Community members are welcomed to participate, share, re-enact 1776 spirit !
By Kathryn Ross, America 250 Chair
WELLSVILLE – There is a 250th Anniversary celebration taking place on Aug .15 on the grounds of the David A. Howe library and we need help.
We have already planned for this event to highlight life in 1776, but we are looking for someone who will impersonate George Washington or another founding father, and the fife, drum and flag trio as portrayed in the Spirit of 76 painting, such as students from the school band. We would also like someone representing the indigenous people who came to the Pidgeon Woods to hunt and gather food for winter. Is there someone with a cannon who will help kick off the event and talk about its parts and use afterwards?
We are looking for people who will demonstrate making paper, soap and candles and weave, both cloth and baskets, quilt, and rug braiding or who forges tools like knives and axes. We are also looking for people who can demonstrate trapping and hunting as was done in the Colonial era. Any vendors who step forward will be allowed to sell their wares.
While Wellsville was not yet founded in 1776, we want to celebrate the heritage that brought settlers into this area, how they lived, worked and played. Is there someone who can dance the Minuet, play period music on a violin or auto harp or perform period folksongs?
Part of the events that are scheduled so far include a performance by the Genesee Valley Chorus founded in 1976, a children’s activity tent, a Colonial food tent, a tent for herb identification and a demo of colonial firearms and demos by the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. There will also be a reading of the Constitution, and a reading of the names of the 56 patriots who signed the document.
The 250th celebration is planned to be a fun and educational event highlighting the founding of this nation and what it was like to live in Wellsville, the wilderness, at that time. It will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 15. The regular Farmers Market will also be taking place at the same time.
For more information or to sign up call 585-610-5343 or contact us by email at kathr_2002@yahoo.comThose who want to donate to this project may use the same contacts for information.
