Fishing & Heritage Day in South Otselic on Saturday, May 18 will be offering two free fishing clinics at the hatchery in addition to many other programs and exhibits. (Submitted photo)

SOUTH OTSELIC – The Otselic Valley Fishing & Heritage Association will be celebrating its 15th annual Fishing & Heritage Day in South Otselic, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Saturday, May 18.

This rural hamlet was home to the world renown Gladding Fishing Line Co., which began in 1816.

There will be two fishing clinics at the hatchery, where young anglers are invited to fish for trout. The clinics are free and fishing poles are provided for those who don't bring their own. In addition, fly tying and other exhibits will be inside the hatchery.

There will be the usual variety of program offerings featuring the community's history, including fishing, plus a special look at the indigenous people who once occupied and used this area.

Special highlights will include a song and dance performance by the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy at 1 p.m., Oneida tribeswoman Jessica A. Farmer's corn husk dolls workshops, and Mohawk tribeswoman Robin Lazore's basket making demonstrations.

In addition, numerous environmental and conservation organizations will have information and displays. There will also be a free opportunity to join artists Adam Schmidt and Rachel Conley to practice nature and wildlife painting, with all supplies and materials provided.

Arts and craft vendors, antiques, food and live music will be in the Town Park, along with special exhibits in the Town Hall featuring the history of resident Grace Brown, and the Oneida Nation.

Gladding will display one of their vintage rope braiding machines, a craftsman will be creating animal carvings, with a special raffle of a black bear.

The grange will be hosting their beef barbecue luncheon, while upstairs, an enormous vintage loom and spinning wheel exhibit will be on display. Across from the grange, at the Otselic Valley Central School, students will display their artwork. And in the center of town, vintage tractors will again be displayed, with some going on parade at 2 p.m.

This free, family event attracts hundreds of people each year from the surrounding region. Please join the residents on Saturday, May 18th to celebrate this central New York hamlet, once touted as “the fishing line capital of the world”.

For a complete schedule and listing of activities and programs, please visit our website at ovfish.org.

– Information from the Otselic Valley Fishing & Heritage Association