OSWEGO -- As vendors and staff finished setting up near Harborfest's main stage on Wednesday night, local kids enjoyed the opening of the midway on the last quiet night in Oswego before the crowds arrive.
Harborfest is the busiest weekend of the year in Oswego with more than 125,000 people expected to visit. On Wednesday some parents said they were worried that Harborfest has turned into too much of a party over its 24 years and less of a family event.
"There's too many people drinking and driving and stuff like that. I think it should be about kids and having fun not all about alcohol and partying," said Cassandra McRae as she visited the midway with her young children. Have you been to Harborfest? Do you agree with that statement?
Harborfest's executive director says the festival's party reputation is blown out of proportion, and noted recent changes that keep alcohol sales to specific fenced in areas. Tom Van Schaack also said there are more family events and attractions this year.
"If people choose to go out and do other things after Harborfest - that's there business," said Van Schaack. "We're here to provide them with entertainment and some programming."
Van Schaack added that there have been very few problems at recent Harborfests and that the large crowds have been generally well behaved.
Some neighbors like Tom Van Horn who live very close to Lake Ontario have a complicated relationship with the event that brings so much fun and so many people to the Port City.
"I can't wait for it to get here, I can't wait for it to leave and I can't wait for next year," said Van Horn.
Organizers say their best advice for people coming to Oswego this weekend is to not try and park too close to Harborfest. Instead, the recommend parking in one of the large open lots on each side of the city and taking a trolley right to the heart of the action.
Do you plan to go to Harborfest this year? If not, is alcohol a factor in your decision? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think.
