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Memorial Day Weekend = Downtown Fun in Auburn!

May 26th, 2019 - May 27th, 2019
Time: Varies
Location: Downtown Auburn, Various Locations , Auburn NY

Memorial Day Weekend = Downtown Fun in Auburn!
Majorpalooza Downtown: Sunday, May 26, 10AM – 9PM

For Immediate Release- Auburn, NY (5/9/19): Event organizer Chris Major’s goal of relocating his annual fundraiser and 5K run to downtown has enjoyed huge success over the past few years. With free admission & free parking, plus live music acts and plenty of family fun, why miss out on this popular street festival?

The Catch Me if You Can 5K run/walk & the Stefanak Sprint for children will continue happening downtown as well. The 5K race will start at 8:30AM at Memorial City Hall, pass by many historic homes on South Street, the Seward House Museum, Veteran’s Memorial Park, through Downtown Auburn and back to City Hall. 

On Saturday, May 25 from 9 – 11AM, race packet pick-up is at Silbert Optical & Historic Grounds Coffee.
The day of, people can register at City Hall at 7AM. Race fees are $20 through May 10 and $30 thereafter. Students 18 and under are free. On event day, the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center will be open at 7AM for touring and public restrooms.

The Stefanak Sprint will start at 9:45AM also at City Hall, with no registration required. This event is for children 10 and under, and is free of charge. The first 250 will receive a prize for participating. The event has been re-named the Stefanak Sprint in memory of Caitlyn Stefanak, a young Auburn native who lost her battle with cancer in 2011. Caitlyn is Majorpalooza family, and they’re honored to have a race in her memory. 

Following the races, family entertainment will be staged on State Street. The Auburn Doubleday’s will offer fun from 10AM – 3PM, street performer Nate the Great will offer shows at 10:30AM and 1PM, and from 11AM – 2PM Jamboree Arts will do magic shows, balloon art & face painting. In addition, local art, craft & non-profit vendors will be showcasing & selling their products and services all day long.

On Genesee Street, between the William/Dill Street intersection and then down turning down State Street, is where the main event will be held. This shift was made to accommodate businesses in that corridor, that will be providing the food & beverage options for patrons this year. With more experience hosting the event downtown, Chris Major decided against farming out the vending to food trucks & outside businesses. Instead, he is partnering with downtown breweries & eateries on this piece of the event. Participating businesses located within the event boundaries will operate from or near their property premise. These include A. T. Walley & Co., Good Shepherd’s Brewing Co., Moondog’s Lounge, Parker’s Grille & Taphouse and Prison City Pub & Brewery. Others will host a satellite station on Genesee Street, including Next Chapter Brewpub and Wild’s Eats & Sweets.

More food options will be offered by mobile catering business Villano’s, selling for Majorpalooza, and also by the local Italian heritage club Ciao. Food & beverage vending begins at 10AM, and purchases can be made in cash, direct sales, with no ticketing system. As always, Majorpalooza organizers focus on safety first, and they will provide cab fare home for anyone that needs it. Emergency services will be on site as well.

Live music acts on the showmobile stage include Perform4Purpose 11AM – 1:30PM; classic & modern rock band Red Spider 2 – 5:30PM; and headliner Syracuse rock band Scars N' Stripes 6 - 9PM. The showmobile will be located on Genesee Street positioned on an angle facing Walley’s. After the event, stay downtown for more live music by Magical Mystery Tour at Moondog’s Lounge and Petty Thieves at Next Chapter Brewpub.

Chris Major said, “Event proceeds will support the mission of Majorpalooza, Inc., which is to raise awareness & foster support for children in the CNY area who are underprivileged, disabled and/or have been afflicted by a life threatening or terminal medical condition. The corporation also provides assistance to youth programs in our community.” BID’s Assistant Director Jesse Kline shared, “Chris Major & the Majorpalooza volunteer team are organized, hard-working and fun. We are so grateful that they continue to make downtown a prime destination for festivals & special events, while offering both adult and family-friendly activities for the whole community to enjoy for free.” For more information, please contact Chris Major at majorpalooza@hotmail.com, or call the BID office at 315.252-7874.

Memorial Day: Monday, May 27, 11AM – 2PM
Parade - Veteran’s Service - Duck Derby - Food Truck Rodeo

Memorial Day fun starts at 11AM with the City’s annual parade that begins on East Genesee Street and continues westwards down Genesee Street to its end point, at Veteran’s Memorial Park. After the parade, there is a wreath laying ceremony that will take place at approximately noon, and an Auburn Civic Band performance. Over 500 marchers participate in the parade annually, as well as floats, classic cars & fire trucks.
For more information about the parade, contact Kim Bauso email kbauso@auburnny.gov or 315.255-4737.

After the Veteran’s Ceremony, head to Market Street Park for the Auburn Kiwanis 31st Annual Duck Derby. Line up along the fence line and see thousands of little yellow ducks released on Owasco River, and for $5 buy your chance to win the many prizes awarded. The finish line is at the North Street Bridge next to Auburn Police Department; and awards are announced immediately afterward. The grand prize winner takes home $3000, and nine other ducks will be awarded more cash, local entertainment tickets & season passes.

Duck Derby tickets can be purchased at the Knight of Columbus, Silbert Optical, UPS Store, YMCA-WEIU, AmeriCU credit union & more. After expenses & prizes are paid, all of the net profit supports a variety of programs in Cayuga County, with an emphasis on benefitting area youth, people with disabilities, and the elderly. For more information visit: http://kiwanisclubofauburnny.org/.

During the Derby, enjoy DJ music with Jane Stebbins of Good Time Charlie’s Mobile Entertainment. She will be playing tunes under the band shell in Market Street Park. From 11AM – 2PM, the Downtown Auburn BID & the City host a Food Truck Rodeo on Loop Road between North and Genesee Streets. Multiple vendors will be on hand offering a wide variety of dishes & sides. They include Miss Alice’s Mad Hatter Cotton Candy, Potatoes & Molasses, Tonzi’s Catering Co. and Wolf’s Patio Pizza. While you have lunch, watch a special drum performance by members of DownBeat Percussion, the official drumline for the Buffalo Bills. There’s lots of free fun going on in downtown Auburn, so please come & enjoy!

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