OWASCO - Over the past 42 years the Owasco Fourth of July Field Day has been a tradition that is much anticipated in the community.

Hundreds of onlookers lined the streets Saturday morning as the annual parade left Sacred Heart Church and traveled down Second Avenue, Owasco Road and coming at an end at the Owasco Fire Department.

“I grew up in Owasco,” said Donna Kennedy-Tumber. “I wouldn't miss this for anything. I am just a little kid at heart. I love a parade, because it lets you feel like a little kid again.”

Following the parade, community members were invited to spend the afternoon celebrating with friends with a chicken barbecue, also put on by the Owasco Fire Department, and many other activities held by various organizations.

“It really is a day to celebrate your community,” said Owasco Fire Department vice president, and chairman of the Owasco Field Day committee, Mike Nye. “Just to come out and enjoy yourself. See friends that you haven't seen in a while.”

Nye said that the event has become a tradition that continues to bring the community together even through hard economic times.

“It is just a great way to spend the holiday close to home,” he said. “You can forget about the economy and just have a good time.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Bob Bachta, who said that he could remember a time many years ago when the parade and field day was the place to be.

Bachta, is a member of the Prison City Party Rockers who provided the music for the afternoon festivities.

“Years ago this event drew a lot more people,” he said. “It seemed as though the whole county were here. That is why our band enjoys playing here. We want to help bring that sense of community back.”

From games of chance, a bounce house for the kids, and all the typical field day foods that anyone could want the event drew hundreds.

For Hallie Garropy, 10, the afternoon of festivities is a favorite before she and her family head over to her grandparents' house for a family barbecue.

“The parade is really fun,” she said. “I like the bands and the other things. But my favorite is when they fire the shots. That is really neat.”

Garropy's mother, Jackie Scholz, said that it has been a tradition to attend the parade before heading out to the family barbecue for many years.

“We come to the parade and then we go and get our fried dough,” she said. “It is also a tradition to dress the girls alike.”

Garropy, and her two sisters wore identical sun dresses.

The annual field day is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Owasco Fire Department, and the proceeds will be used to purchase and upgrade various equipment.