officials have announced that Oswego’s Harborfest is canceled.

The cancelation of Harborfest comes as a major disappointment to community members and local businesses that look forward to the event every year. 

After assessing the required COVID-19 safety protocols, the Board of Directors felt it would be impossible to host the festival by this July. 

The news comes after Governor Cuomo’s announcement that the NY State Fair would open with restrictions, such as every single point of entry only allowing 50% of capacity and requiring social distancing and masks. 

“Harborfest wouldn’t be able to do those types of things. We operate out of multiple venues, none of which have a single point of entry. It would be nearly impossible for us to control crowd size, and social distancing and the wearing of masks. Since we wouldn’t be able to safely have a festival, we would rather not have it all,” said Harborfest Executive Director Peter Myles. 

For over 30 years, Harborfest has brought in a crowd of approximately 75,000 people on an annual basis. Not only do the Oswego residents enjoy, but people from all across the country visit for the free concerts, food vendors, and a number of other activities.  

While the Board of Directors are hopeful for a 2022 festival, Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow has decided to step in and host a downtown block party for Oswego residents. The block party is set to be held on Sunday, July 4th.   with a fireworks display over the oswego river. 

The city’s downtown block party will feature concert performances by local musicians including the Long Time Coming rock band and singer John McConnell live on West First Street. 

With vaccination rollouts continuing to be successful, the city of Oswego looks forward to a time when the community will get back to enjoying Harborfest.