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In partnership with the South Otselic Fish Culture Station and Gladding Braided Products, LLC, the Otselic Valley Fishing & Heritage Association (OVF&HA) is proud to announce its seventeenth annual Fishing & Heritage Day will be held on Saturday, May 16th, from 9 am to 4 pm in the hamlet of South Otselic, rain or shine. Fishing & Heritage Day will include many popular activities as well as new offerings at the State Fish Hatchery, the Otselic Town Park, and other locations within the hamlet. Some of this year's plans include:
Kandi's Kitchen will begin selling coffee & breakfast items in the Town Park at 6AM
A variety of food available for sale all day
Brochures with the schedule can be found
at the welcome table in the town park.
Event Date
Saturday, May 16th 2026
Event Time
9am-4pm
Event Location
Activities are at multiple sites throughout the hamlet
121 County Rd 13, South Otselic, NY 13155 (welcome table)
A FREE, shuttle bus (small school bus) will be making continuous rounds between the fishing clinic pond, the hatchery, the town park, the school, etc.
3pm Duck Derby
at the Gorge Creek Bridge
State Fish Hatchery (1)
9am-4pm
Tour the hatchery and learn about raising fish, stocking waters, and much more. Fish rearing tanks, aquarium and special exhibits.
Various environmental, conservation and historical non-profit organizations will be set up in front of the hatchery building with their displays and information.
Oneida Artifact exhibit called Awa:tu, which in Oneida means "Yes, it is possible." The collection covers artifacts that display the early contact between Euro-Americans and the Haudenosaunee, artifacts distinctive of the different Six Nations, as well as baskets and other recently made items that demonstrate that the Haudenosaunee are still here, active, and creative.
Special Programs by Shakowi Cultural Center, Oneida Indian Nation
10 AM-11 AM
Ron Patterson will present on the origins of lacrosse and traditional lacrosse stick making, and demonstrate the lacrosse game
11 AM-12 PM and 1 PM to 2 PM
Doris Wilkins-Wilt will explain the meaning of "Friendship Feathers" and assist particpants in the making of them. There are two craft sessions with limited seating.
A friendship feather is typically given to acknowledge a bond between people, whether friendship, gratitude, alliance, or shared experience. It’s both a gift and a commitment to carry that relationship forward in a good way.
· Symbol of Trust & Respect
Being given a feather means someone sees you as trustworthy and honorable. It reflects that you carry yourself in a good way and are worthy of that connection.
· Recognition of Relationship
The feather marks a relationship that has been formed or strengthened. It may be given after working together, helping one another, or building community. .
· Responsibility
It’s not just an honor—it also comes with responsibility. You are expected to carry that relationship with care, continue acting with integrity, and honor the trust placed in you.
-Doris Wilkins-Wilt
Fishing Pond (2)
9am-4pm
Fishing Clinics conducted by NYS DEC & Trout Unlimited
Fishing clinics start at 9am and 12:30pm
Fishing prizes awarded after each clinic
Young anglers are invited to try their hand at fishing in one of the NY State’s Fish Hatchery ponds in South Otselic that is specially stocked with trout.
There is no fee or fishing license required and bait is provided. You may bring your own pole or use one provided by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Fisheries staff and Trout Unlimited volunteers will be available to instruct and assist. People under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Town Park & Town Hall (3)
9am-4pm
Arts, crafts, antiques, and food vendors.
Grace Brown exhibit with information from domestic violence programs such as Amelia's Voice and The Help Restore Hope Center.
Exhibit on the history of the Town of Otselic by Town Historian Mike Schuman
Old-time carnival sponsored by ZeroDraft
Calling children of all ages!!!!
Be sure to visit the all-new
CARNIVAL GAME TENT
Play some fun games where everyone is a winner!
Music in the Park 🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶
10am-12pm
George Anderson
plays mostly his original instrumentals on six- and twelve-string guitars, the Dobro (steel resonator guitar), acoustic, electric-acoustic and solid body-electric guitars as well as keyboards. George has composed soundtracks, music and lyrics for film, TV, and radio.
12pm-2pm
Mike Mullenax
is a solo acoustic performing musician with a widespread musical influence with roots in southern rock, country and 90s alternative.
2pm-4pm
The Eddie and Bird-Dog Show
are well-known for their rich vocal harmonies as well as energetic performances. The Eddie and Bird-Dog Show has entertained audiences of all ages across NY and PA w/a familiar (and sometimes eclectic) blend of your favorite songs of the 60's and 70's, along w/ many original tunes mixed in for good measure.
Valley View Cemetery (4)
11AM
Ed Seales will lead a guided tour of the cemetery that will highlight Grace Brown’s life at the beginning of the 20th century.
Center of Town (5)
8am-5pm
Display of antique tractors.
1:30pm
Tractor Show Parade.
Valley Busters 4-H Club will exhibit small farm animals
&
have games and an information table.
Check out the F&HD specials at Local Gas
The Sunshine Shop (6)
9am-2pm
Thrift shop offering clothes and small household items.
Murray's Pizza (7)
4pm-7pm Check Murray's Pizza website for the latest specials.
Gladding Braided Products (8)
9am-4pm
Demonstrations of Gladding's vintage rope-braiding machine.
South Otselic Fire Department (10)
11 am until done
Chicken barbecue (takeout).
Open house and information.
US Postal Service (11)
8am-11:45am
Pictorial cancellation postmark, created by Charity Gipp, commemorating this year’s Fishing & Heritage Day. This special postmark will be available at the Post Office in South Otselic for 30 days only.
Otselic Valley Central School & Public Library (12)
Stop by the Otselic Valley Library during Fishing & Heritage Day between 10 AM and 2 PM.
The following events will be happening at the Library:
The Class of 2030 will be hosting various crafts and showcasing some of the Makerspace items/ 3D printing and games etc. available for use at the Library.
The Powerhouse from Cornell Cooperative Extension will be parked outside and be available for tours, crafts and presentations. The Powerhouse is a clean energy powered tiny home used to educate and empower residents to lower their utility bills and adopt clean energy technology.
At 11 am- join the Powerhouse for “How to Read (and Lower!) Your Utility Bill”: a practical workshop with a local CCE Community Energy Advisor
At 12:30 pm- join the Powerhouse for Hands-On Science Activities: Build a Solar Oven
Throughout the event there will be craft activities available for toddlers through Grade 8 as well.
We will have free books to give away as well. See you at the Library!
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