New events added to Mayor's Cup schedule
They believe that so much, in fact, that they will be using an actual bus in a new and challenging event.
"This is something new and different that we think will be a lot of fun," Sandra Geddes, promotions and special events coordinator for the City of Plattsburgh, said at a news conference unveiling the Sunrise Rotary's Mayor's Cup schedule for July 7 to 10.
The Novabus Bus Pull - Pulling For Plattsburgh will feature teams of six actually pulling a 20-ton bus 100 feet down City Hall Place. The fastest to navigate the course wins.
The bus for the competition will be supplied by Novabus, which manufactures public-transportation vehicles for metropolitan areas across the country.
"Novabus does a lot for the community, and they were looking for a way to form a partnership with the city, and this is a great way for them to help out with a great event and for them to be visible in the community," Geddes said.
The bus pull will have teams in three divisions: male, female and co-ed.
Each competitor will pull on ropes that are tethered to the front of the bus. A driver will behind the steering wheel to hit the brakes if necessary.
BOAT PARADE OF LIGHTS
The 39th Mayor's Cup will once again be kick-started by the Boat Parade of Lights from Wilcox Dock to the City Marina at Dock Street Landing, set for the evening of Thursday, July 7.
Boat Parade organizer Richard Jarrette expects about 40 to 50 entries again this year.
"The parade is a great complement to the landlubber activities and a great way to kick of the Mayor's Cup experience," he said.
FIREWORKS, RACE
A wide variety of food, music and children's activities will be held at several venues downtown, including Trinity Park, City Hall Place and the new marina.
The annual fireworks show will also be held downtown, on Saturday, July 9, around 9:30 p.m.
The sailboat race itself will start at 10 a.m. that Saturday, with the course set up in Plattsburgh Bay so people can view the action from the shore.
'SIGNATURE EVENT'
"When you look at what an authentic downtown does in an urban-rural area, it is a place where things happen, and it is a place of activity that serves the region," Mayor James Calnon said.
"This is a signature event that brings people into the city, and for people who live here, they want things to do, and that is why we are involved."
A barbecue and the Mayor's Cup awards will be held at the Naked Turtle restaurant from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 9.
T-shirts for this year's event will be available on the website. The design, created by local artist Katie Jeanette-Caska, is a colorful depiction of the event logo with an array of explosions in honor of the popular fireworks display.
Musical events this year will feature the Stowaways, In Ca Hoots, Infamous Blues Band, All Without the Bass and the Rick Alviti Show, an Elvis Presley impersonator.
DOWNTOWN RISING
Downtown Rising, to be held in Trinity Park on Friday afternoons this summer and featuring local foods, beverages, crafts and music, will also make an appearance for the first time at Mayor's Cup, from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 8.
"There truly is something for everyone at this year's Mayor's Cup," event organizer Joanne Dahlen said.
"We are thrilled about that because we are touching every demographic, and it truly is a community event."
LEARN MORE
Information about how to enter a team in the Nova Bus Bus Pull can be found at: mayorscup.com.
That site also provides information about the myriad of other events planned for the four-day festival.
http://bit.ly/2fyoMo8