At the Village of Oxford Bicentennial Celebration meeting, January 22nd, Ann Scorza, Oxford Lion, said that the Oxford Lions Club would take responsibility of organizing the Bicentennial parade planned for Saturday, July 26th.
The Oxford Lions Club chose the theme of, "200 Years of Change." Participants will be asked to select a block of 50 years (such as: 1808-1858, the first 50; 1858-1908, the second 50; and so on to the present) for their float to represent.
There will be parade trophies/awards and or cash prizes such as "Best Float". Other awards will depend on entries and may include categories such as "Best Band" and maybe "Best Group Not on a Float".
The parade route will be from the Oxford Academy Primary and High School to the historic Middle School. The discussed parade starting time will be 10 AM. All of these details will be confirmed closer to the parade date.
The Lions are seeking participants, antique cars and tractors, marching bands, and the like. They will be contacting all community schools, organizations (Scouts, FFA, 4-H, Legion, Fire Department, etc.) and businesses to enter a float in the parade representing a 50-year time block. Fred Lanfear, president of the Oxford Historical Society, has offered to gather information and assist the groups with history details for their float.
Lions president, Ron Charles said, "We want to encourage all residents to participate in the parade as well with their own floats or walking groups. Maybe entire streets would get together and enter a float."
For more parade information or to get involved with the Oxford Lions Club, contact Ron Charles at rcharlie2003@yahoo.com or 336-3729, or Debbie Martinson, Parade Committee Chair, at dmartinson@frontiernet.net or 843-6151.
To learn more about the Village of Oxford's celebration plans or share your ideas, the next Bicentennial meeting will be Tuesday, March 18th, 7:30 PM at 6 On The Square. All are welcome.

March 18th meeting update: The Lions announced that they are having a custom "toy" Bicentennial souvenir made by John Knapp, Knapp Knoll Woodworks, of a bluestone hauling wagon. Experimental laser etching "Village of Oxford Bicentennial" on a real piece of bluestone (from Barnes Bluestone) will be done by Lions president, Ron Charles, at Norwich Aero. The finished pieces will be for sale.

April 22nd meeting update:
Bicentennial Parade
Carol Loefstedt has been contacted by Neil Goldeneagle of the Native Indian group- Mother Earth Drum and Singers - who do the Mother Earth Indian Festival in Greene. They will participate in the parade and do a dance. They'll be camping on the park in a teepee.  There will be demonstrations, storytelling, singing, drumming, and some native dancing and they promote Native Indian education.
(To avoid conflicts, a time and place would have to be established for the dance.) Joe told Carol to have them contact the Lions Club.
The Oxford American Legion is looking for members who are unable to walk who can be in a float.
The Chenango County Historical Society's canal boat replica, Lillie will be in the parade. (She even has new tires!) Dignitaries could ride on/in the Lillie.
Anne Jackson was pleased to announce that Janet Seehausen would come back to Oxford (from VT) for the Bicentennial Celebration. As former Mayor, she is one of our visiting dignitaries.
Robbie Ryan will have her horse drawn wagon in the parade and will give rides after the parade, compliments of the Oxford Lions Club, for the Historic Home Tours, Village east and west sides. www.sunnyviewfarm.com/
Put the word out that the Village is interested in riders on horseback for the parade. It was suggested that both Steve Dutcher and Patrick Ryan have mules. Perhaps they would want to ride/walk them in the parade???
Dignitaries will give speeches at the end of the parade on the steps of the Middle School.
Jos. Jefferson Literary Society (the 1st club of Oxford, organized in 1891), The Travelers Book Club (formed in the Fall of 1892), and the East Side Literary Club (formed in 1905) will be in the parade.
Questions: Will the Shriners be in the parade?
Who will be the Parade's Grand Marshall?
Joe mentioned that it would be good for all the service organizations to be well represented in the parade as it might reinforce their positive image and perhaps help get new, younger members interested in joining.

UPDATE:
Equestrians Wanted for Bicentennial Parade

Horses in a parade: the sound of clopping hooves, jangling bells, conchos and silver trim glinting in the sun, manes braided with ribbons and flowers, and riders up high on their mount, proudly prancing is something that everyone always remembers. The Village of Oxford Bicentennial is looking for voluntary participation by riders on horseback to enhance their parade on Saturday, July 26th, at 10 AM. The parade route will be from the Oxford Academy Primary and High School to the historic Middle School. Individuals or riding groups will be welcomed and special arrangements will be made for parking of transportation vehicles at the wastewater treatment plant.
The high intensity parade atmosphere is something horses have to be trained for. Positioning in the parade will be back at the end, away from the noisy fire trucks and other vehicles, but horses and riders should be prepared for the parade experience.
The Village of Oxford hopes that other riders will join in the celebration. For more parade information or to participate in the parade, contact the Oxford Lions Club- Ron Charles, Lions Club President, at rcharlie2003@yahoo.com or 336-3729, or Debbie Martinson, Parade Committee Chair, at dmartinson@frontiernet.net or 843-6151.

UPDATE 6-9-08: Oxford Bicentennial Parade

As coordinators for the Oxford Bicentennial Parade, the Oxford Lions Club is still looking for organizations or groups wishing to participate.  The date for the parade is Saturday, July 26, 2008 and the start time is 10:00am.  Formations will be at the Oxford High School parking lot between 9:00 - 9:30 am.  The Parade will start at the Oxford High School parking lot, travel north on South Washington Street, turn east at LaFayette Park; cross State Highway 12, cross over the Chenango River, turn right at the Oxford Fire Department and end behind the Oxford Middle School.
 
For those organizations entering a float in the parade - the parade will be grouped into four 50-year sections, 1808-1858, 1859-1908, 1909-1958, and 1959-2008. Each section will reflect that era. A flowing 200 year history of Oxford will unfold as the parade passes. Participants will be asked to provide a short introduction for your organization and the float that you are entering in the parade for the emcee to read while you pass through the center of the village. Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of the magnificent display of your hometown history. Of course, there will be room for patriotic floats, marching groups, and performers as well if you choose.

Signed up for the parade is: the American Legion and colorguard, Faith Bible Church, Lions Club, Oxford Youth Center, the 3 area Book Clubs (Jos. Jefferson Literary Society [1891], The Travelers Book Club [1892], and the East Side Literary Club [1905]), CCHS's canal boat "Lillie", Danny Spencer, the Library with Bill Brower (as Theodore Burr), and Nancy Wilcox in period costumes, the Rotary, Civil War reenactors (Beckwiths), Native Indians, Fire Dept, New Police Dodge Durango and the Blueox trucks. Kate Stopper and Francis Wilcox will be directing the Community Band on a flatbed truck. Former Mayor, Janet Seehausen will visit Oxford (from VT) for the Bicentennial Celebration and will ride in the parade. Tom Emerson will emcee to announce floats, bands, businesses and others and dignitaries will give speeches at the end of the parade on the steps of the Middle School. The Lions Club have sponsored a Dixieland Band, featuring Bob Arnell, who will play in the Village, and they've sponsored Robbie Ryan to drive her horse and wagon. Robbie will stay a couple of hours after the parade is over to give free rides around the historic Village.

There will be an informational meeting for all parade participants on Tuesday, July 15th, 7:00 pm at Six On The Square (LaFayette Park in Oxford). This meeting will share details of the parade, firm up any special needs, and provide an opportunity for participants to ask questions.

Anyone wishing to display their community spirit by participating in the Oxford Bicentennial Parade is requested to contact Debbie Martinson at 607-843-6151 or Ron Charles 607-336-3729.

UPDATE 6-9-08: Blueox Primary Sponsor and NBT Bank Major Contributor For Bicentennial Parade

The Oxford Lions Club is pleased to announce that Blueox will sponsor the Oxford Bicentennial Parade.  In the 1940's George Paye of Oxford, NY, started a successful coal business serving the local area.  As the business grew and the transition from coal to fuel was starting to move forward, Ken Thompson, purchased the business and renamed it Thompson Fuel Service.

In the 1950's and through the 1960's Thompson Fuel Service supplied the local area with fuel oil, kerosene and coal.

In 1965 David L. Emerson, of Oxford, who at the time owned Emerson Company Heating, Plumbing & Hardware, bought Thompson Fuel.  Being a man of strong business character and family values, David L. incorporated these beliefs into the very foundation that still serves Blueox today.  

The 1980's was a time of expansion as Thompson Fuel bought three locations one each in Binghamton, NY, Hamilton, NY and Norwich, NY.  With the expansion into these territories, Thompson Fuel started to grow its bulk transportation fleet. The 1980's also saw the expansion into the convenience store business with Nice N Easy Grocery Shopps.  In 1984 the name was changed from Thompson Fuel to Blueox Corporation.

Today, Blueox continues to grow by offering many products & services to an ever expanding market in the Southern Tier region and Central New York.  Their goal today is no different from the goals David L. Emerson instilled in the 1960's: strong business character and family first.

The Oxford Lions Club is also pleased to announce that the National Bank of Oxford is a major contributor to the Oxford Bicentennial Parade. The First National Bank of Oxford was established in February, 1864. James W. Clarke was the organizer and first president. The bank opened for business February 13, 1864, and took up quarters on the second floor of the Clarke block, while the Navy Island location was being prepared for its reception, to which it removed within a few weeks from the organization. In 1894 a new building (now the Village Offices) on the corner of LaFayette Park and Canal Street (State Route 12) was erected from a Richardson Romanesque Isaac Perry design with facings of bluestone from the Oxford quarries. The faces on either side of the balcony demonstrate the stone cutter's art. The face with the wart on its nose was carved by Theodore Wands, the other by a Mr. Conroy.

NBT Bank acquired the National Bank of Oxford in 1984. Today, housed in the Mirabito-Quickway building, NBT Bank of Oxford continues to serve and support the community.  Oxford branch manager Tahitian Finch said, "NBT Bank has been committed to the Oxford community for nearly a quarter of a century, and we look forward to being here for many more years."

The Oxford Lions Club has also received some anonymous grant money for the parade.

Below are all the articles in this section
Celebration Of Agriculture	Early Living Fair
Fire Department Events	First Meeting
Garden Club	Historic Hikes
Historic Houses	Library Plans
Lions Parade	Old Home Week
Old Home Week Schedule	Place In History
Readers Theater	Reenactments
Reunion Block Party	Six On The Square
Sun Coverage	West Point Band Concert