MAYOR AMY B. SHERBURNE EXTENDS GRATITUDE TO THE CITY OF OLEAN FOR A TRIUMPHANT WEEKEND OF SUMMER FESTIVITIES
- Jul 9
- 4 min read
Mayor Amy B. Sherburne is thrilled to extend her deepest gratitude to the entire Olean community, the City of Olean employees, local organizations and volunteers for an unforgettable and spectacular multi-day July 4th weekend of events. Introduced back in February, this major initiative was launched by the current administration and a dedicated group of organizers with a clear vision, to reenergize downtown Olean, bring people back to our beautiful community and restore the tradition of vibrant, fun events for families to enjoy.
A special and truly profound thank you goes out to our dedicated workforce and incredible office team members. Preparing our public spaces for a crowd of this magnitude was nothing short of a monumental undertaking, and our team met the challenge with their hard work and dedication.
Behind the scenes, the office employees served as the mission control for this entire operation. They worked diligently and tirelessly, managing the complex puzzle of scheduling venues, coordinating, organizing and ensuring every administrative piece aligned flawlessly. Their vital support laid the groundwork that allowed our City workforce to step forward and go above and beyond on the ground. Because of their phenomenal teamwork, our parks were pristine, our venues were seamless and the city was fully ready to welcome the thousands of visitors who spent their holiday weekend with us. This level of dedication, professionalism and phenomenal teamwork behind the scenes were the true engine of this success.
Launching the Festivities at Lincoln Park
The spectacular multi-day weekend officially kicked off on Thursday evening at Lincoln Park with a fantastic performance by Alex Cole as part of the city’s summer concert series. Bringing music to the heart of downtown, the performance drew an enthusiastic crowd and set a festive tone for the entire holiday weekend. The opening night perfectly primed our community for the historic celebrations, live music and family-focused activities that followed as we marked the journey toward America's 250th birthday.
All-American Favorites at the Bartlett House
The historic Bartlett House "Pie on the Porch" event was a sweet highlight of the weekend celebrating local heritage with an array of All-American favorites. Visitors enjoyed a mouthwatering selection of traditional pies featuring classic flavors. This wonderful gathering was made possible by the hard work of our dedicated staff and community volunteers who baked, sliced and served with a smile. Their incredible efforts turned the historic porch into a bustling hub of community spirit. All proceeds go to the annual fireworks.
Music Echoing Through the Neighborhoods
Friday evening Oak Hill Park came alive with incredible music and a fantastic community turnout. Concert organizers did a phenomenal job bringing together a diverse lineup of local favorites:
not Norman, the Stick Tights and Vinny and the Mud Flaps.
The concert was immensely well received, and the music could be heard echoing beautifully throughout the surrounding neighborhoods, creating a festive, welcoming atmosphere that residents will remember for a long time to come.
A Spectacular Fireworks Display, Traditional Baseball, and Community Teamwork
Saturday the centerpiece of the weekend - a spectacular fireworks display organized by the Olean Oilers - was a shining example of what happens when our community unites. This massive celebration was a collaborative effort combining city-sponsored events with the tireless fundraising of community organizations and private individuals who volunteered their time and effort to ensure the night sky over Olean was filled with magic.
Perfectly capturing the spirit of our nation's 250th birthday the weekend also featured a traditional American baseball game with the Olean Oilers. Nothing says summer and brings families together quite like America's pastime and the Olean Oilers game served as a beautiful anchor for our community-wide celebration of freedom, heritage and unity.
Classic Vehicles Return to Olean
On Sunday downtown Olean was packed with spectacular trucks, cars and bikes for the "Cruise the Union" Car Show. We want to extend a massive thank you to all the car owners who traveled to show off their incredible vehicles, to the crowds who came out to admire them and the event organizers John West, Darrell Neal, Dan Tavano, Devon Showers-Tavano, Guiddo Lloyd and Bob Sherburne, and a special thank you to J & R Auto for sponsoring the event. All the registered car proceeds go to the Olean fireworks.
The turnout was absolutely wonderful and this success cements "Cruise the Union" as an annual event that we look forward to growing year after year.
Looking Forward to the Future
"When we set out in February with the idea to bring these events back to the heart of Olean, we knew we have a community that loves this city, but the turnout and excitement this weekend surpassed expectations," said Mayor Sherburne. "From the music in Oak Hill Park, to the incredible illuminations in the sky, we gave America a proper 250th Birthday tribute. This weekend proved that when the City, community organizations and spectators come together, we can achieve something truly spectacular. Thank you Olean for your unparalleled support in making the 250th Birthday of this great nation a historic triumph. We are just getting started!"
City of Olean Mayor’s Office
716-376-5615
