Orly the Bicentennial Ox taking temporary residence at Hoag Library
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orly the Bicentennial Ox was on the move this morning, going from the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds to Hoag Library in Albion.
Keith Ward, left, and Vincent Zona, motor equipment operators for the Orleans County DPW, move the painted fiberglass statue from a trailer into the library. The ox isn’t too heavy, approximately 60 pounds.
Orly was painted during last July’s fair by Albion native Stacey Kirby Steward. One side has an agricultural theme honoring the pioneer settlers and the other side has a 4-H and County Fair theme.
The ox was moved the library today so people could get a close look at him.
There will be an informational meeting at noon on Saturday at Hoag for artists, organizations, businesses and other sponsors to hear how they could be part of having more oxen painted around the county.
The ox was featured during the Medina Parade of Lights on Nov. 30 and then Albion Christmas parade on Dec. 14.
Library director Betty Sue Miller sizes up Orly with the DPW workers, who also include Wayne Krull, the deputy commissioner for the DPW.
Miller noted the library has several other paintings and a large mural done by Stacey Kirby Steward.
Orly will greet library patrons for maybe the next three months or so. He might be on the move again on April 15, which is the county’s official 200th birthday. April 15, 1825 was the day the State Legislature first recognized Orleans County. Before that Orleans was part of Genesee County.