Turn of the Century Day

Roxbury's celebrated festival of "all the agreeable pursuits" of 1898 on September 4 will be packed into one fun-filled day of vintage base ball, children's activities, hand crafts, plenty of vintage victuals, spectacular fireworks at dusk, and as always, period fashions. 

Join the '98 crowd yourself by dressing the part. Roxbury's Parks Department has built an extensive collection of authentic period dress and can outfit you for the day. Just call Karina at 607 326-3722 to make your fitting date before August 31. You'll have your costume set aside and can jump into Turn of the Century Day in style.

In addition to men's and women's outfits, children can also enjoy this dress-up occasion in knickers and pinafores supplied by the Parks Department. They'll want to be dressed for their own special occasion, the popular afternoon Teddy Bear Tea that Saturday from 1 - 3 p.m., where dolls, teddies, and other favorite companions are invited to the Gould Playhouse for the Children's High Society event of the year. (Cookies and treats will be on offer, of course!) And parents, take note, the Teddy Bear Tea is an unforgettable photo op for your scrapbook.

Children and adults alike will delight at the roving antics and showmanship of the vaudeville entertainers and acrobats Clan Tynker throughout the day. Wood hewers, quilters, handmade soaps, artists and other crafts will be on display, and possibly a snake oil, um, "potion" seller or two. Damsels and gents alike will be on parade in the traditional 19th century Fashion Show.

Base Ball games among the Delaware County Vintage Base Ball League teams will keep the action coming all afternoon in Kirkside Park: watch the Roxbury Nine, The Fleischmanns Mountain Athletic Club and the Bovina Dairymen bring to life the authentic rules and customs of the 1890s "base ball" in the same ballfield that was home to the original Roxbury Nine more than 100 years ago. 

Roxbury brass marches and mountain fiddlers will keep you entertained and all of Roxbury's civic and community organizations will keep you well fed, with ball park fare, chicken BBQ, ice cream, fruit pies, and the charming "Miss Candy," selling old-fashioned treats and sweets from her market cart. Beer and wine will be supplied on site throughout the afternoon and evening by Public Restaurant, and don't forget to stash a lawn chair or blanket for the fireworks display later in the evening.

Call the Parks Department today (607 326-3722) to make your date with history: get costumes fitted for yourself and for kids of all ages. Fittings are by appointment from 9 - 11:30 a.m. weekdays until August 16, and from 3 - 5 p.m. from August 16-Sept. 3. 

Then save the date for the most festive 19th century celebration of the year on September 4! Fun begins in Kirkside Park at 10 a.m. and continues right through the evening with music and fireworks at dusk. Visit www.roxburyny.com for schedule updates.

STEP OUT IN STYLE — The acrobatic antics of Clan Tynker will be back for Turn of the Century Day this year in Roxbury's Kirkside Park, all day Saturday, Sept. 4. You can dress the part yourself by borrowing vintage wear from the Roxbury Parks Department (607 326-3722). Vintage Base Ball, music, crafts, and of course lots of savory victuals will be on offer, with spectacular fireworks at dusk. Contributed photo.