After a two-year pandemic hiatus, the Oswego Harborfest returned with food, fun, music and games for everyone.

“My favorite ride out of every ride is the Sea Dragon Ship,” Rhys Connor said. “I like the food a lot.” 

The Oswego HarborFest started back in 1988. Now a little over 30 years later, it has grown from a small local event to a major admission-free regional event attracting over 75,000 people annually.

“It’s been great,” Cindy Lockyer said. “The weather is absolutely wonderful, it’s so beautiful this weekend.” 

Lockler grew up in Oswego County and has been coming to the Harborfest since it started. Even though she moved away to Tennessee in the early 2000s, she still comes back about twice a year to visit family and to attend the festival.

“It’s great, obviously for local people and the economy,” Lockler said. “It’s great for the kids, something ice for them to do you know during the summer.” 

This year was Lockler’s first time bringing her grandkids, who live in Washington D.C., to the festival.

“Obviously we’re doing the kitty rides down here,” Lockler said. “They did a nice job bringing some different rides down and some games for the kids.”  

 The return of Harborfest brought out a lot of smiling faces.