Orleans County was incorporated on April 15, 1825 and celebrated its Bicentennial throughout 2025. 

Orleans County was incorporated on April 15, 1825, and celebrated its bicentennial throughout 2025. A Bicentennial Committee met to brainstorm and implement a variety of ways to commemorate the historic anniversary. The committee was chaired by Orleans County Historian Catherine Cooper and included representatives from the community, including village and county government, museums, Cornell Cooperative Extension, historians, local media and tourism.

The committee chose the ox to be the official mascot of the Orleans County Bicentennial.  Oxen were critical for the fledgling county, pulling wagons across rough terrain, helping to clear trees, dig the Erie Canal and provide the muscle for taming the land. Read more on the history of the ox in Orleans County.

The committee also introduced Orly the Ox! Orly served as the official face of the bicentennial and was featured daily on the Orleans County Tourism social media pages in 2025, posing at historic sites and attractions and trying out many of the county’s activities. Photos from Orly’s adventures appear below.

Projects that were implemented to commemorate the Orleans County Bicentennial are:

• A commemorative poster
• Bicentennial Quilt
• Oxen of Orleans County Public Art Trail. 

We are encouraging the community organizations to jump on the "Oxen of Orleans County" Public Art project and populate Orleans County with an artistic & historic oxen trail. Read more on this effort >>>

2025 marked a major milestone for Orleans County and the Erie Canal, as both celebrated their bicentennial year. To bring the celebration to life for residents and visitors, the Orleans County Bicentennial Committee introduced Orly the Ox as the official mascot.

The choice of an ox was no accident. These strong, steadfast animals were once the backbone of Orleans County’s growth. In the early 19th century, oxen hauled wagons, cleared forests, dug the Erie Canal and helped transform the wilderness into farmland and thriving communities. Though often overlooked in history books, their labor made settlement possible.

Carrying that legacy forward, Orly traveled the county throughout the year as a cheerful ambassador, visiting towns, landmarks, festivals and hidden gems. Each stop was featured daily on the Orleans County Tourism Facebook and Instagram pages, with photos and short write-ups highlighting the history and significance of the location. Many residents discovered places they had never visited or even known about before.

The friendly ox quickly became a crowd favorite, appearing at parades and events, including a standout role as grand marshal of the Albion Strawberry Festival. Along the way, he revealed a whimsical side, trying hydrobiking on the Erie Canal, playing pickleball, dancing on TikTok and joining in plenty of unexpected adventures. His charm extended beyond the county, earning him three television interviews and a growing following on social media.

Fans of all ages engaged with Orly through selfie boards, stickers and painted rocks featuring colorful depictions of him and his adventures. Another popular activity, Flat Orly, was inspired by Flat Stanley and allowed people to color, cut out and take him along on their travels and favorite spots around the county. Flat Orly has even made it as far as Canada, Ohio and New York City, spreading the bicentennial spirit far and wide.

Although Orly’s official bicentennial duties have ended, his influence remains. He showed that a small, rural county can make a big impression with creativity, pride and a welcoming spirit. More than a mascot, Orly became a symbol of community connection, linking the past and present, inspiring curiosity and bringing joy everywhere he went.

Residents and visitors can still see Orly at events, and the social media pages remain a record of his travels and the county’s history - a nice reminder that exploring where we come from can be both fun and educational.

Follow Orly on the following platforms:

Orleans County Tourism on Facebook and Instagram.

For some whimsical and exclusive content follow his personal account on TikTok and Instagram.