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JAMESTOWN, NY (WNY News Now) — An over 20 year Jamestown Tradition of turning the Chadakoin River green is coming back this year, however more is planned to happen than in previous years.
This year the City of Jamestown has partnered with Collaborative Childrens Solutions in this year’s turning the river green event to bring more attention to the pearl city.
“Chautauqua Institution, Therapy Dogs United, Peppy Dental, all kinds of people down here with games and activities for the kids,” stated Organizer Patrick Smoreldo. “At 11, obviously, Jamestown’s Lucky Leprechaun will be here to do his thing, turn his river green and do his magic. Also at 11 we have a scavenger hunt that will take place in downtown Jamestown. You can pick up an entry form right here (Chadakoin River), there’s ten businesses throughout the city that are in, from 11 p.m. to 2 p.m.”
In addition, Explosion Cheer will be holding a cheer exhibition and craft show at the Northwest Arena.
“We’re changing the arena over to a professional cheer show, in hopes that people become interested in cheerleading,“ explained Smoreldo. “It’s another thing for children to become involved in.”
While we have a winter storm incoming, Parks Director Dan Stone tells us that the area will be ready no matter what kind of weather hits.
“We went through yesterday, the Parks Department, and the guys plowed the path and salted it all off,“ stated Stone. “Got it nice and clear and ready to go. Mother Nature was not going to stop us on this one.”
When asked how he thought the winter weather would impact the turnout, Organizer Patrick Smoreldo was not worried.
“It’s a free event for two hours if you’re here max in downtown,“ explained Smoreldo. “Um, no, it shouldn’t. There’ll be Elegant Edibles here doing hot chocolate, there will be stuff like that.”
Another worry by the public is the dye used to turn the river green. Stone tells us that the tracing dye used is a safe, non-toxic, biodegradable substance used all the time within the city’s water system.
“It’s the magic of the Leprechaun right,“ stated Stone. “What we use is a dye that is used in normal operations through water and sewer projects going on in the City of Jamestown, and probably through the entire country.”
The Chadakoin River will be turned green when the Jamestown Lucky Leprechaun dips his shillelagh into the water at 11 a.m. Saturday.
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