‘Flat Orly’ debuts, public asked to color him and highlight their favorite spots in Orleans County
Provided photos: Orleans County Historian Catherine Cooper colors the first Flat Orly as part of a new project to help celebrate Orleans County’s 200th anniversary this year. Orly is the county’s bicentennial mascot. Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina displays a Flat Orly. The local libraries will have Flat Orly sheets available for the public. The design also can be downloaded from the Orleans County Tourism website.
MEDINA – Orly the Ox has been busy highlighting local historical sites and other popular places in Orleans County this year.
Now the public can join the fun by coloring a picture of Orly and taking him to their favorite place sin Orleans County and beyond.
This life-size cutout of Orly the Ox also is on display at the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library. Other cutouts of Orly will be available in the county, especially at upcoming concerts and some other events.
Orly’s adventures have been chronicled on the Orleans County Tourism’s social media pages. Orly also has his own TikTok. Today he was shown at the original Erie Canal loop in Holley to help highlight opening day of a new season for the Erie Canal, which is also celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2025.
The Orleans County Bicentennial Committee and the County Tourism Department teamed to create a “Flat Orly” like the Flat Stanley projects that are popular for elementary kids around the world. Kids decorate a “Flat Stanley” and take him on trips or send to friends and family to take on adventures.
“Flat Orly offers a creative way for people of all ages to take part in the bicentennial celebration and express their community pride,” the County Tourism Department declared in announcing Flat Orly today. “Participants are encouraged to bring Flat Orly along on local outings or even on trips beyond the county.”
Catherine Cooper, Orleans County historian and chairwoman of the Bicentennial Committee, was the first to color a Flat Orly.
“It’s an activity that is open to people of all ages,” Cooper said. “It can release your inner child. Everybody loves to color. It will be fascinating to see where Orly travels.”
Flat Orly cutouts and instruction sheets are available at the four public libraries in Orleans County: Lee-Whedon, Hoag Library in Albion, Community Free Library in Holley and Yates Community Library in Lyndonville.
A printable PDF also is available by clicking here.
People are encouraged to post their Flat Orly at their favorite places in Orleans County and beyond the county borders.
“Whether it’s a local landmark, a park or a family trip, Orly is ready to explore,” states the instruction sheet for Flat Orly.
People are encouraged to take a photo of themselves with Flat Orly or just Orly at the locations, and then post on social media, tagging Orleans County Tourism and using the hashtags: #OrlytheOx and #Orly’sAdventures.
The Flat Orly campaign will run through the remainder of the bicentennial year in 2025. Call the county tourism office at (585) 589-3100 or visit OrleansNY200.com for more information.
