A month-long celebration is in progress to mark the Grand Re-Opening of the McDonald's Restaurant in Owego. The restaurant was closed for renovations required due to a fire in November 2002. In addition to new kitchen equipment and other upgrades, the dining area of the restaurant has been renovated to include a more modern and attractive décor.

 The celebration started with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on July 1 featuring area dignitaries (pictured above) and the donation of a colorful hand-made afghan blanket to the Ronald McDonald House of Central New York by Mrs. Debbie Rando of Apalachin (pictured below). The afghan will be auctioned off at a Ronald McDonald House fund raising event scheduled for later this year.

Debbie Rando (right) presents a homemade afghan to Melissa Antunes of the Ronald McDonald House of Central New York, while her husband, Dennis Rando (left) and Clyde Stoltz (2nd from the left), owner of the Owego McDonald's look on.

"We're very excited about re-opening this store," said Clyde Stoltz, the franchisee for the Owego McDonald's. Stoltz owns eight other area McDonald's restaurants including the one in Apalachin. "We've been anxious to get this store opened again."

A "Fire Safety Day" will take place on Saturday, July 12, focusing on fire safety and prevention and to honor local firefighters, including those who responded to the fire at the restaurant last year. There will be a live radio broadcast by WMRV, Star 105.7 FM, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. The Owego Volunteer Fire Department will have presentations and displays from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Free face painting will be available for kids from 2:00 to 4:00 pm that day. In addition, free Extra Value Meals will be provided to all Owego Volunteer Fire Department members wearing their uniform.

 On Saturday, July 19, Ronald McDonald will visit the Owego McDonald's at 1:00 pm. Free photos with Ronald will be available to the first 100 kids. His visit is expected to last between one and two hours. There will be a live radio broadcast from 10:00 am to 12:00 Noon by WHWK, the Hawk 98.1 FM, and free cloth "McDonaldland"character dolls to the first 100 kids.

  Ongoing Grand Opening festivities will include contests to win one of two BMX mountain bikes from Coke, one of two portable grills, a sports backpack filled with surprise sports-related gifts, tickets to Six Flags/Darien Lake and more.

 The Owego McDonald's will feature extended late-night drive-thru service until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The store's regular hours are 6:00 am to 11:00 pm daily. 

 The Owego McDonald's is on Route 17C and Hickories Park Road.