Groton Olde Home Days features rodeo this year

It’s always just a bit sad to see summer winding down for another year – at least for many in our area – but the highlight of August in Groton, and the thing that can give one that “summer’s not over yet” feeling is its three-day event, Groton Olde Home Days (GOHD).  

While there are many fun, interesting, or entertaining events in our town throughout the year, GOHD seems to be the one anticipated most by children and adults alike. As always, the offerings for everyone of every age will not disappoint, thanks to this year’s organizers Flo Allen, Angela Conger, and Nancy Niswender.  

The festivities will begin with the opening of the Playland Amusements Carnival Midway at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24 at the Express Mart lot. The carnival fun will open again at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, and at 12 noon on Saturday, Aug. 26 with rides, games, and classic carnival food.  

Headlining the fun-filled activity list is something Groton has never seen here before, and that is Southern Soul Productions’ Battle of the Beasts rodeo! Two action-packed nights of professional bull riding, the biggest paying mutton bustin’ east of the Mississippi, with a $1,000 prize and championship buckle for the winner (age limit seven years old or younger and less than 60 pounds), the famous Colt 45 rodeo clown,  

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this rodeo is that its owner is Dennis Rossignol, who is a Groton native. His story may be found in the January 25, 2023 edition of this column.  

“They say no dream’s too big if you’re willing to work hard enough”, Rossignol said. “I’ve had a dream for almost two decades to bring a great bull riding event to my hometown and with the help of a host of amazing people we are just over a week away. I couldn’t be more excited for the Groton Olde Home Days Battle of the Beasts! Not only bringing professional bull riding to the festival, but also one of the biggest paying mutton busting on the east coast. I’m probably most excited about one youngster holding that huge check for $1,000 and a beautiful championship buckle. Life is about the memories we make, and I hope this is going to be a memorable one for everyone who attends. With top bull riders, trick riding, mutton bustin’, Colt 45 Rodeo Entertainer and much more it’s a show not to be missed!” 

There is a $20 entry fee for the mutton bustin’ and qualifying takes place at 1 p.m. Saturday. The top 10 will perform at the rodeo that night.  

Gates will open on Main Street on the site of the future new municipal building at 5:30 p.m. and the rodeo will take place at 8 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. Adult tickets are $15 pre-sale or $20 at the gate. Prices for children aged six to 12 are $10 pre-sale and $15 at the gate. Children five and under may attend for free. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased at myticketfox.com.  

The Groton Fire Department grand parade will step off from East Cortland Street and turn at Main Street at 6 p.m. Saturday. 

Marchers, floats, veterans’ organizations, antique and classic autos and tractors, horses and wagons, and more average around 150 units – the largest parade in our region! It also features the Pittsford Fire Department Marching Band, an old-time traditional firefighters’ band from Monroe County, which is 40 members strong. They will also perform after the parade at the American Legion.   

“This parade stretches back to the 1890s and has been a focal point of GOHD since its inception”, Lee Shurtleff, the parade’s organizer and District 9 Tompkins County legislator said. “It’s a proud, fun community tradition we’re honored to carry on with flavors of local life (businesses, sports, churches, youth groups) , rural (agriculture), community service and fun. You get a sense of the wide range of interests and hobbies our neighbors enjoy. Participants span all age groups. It’s a great way to see what this wonderful community is all about!” 

The Cortland Old Timers Band will play behind the Groton American Legion Post 800 at 6:30 p.m. Friday, followed by John & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, sponsored by Tompkins-Cortland Real Estate. On Saturday evening, Chris Taylor & The Custom Taylor Band, sponsored by the First National Bank of Groton, will be playing.  

The usual plethora of food and beverages will be available on Friday and Saturday, with more vendors than ever before, including food trucks. 

On Saturday, The Groton Historical Association annual “Crafts & Collectibles” show will be at the Town Barn on Conger Boulevard from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free pony rides and a petting zoo right across the street, sponsored by the Town of Groton. 

The annual Groton Cruisers Car Club car show will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday on Conger Boulevard, along with free family fun all day such as Sir James, the FFA tractor show, and Paw Patrol.  

The annual Groton Art Show will be at the Groton American Legion. Drop off and registration of art pieces will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and the opening gala will be on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. The actual art show will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. For more information, contact Marian Davie (607) 279-6676. 

Visit grotonoldehomedays.com or email grotonoldhomedays@gmail.com for overall event questions, and don’t miss this wonderful Groton tradition!  

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at (607) 227-4922.  

In brief: 

Library events 

The Groton Public Library (GPL) has some special programs to catch before school begins in September! 

The SPCA will be visiting GPL for a free animal-themed story time with kitties! Bring along your favorite stuffed animal to listen along. The book “Gizmo’s Pawesome” will be read. The SPCA is always looking for donations and has given the staff at GPL a list of their top ten used items. 

Japanese Fish Printing Workshop at 12 noon Saturday, Aug. 19. Carol Hockett returns to teach Japanese fish printing and attendees can make their own prints and haikus. Registration is not required, but by emailing director@grotonpubliclibrary.org, you can help to ensure you have supplies provided and to reserve your spot.  

Learn about the Erie Canal with a presentation by Derrick Pratt who works at the Erie Canal Museum at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23.
Local author, Sue Heavenrich, will be coming to the GPL to read her book “The Pie That Molly Grew” at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24. There will also be an origami craft for all the kids to create a seed packet. Registration is recommended. Please email director@grotonpubliclibrary.org to sign-up. 

Kids Farmers Market  There are only two Mondays left to take advantage of the Kids Farmers Market at the Groton Public Library – Aug. 21 and 28 from 2 to 8 p.m. A weekly delivery of produce from the Food Bank of the Southern Tier specifically for kids to take from is available and there are also some classes for learning how to cook with the vegetables that are given. In the fall, once school starts, GPL will host the Kids Farmers Market once a month. As always, contact director@grotonpubliclibrary.org for more information.