Roaring 100th this Saturday at Oshkosh Public Library

It has been a century since the bronze lions were placed at the entrance to the Oshkosh Public Library, and a month of celebrating to mark this milestone culminates on Saturday, Oct. 13, with the Roaring 100^th Celebration.

The main event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., under the dome at the library. The Washington Avenue entrance will be open for the celebration so the public can enter the library “between the lions,” just as they would have at the time of the original dedication in 1912. Harris and Sawyer were a gift to the library from Col. John Hicks, publisher of the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern.

The day’s events will include:

• 9:30 a.m. – A pre-event Birthday Polka Party for children in the lower level
• 10:30 a.m. - 100 Cubs Challenge: 100 kids assembled on the library’s front steps for a group photo. Pick up lion masks at the library to decorate for the photo.
• 11:30 a.m. – Rededication ceremony

Also during the event:

• See entries from the Lion’s Pride Contest, with voting for People’s Choice Award
• Clowning fun with Tim “Otis” Miller.
• Balloon animals by Balloon Kid Stacey Schmude
• Face painting
• A slide show of Harris & Sawyer through the years
• Birthday postcards sent to Harris & Sawyer from around the world
• Refreshments

The final two cards in the set of commemorative postcards the library has been distributing will be available at the event.

The Roaring 100^th Celebration will be held rain or shine, with outdoor activities moved inside in the event of inclement weather. For more information about activities planned for the library lions’ 100^th birthday, visit www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org.