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VOLUME 2 ISSUE 26
JUNE 30 - JULY 6, 2017
Your Hometown Newspaper & The Official Newspaper of the Springville-Griffith Institute Central Schools
Celebrate Independence Day!
Ellicottville Rodeo June 29-July 2
By Elizabeth Riggs
Excited for the potlucks, swimming, sparklers and of course, the annual fireworks show? This year, Springville’s festivities will be held at the community park on July 4th at 5 p.m., kicking off with a performance from Gene Hilts & The Rustic Ramblers, with fireworks to follow. Around here, you’re not limited to one night of fireworks. Here are a few other local celebrations: Ellicottville Rodeo Thursday, June 29 – Saturday, July 1 Yeeehaw!! An honest-togoodness rodeo at the home of the Nightmare Hayrides on Sommerville Street, complete with bronco bustin’, bull riding,
Upcoming Events calf roping, barrel racing and stick horse racing for the kids. Each evening show will feature fireworks following the rodeo. Evening shows take place at 7 p.m., with gates opening at 5 p.m.
Ellicottville Summer Music Festival July 1 The BPO performs on the slopes of Holiday Valley, with music set to an impressive fireworks display.
See Fireworks page 5
July Race Rundown
By Alicia Dziak
If your competitive side is calling, why not answer it by signing up for a race or two this July? Whether you prefer to hit the pavement or the trail, there’s something for everyone. On Saturday, July 1, head to Tommy’s Run 5K at Yates Park in Orchard Park for a 5K Race/1 mile walk/fun run. The event includes post-race food and refreshments, door prizes and race t-shirts. Race day registration is available 8
to 9:30 a.m. Register online at www.tommysrun.org On Wednesday, July 12 at 7 p.m., get over the hump at the Hump Day Mile, starting near the Roycroft Inn at 40 S Grove Street in East Aurora. Registration opens at 6 p.m. , with the men’s race at 7 p.m. and the women’s race at 7:15 p.m. The race is sponsored by Aurora Races to Benefit Area Youth Running Programs. More info at runsignup. com/Race/NY/EastAurora/ HumpDayMile.
On Saturday, July 15, check out the Finn McCool 4 Mile Odyssey at South Buffalo’s Cazenovia Park. Competitors traverse a 4-mile adventure run while navigating over, under and through obstacles including a climbing wall, cargo net, monkey bars, hay bales, slip ’n slides, mud crawl and many more - until the finish line is crossed and the party with Finn begins! 1st wave starts at 9 a.m., and the 9:30 wave is the only chip timed and competitive wave. Visit www.finnmccool4mile. com for more info. Also on July 15 is the Insane Inflatable 5K at Knox Farm in East Aurora. In the Insane Inflatable 5K, a towering, albeit bouncy, staircase looks down on runners—and that’s just the first obstacle. After clambering up one side
Happy Campers!
See July Races page 4
Local Campgrounds to Explore By Alicia Dziak
With school out for the year and the holiday weekend upon us, the height of camping season has arrived! Whether you prefer roughing it under the stars, being deep in the woods or in a heated cabin near your neighbor, there’s something within a short driving distance of Springville to suit every camping style. See Camping page 6
By Elizabeth Riggs
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! That’s right. It’s time for the Ellicottville Championship Rodeo, which will be saddling up from June 29 through July 2.
Located at 6319 Sommerville Road, just outside Ellicottville, the Ellicottville Championship Rodeo marks its 29th year, and is one of the largest International Professional Rodeo Association/APRA See Rodeo page 3
A LOOK BACK: The Fourth of July
June 30- July 2 Ellicottville Championship Rodeo July 4 Independence Day Ju;y 4 Fireworks Springville Community Park July 8 SCENe Garden Walk July 21 Bike Night Kissing Bridge
The Farmers Bank at the corner of Main and Mechanic Streets decorated in all its patriotic glory is a fitting picture for the Fourth. The bank was built in 1883; the clock was added in 1929. The Farmers Bank was bought out by M & T Bank in the 1950s. The building was razed in 1973 when the new branch was built. By Derek M. Otto
By the time that Concord and the Springville area had enough of a population to have a large celebration for the Fourth of July, the declaration
was almost 50 years old. The earliest known Fourth of July celebration occurred in 1819, at the four corners east of the
July 28 Springville Stampede SGI High School July 29 Fiddler’s Green Bluegrass Festival
See A Look Back page 7
Swimming Lessons for All
By Alicia Dziak
As the temps continue to rise, it’s time for trips to the beach, pool, creek or nearest swimming hole. It’s also time to work on those swimming skills! If you live in Springville or the surrounding communities, there are some great options when it comes to learning and developing this important skill. SYI offers swimming lessons for many different ages and abilities at the community pool on Buffalo Street, July 10 through Aug. 17. Register at www.syionline.org. Early Bird provides lessons at a privately- licensed inground pool, and has been teaching swim lessons since 1980 at their Rt. 39 location.
EMERLING
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See What Makes Us Better
They offer six weeks of lessons, two or three days per week. Lesson times are still available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9 a.m. for kids ages 2 1/2 (and fully potty trained)
to 12. To sign up, call 5922403. Take the short drive to Sardinia’s community pool for lessons. Signups are going on See Swimming Lessons page 2
Have a Happy & Safe Holiday
195 West Main Street, Springville NY (716) 592 - 2881 • Open Mon & Tues 9 - 8, Wed 9 - 5, Thurs 9 - 8, Fri 9 - 5, Sat 9 - 4