FUN THINGS TO DO 2026

Fun THINGS TO DO

June 2026 • Observer & Westfield Republican • 1

Fun THINGS

TO DO

JUNE 2026

Fun THINGS TO DO

2 • Observer & Westfield Republican • June 2026

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Fun THINGS TO DO

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VIP

BOXED SEATS

VIP tire Family

A “To Do” List For The En PARKING ENTER TO WIN IN STORE advertisers

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10910 ERIE RD IRVING, NY 14081

Fun THINGS TO DO

4 • Observer & Westfield Republican • June 2026

1. 54th ANNUAL YWCA ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL, located in the Village of Westfield’s Moore Park, returns on July 24th & 25th, 2026.

Patrons will enjoy FREE admission to browse among numerous vendors. A variety of food trucks offer a wide selection of tasty delights.

Attendees will find unique and handcrafted creations, including home décor, gourmet foods, jewelry, children’s toys, clothing, original art, metal sculptures, and more.

The YWCA Arts & Crafts festival welcomes new artisans along with favorites from years past. The festival will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 24th & 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 25th. For further information on how to become a vendor or to obtain information prior to the event, don’t hesitate to get in touch with artsandcrafts@

mily

A “To Do” List For The Entire Fa

ting advertisers The OBSERVER and our participa tion full of ideas to would like to offer this special sec throughout the year. be a part of your family planning our area has to offer We recognize the value of what s. our readers, residents and visitor er all, we live in an A Top 10 list just wouldn’t do. Aft fun that includes area that’s home to year round Lake activities, Lake Erie activities, Chautauqua s, fairs, water and festivals, farm markets, winerie g, performing arts, snow skiing, museums, campin ues sports, science, educational ven and so much more. list of things to do.

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ywcawestfield.org Plan Your Visit - Visitors can find parking throughout the Village of Westfield or at the Westfield Academy and Central School bus garage, where continuous shuttles will run to and from Moore Park.

Proceeds from vendor booth rentals directly support YWCA Westfield’s mission of empowering women and eliminating racism.

For vendor registration and event details, visit ywcawestfield.org.

About YWCA Westfield - Founded in 1894, YWCA Westfield has been dedicated to supporting women and families in Westfield and the surrounding communities. The nonprofit remains a membershipbased organization offering fitness facilities, community programming, and advocacy initiatives aligned with YWCA USA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women. In 2020, YWCA Westfield expanded its offerings by renovating part of its facility to include Airbnb accommodations, welcoming guests to experience the heart of Westfield firsthand.

2. ANNUAL DOG-GONE GOOD YARD SALE sponsored by Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue, (NCCR). We are a non-profit, 501(c)3 shelter that helps puppies and dogs find “furever” homes.

NCCR is located at 7540 N. Gale St. in Westfield, NY and is open Monday-Saturday from 1-3 pm, or by appointment. Many of the available dogs can be seen online at www.caninerescue.org. NCCR has been helping dogs for 26 years and has adopted out over 2800 dogs and puppies in just the last 10 years alone! There are ALWAYS wonderful dogs just waiting for the right person or family to come meet them. A 4-legged friend might just be the best friend ever.

From energetic ball players and running companions to slow and steady couch potatoes and everything in between, NCCR has them all! The shelter can be reached at adoptions@caninerescue.org or 716-326-7297.

NCCR always needs volunteers, foster homes, donations, and

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June 2026 • Observer & Westfield Republican • 5

financial support. Volunteer applications, foster home applications, and a donation list can be found on their website. Foster homes are critical for certain dogs that need a home environment to decompress from their difficult pasts. Volunteers are always needed for shifts at the shelter or events in the community. Donations of money or supplies are vital to help keep the shelter running.

And who doesn’t love a good yard sale? One of the best fundraisers for the shelter is coming up in July - the 14th Annual Dog-Gone Good Yard Sale is happening July 24, 25, & 26 from 9 am-4 pm on Friday & Saturday and 9 am - 1 pm on Sunday at the shelter.

Donations for the sale will be accepted July 11th – 20th daily from 1-3 pm. If you’ve been before, you know there are wonderful items to buy at fabulous prices, and each year it’s even bigger than the last! Watch the website or the Facebook page for any updates.

Anything (except clothing, cribs, mattresses, electronics, computers, broken items, books or car seats) that is in good condition, clean and saleable is very much appreciated. The dogs and pups will benefit immeasurably! Look around your barn, attic, garage, and any room in your house, get rid of the furniture, jewelry, kitchen items, sporting goods, artwork, linens, knick knacks, etc. etc. etc. you never really liked or used - chances are that someone else will! And feel good knowing that it is all for a great cause! Stop by the sale and see what you need to fill in that extra space you made by kindly donating!

When you drop off your donations, you can also come see the dogs that you are helping. Maybe you’ll find your next best friend! Pick up a poster for the sale and hang it in your community. Mention the shelter and the dogs and the sale to your friends; perhaps someone is looking for a new companion or has items to donate too. The dogs and volunteers greatly appreciate the community’s support!

NYS Registered Rescue #028

3. THE DUNKIRK LIGHTHOUSE is celebrating

the 200th anniversary of our being a working lighthouse on Point Gratiot. We will be honoring this achievement with a craft show on July 25 & 26 called “Crafts on the Lake”. We will have craft and food vendors on the property along with other scheduled events, including special tour pricing. You can check our facebook page for more information.

The house and tower were built in their current location in 1875. The museum has been open since 1984. The first floor of the house is set up for visitors to get a feeling of what life would have been like between 1875 and 1960 when the keeper and his family lived in the house. The second-floor bedrooms have been turned into a military museum. Each room is a different branch of the armed forces; each room contains several cases of artifacts from the different wars and eras. Climb the 55 cast iron stairs to the observation deck, see the spectacular view and look at our original 3rd order Fresnel lens. This lens has been used to guide ships daily since 1857.

The Coast Guard Building has artifacts donated by the Coast Guard along with artifacts located in Lake Erie from sunken ships. There are also artifacts from the Navy and other branches.

Museum tours begin in the gift shop. Tours cost $12 per person unless you are over the age of 55, a veteran, or a student, the cost for those visitors is $10. Children from 5-10 years of age are $5.

Children under 5 are free.

There is a Pavilion on the property that can be rented out for weddings, reunions or parties of any sort. It has a capacity of 150 people. The pavilion has electricity and canvas roll down sides.

More information about times and availability can be found on our facebook page and our website: www.dunkirklighthouse.com.

GERRI BEGIER Owner 5139 West Lake Road Dunkirk, NY 14048 716.366.0268 billshooks@roadrunner.com www.billshooks.com Specializing In Walleye & Salmon • Fishing Equipment Hand Tied Worm Harnesses • Marine Electronics Hunting & Fishing Licenses • Lake Erie Fishing Charters

6 • Observer & Westfield Republican • June 2026

Fun THINGS TO DO

2026 Schedule of events:

adding to the festival’s artistic diversity and offering visitors • Sunset Yoga every Thursday June - Sept. and every Tuesday, July a unique experience from year and August. to year. Taking advantage of • Crafts on the Lake July 25 and 26, 2026. the fairground’s idyllic setting, • Ghost tour dates: August 22, September 26, October 17, 24, 30 and 31. artists display their wares in quaint, open air barns and 4. 46th ANNUAL WILD WIND FOLK ART & CRAFT FESTIVAL the surrounding outdoor - Celebrating Artistic Excellence and Family Fun! This year’s event areas under tents. Whether takes place on Saturday, September 12th & Sunday, September 13th searching for a small gift item at the Warren County Fairgrounds, 371 Barton Run Road, Pittsfield, or something new for the home, PA. Held rain or shine, hours are 10 am to 5 pm, each day. festivalgoers are invited to take As the first signs of autumn begin to appear across the region, time at each exhibit as they make their way through the grounds. the Wild Wind Folk Art & Craft Festival welcomes visitors back for Beyond the artistry, the event is proud to offer a full weekend of another memorable weekend of art, entertainment, and family fun.

For nearly 50 years, the Wild Wind Festival has marked the arrival of family-friendly entertainment. Children and adults alike can enjoy fall for generations of festivalgoers. Held annually the weekend after the traveling petting zoo, balloon art, hula hoop fun, face painting, and more. The Tamarack Wildlife Center returns with its popular Labor Day, the event has grown into a treasured gathering where birds of prey exhibit and educational presentations. The Festival is artists, families, and longtime friends reunite among the sights and also pleased to welcome back Double C Ranch Carriage Services. sounds of the season.

Be sure to take a scenic horse-drawn carriage ride around the At its heart, the festival is a celebration of handcrafted artistry. fairgrounds and enjoy the beauty of the season from a unique More than 150 skilled artisans from across the region will be on perspective. hand, offering a wide variety of unique, high-quality creations.

A special highlight this year is the return of Alexander the Magician, From potters to woodworkers, Wild Wind’s crafters are selected to captivate every interest. Many of them return year after year, a clear who is sure to enchant audiences with a blend of humor, magic, and many new surprises. For those eager to learn some magic indicator of the event’s high quality. Others are new to the show, themselves, lessons will be offered throughout the weekend. All ages are welcome to join!

Live chainsaw carving demonstrations will also be featured, with talented carvers Lisa and Ross Barr of Barrnone Carvings & Creations and Brian Fox of Fox Sawmill and Custom Design transforming raw wood into impressive works of art. Visitors are encouraged to take a seat and watch these creations come to life!

Rich Selfridge of Selfridge Studios will join the festivities as well with

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June 2026 • Observer & Westfield Republican • 7

live glass blowing demonstrations and a collection of his handcrafted glass artwork. Known for his beautiful functional and sculptural glass pieces, Rich brings years of experience and artistry to the festival, giving visitors the opportunity to watch the fascinating process of glass blowing while exploring his one-ofa-kind creations.

longtime favorites and several new additions. From BBQ, gyros, crab cakes, and pierogies to hand-cut fries, wood-fired pizza, and homemade pie, there is something to satisfy every appetite. Live music will add to the festive atmosphere throughout the weekend, with the Kokomo Time Band performing a blend of oldies, blues, and more on Saturday and Old Dawg Bluegrass taking the stage on Sunday with its toe-tapping rhythms.

New this year, Memory Makers Unlimited will showcase its custom wood photo art. This family-owned business creates handcrafted wood photo boards in its own woodshop and uses a proprietary on-site printing process to transform customers’ cellphone photos into unique, lasting home décor pieces in just minutes. Whether commemorating a special event, family portrait, or favorite pet, each piece is crafted to create an individualized work of art.

5. ROLLING HILLS ASYLUM

Festivalgoers can also enjoy a relaxing break in the shaded picnic area while sampling a wide variety of food offerings, including

The Wild Wind Folk Art & Craft Festival welcomes you to join them for a weekend of award-winning artistry and family fun. The admission fees are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and veterans, and free for children 12 and under. As a bonus, those who attend on Saturday can return on Sunday free of charge. This is a special event, one not to be missed! We look forward to seeing you there!

For more information, visit www.wildwindfestival.com, email info@ wildwindfestival.com, or call 802-689-0609.

East Bethany, New York Dare to Explore One of America’s Most Fascinating Haunted Destinations Looking for something beyond the ordinary this summer? Hidden among the quiet countryside of Western New York sits a place where history, mystery, and the unexplained come together under one roof.

OIL CREEK & TITUSVILLE RAILROAD All aboard! Ride the Rails through scenic Oil Creek Valley. Bring the family for a relaxing 3-hour train ride through scenic Oil Creek State Park this summer.

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS!

Open June - October Many Special Events Including: Christmas in July • Murder Mystery Dinners • Wine Tastings • Santa Train & More!

June & Sept - Sats & Suns • July & Aug - Weds, Sats & Suns October Fall Foliage Rides - Weds through Suns (through Oct. 16) Call or visit our website for complete schedule details and to order your tickets Perry Street Station • 409 S. Perry Street • Titusville, PA 16354

814-676-1733 • www.octrr.org

Fun THINGS TO DO

8 • Observer & Westfield Republican • June 2026

Rolling Hills Asylum isn’t a haunted house attraction. It’s the real thing.

• Full-bodied apparitions

With nearly two centuries of history and thousands of documented stories, this legendary location has earned international attention from paranormal investigators, television crews, historians, and thrillseekers alike. Whether you’re a skeptic, a believer, or simply curious, a visit to Rolling Hills Asylum offers an unforgettable experience unlike any other.

• Disembodied voices and unexplained sounds

Where History Refuses to Rest

Many leave with questions they can’t answer.

Originally established in 1827 as the Genesee County Poor Farm, the property served generations of residents including war veterans, widows, orphans, the elderly, and individuals living with physical and mental disabilities.

Summer & Fall Experiences

Over the decades, the facility evolved into the Genesee County Infirmary and later the Genesee County Nursing Home before closing its doors in 1974.

• Shadow figures moving through hallways • Intelligent EVP responses • Objects moving without explanation • Unusual sensations and encounters that defy logic Many arrive curious.

April Through November Rolling Hills Asylum offers an exciting calendar of events designed for first-time visitors and seasoned investigators alike.

Popular experiences include: • Public Ghost Hunts

Today, the halls remain filled with stories from the past—and according to countless visitors, much more.

• Private Overnight Investigations

Why Everyone’s Talking About Rolling Hills

• Self-Guided Historic Tours

More than 1,700 documented deaths occurred on the property, making it one of the most active paranormal locations in the United States.

• Paranormal Training Classes

Guests regularly report:

• Guided Flashlight Tours

• Art in the Asylum & Painting with the Paranormal • Haunted Movie Nights • Celebrity Paranormal Events • Psychic Medium Gallery Readings • Shopping with the Spirits Vendor Events Whether you’re exploring the building by flashlight or learning professional investigation techniques, every visit offers a different experience.

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June 2026 • Observer & Westfield Republican • 9

Conveniently located in Western New York: • 45 minutes from Buffalo • 45 minutes from Rochester • 15 minutes from Batavia Whether you’re planning a weekend road trip, a unique date night, a group outing, or an unforgettable paranormal adventure, Rolling Hills Asylum delivers an experience you’ll be talking about long after you leave.

Come as a skeptic...

Leave a believer.

Rolling Hills Asylum 11001 Bethany Center Road October: Peak Haunting Season As autumn arrives, Rolling Hills comes alive with more than 50 special tours, investigations, and paranormal events throughout the month.

The season kicks off with a thrilling opening weekend featuring: • Haunted Movie Night • Haunted Tours • Self Guided Ghost Hunts • Shopping with the Spirits Vendor Fair Advance reservations are strongly recommended, with tickets ranging from $29 to $79 (Private hunts, celebrity and special events) Bring Your Curiosity You don’t need expensive paranormal equipment to participate.

Many guests capture intriguing photos, videos, and audio recordings using nothing more than a smartphone.

For those who want to dive deeper, the on-site and online gift shop offers paranormal investigation tools, crystals, metaphysical items, collectibles, and exclusive Rolling Hills Asylum merchandise.

Tickets for most public tours and ghost hunt experiences range from $29–$79. Advance ticket purchase is required, as walk-up admissions are not available. Private investigations, celebrity events, and specialty programs are priced separately.

E. Bethany, NY 14054 VM Only: (585) 210-0267 Info@RollingHillsAsylum.com www.RollingHillsAsylum.com

6. CATTARAUGUS COUNTY FAIR - Make plans to attend the 2026 Cattaraugus County Fair August 1st through August 8th, 2026 - Our fair is celebrating 183 years of operation! We are a hometown, family-friendly, all-around fun fair! We pride ourselves on staying affordable in this ever-changing world. The fair has a HUGE free grounds entertainment package included with your admission. With

Annual Dog-Gone Good

Yard S a le

Jul y 2 4 , 25, 26, 2026 Always the last weekend in July 9 am- 4 pm Friday & Saturday 9 am - 1 pm Sunday at the shelter Stop by for great bargains, a chance to win themed raffle baskets, and most of all to help support our dogs!

• Advance ticket purchase is required for all events.

• All tickets must be purchased in advance; walk-up admissions are not available.

• Events regularly sell out, so advance ticket purchase is strongly encouraged.

• Secure your spot early—all experiences require advance ticket purchase and walk-up tickets are not available.

Plan Your Adventure

7540 N. Gale St., Westfield Donations will be accepted for the Yard Sale between July 11th through July 20th, from 1-3pm daily. Watch the website or the Facebook page for any updates. We accept anything (except clothing, cribs, mattresses, electronics, computers, broken items, books or car seats) that are in good condition, clean and saleable is very much appreciated.

DOG FUNDRAISING EVENT!

GREAT BARGAINS!

Fun THINGS TO DO

10 • Observer & Westfield Republican • June 2026

3-4 shows daily for the Flying Cortes Trapeze Spectacular, Swifty Swine Racing Pigs and more, there’s sure to be a free show taking place during your visit! In between riding rides and visiting grounds shows, our fair offers a wide array of livestock, horses, rabbits, and poultry to visit as well as almost one hundred vendors - both food and non-food!

Opening Hours - Gates open daily at 8 a.m. Midway opens everyday at 1 p.m. Pay One Price, 2 and over $17.00 includes unlimited rides!

Animals are in place Friday preceding the fair • Vendors are typically open from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., depending on the crowd. Parking We offer FREE parking behind the fairgrounds! This parking lot is directly behind the grandstand with easy access to the fairgrounds grandstand gate. Handicapped parking is also available in this free lot. Tram rides are typically available daily 1 p.m. - 8 p.m. depending on crowds.

Follow the signs to the free parking (Route 353/Erie Street to N. Ninth St) and drive behind the grounds to the grandstand lot and grandstand entrance! No need to walk back to the front entrance!

Our fair offers all the typical fair foods you crave throughout the year! We have the best and biggest slices of pizza and fried dough, awesome homemade pies, tasty ice cream, fresh curly fries, taffy, candy apples and, of course, hearty Italian sausage sandwiches!

Daily Admission and Special Pricing - General Admission (includes gates and rides) - $17 cash/$18 credit - Pre-sale General Admission (July 1st through July 31) - $14 - (Pre-sale tickets on sale at the Fairgrounds, All Cattaraugus County Banks, High Point Credit Unions, South Dayton Super Duper and Olean, Allegany, Salamanca, Gowanda & Orchard Park Community Banks.

Youth Day (15 yrs & under) AND Sr. Citizen’s Day (62 yrs & over) - $10 cash/$11 credit - Monday, August 3 Between 8 am - 4 pm​ ​ hildren Under 2 Years C (Gate Only) - FREE ​ uto Parking Behind A Grandstand (Day or Night) - FREE Grandstand events: Saturday - $10.00 Sunday - Free Monday - $10.00 Tuesday - $60 pit, $45 standing track, $40 reserved seating grandstand

Wednesday - $40 reserved seating track, Vendors come from several states as well as local groups looking to $35 reserved seating grandstand fund their projects for the upcoming year. Our fair would not be what Monday, Friday, Saturday - $10.00 each show it is without the many vendors who showcase throughout the week!

(Add $1 for any ticket bought with credit/debit card in person) ​ it passes - $30 for demo and truck pull, must be entering with a P vehicle. No one under 16 in the pits!

54th July 24th & 25th, 2026 UNIQUE AND HANDCRAFTED CREATIONS, INCLUDING HOME DECOR, GOURMET FOODS, JEWELRY, ORIGINAL ART, METAL SCULPTURES AND MORE!

FREE FUN EVENT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY FIND OUT HOW TO REGISTER TO BE A VENDOR AT

ARTSANDCRAFTS@YWCAWESTFIELD.ORG

GRANDSTAND EVENTS DAILY • Saturday 8/1/26 Demolition Derby 7:00 pm • Sunday 8/2/26 Black Cat Hell Drivers 7:00 pm • Monday 8/3/26 Demolition Derby 7:00 pm • Tuesday 8/4/26 Dylan Scott w/Highway Home Concert 7:30 pm • Wednesday 8/5/26 Sammy Kershaw w/John Foster Concert 7:30 pm

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June 2026 • Observer & Westfield Republican • 11

• Thursday 8/6/26 CS Pulling Promotions Truck/Tractor Pull 7:00 pm • Friday 8/7/26 Monster Truck Rally 7:00 pm • Saturday 8/8/26 Monster Truck Rally 1:30 pm • Saturday 8/8/26 CS Pulling Promotions Truck/Tractor Pull 6:00 pm For complete information & schedule of events www. cattarauguscofair.com Be sure to visit the little fair with a big value in 2026!

7. DO YOU LOVE FISHING?

Stop in and visit our fully stocked store in Dunkirk, New York at 5139 West Lake Road. Bill’s Hooks LLC specializes in Walleye and Salmon. We have a large selection of fishing equipment and hand tied worm harnesses. If you are looking for marine electronics, we can help with your selection. Get your Hunting & Fishing Licenses here.

We also offer information on Lake Erie Fishing Charters.

Call us at 716-366-0268 if you have questions or are looking for something special. Bill’s Hooks LLC offers great gifts for the outdoor person in your life. billshooks@roadrunner.com • www.billshooks.com

8. PRO WASTE SERVICES INC. offers all of your roll-off container needs. Our 10-Yard Container is ideal for roofing jobs, kitchen

remodels, bathroom remodels & small cleaning out projects.

Height 3.5ft. Width 8ft. Length 12ft. The 15-Yard Container is ideally used for roofing jobs, kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, two car garage clean outs or cleaning out a small home. Height 3.5ft. Width 8ft. Length 16ft. The 20-Yard Container can be used for roofing debris, deck removals, window replacements, construction jobs, scrap metal and garage clean outs. Height 3.5ft.

Width 8ft. Length 22ft. The 30-Yard Container is used for larger construction or remodeling projects requiring the removal of large amounts of debris, including scrap metal. Height 6ft. Width 8ft.

Length 22ft. Our largest container is our 40-Yard. This is used for larger construction or demolition projects, as well as whole house clean outs. Height 7ft. Width 8ft. Length 22ft. We offer fast & reliable service, observing family traditions.

Please call Pro Waste Services at 716-355-4319 for all of your large project needs. Check us out on www.prowasteservicesinc.com and connect with us on facebook.

12 • Observer & Westfield Republican • June 2026

Fun THINGS TO DO

We work well in conjunction with Beichner Waste Services, who are a front load container supplier. Beichner Waste offers 2 – 4 – 6 – 8 cu. yd size containers. Check out Beichner Waste Services on www. beichnerwaste.com or call for more info at 716-962-1020.

9. THE 19th ANNUAL JAMESTOWN REGIONAL CELTIC FESTIVAL AND GATHERING OF THE CLANS IS BACK again this year.

Come join us Saturday, August 22, 2026. Gates Open: Friday Evening at 5 pm and Saturday at 9 am. Proudly Presented by 96th Highlanders Pipes & Drums at the Mayville Lakeside Park (78 Water Street, Mayville, New York 14757).

The Jamestown Regional Celtic Festival is an annual 1 - 1/2-day event that celebrates the Scottish culture, heritage and teachings at the beautiful Mayville Lakeside Park. This year marks our 19th annual Celtic Festival. The event features all things Scottish: The Clans, Bagpipes, Heavy Athletics, Celtic Bands, Celtic Dance, Vendors (Craft/Celtic/Food) Children’s Events and so much more, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

There is a $15 donation for general admission, $10 for Seniors (ages 60+) & All Veterans and children 13 and under are free. We

are offering advanced discounted tickets, online only at: http:// www.96thhighlanders.com/festival/ Festival.html There will be free parking, handicap accessible and a shuttle bus service.

Bring your favorite lawn chair, there will be plenty of shade trees and tents to escape the sun and heat and enjoy the music and games.

Please leave your pets at home, they are not allowed on the grounds for insurance reasons.

There will be 30 Gathering of the Clans, 8 Pipe Bands, 30 Scottish Heavy Athletes, Celtic & Craft Vendors and lots of Celtic Music.

“Tuatha Dea” from Gatlinburg, Tennessee will be performing Saturday 9am-6pm, presented by 2 Gingers Inn, Jamestown, NY. Also performing Saturday at the Beer & Wine Garden Stage: “Emerald Isle” • “Step n Time” • “Water Horse” • “The Fiddle Session” There will be Scottish & Irish Dancers, Beer & Wine Garden, Celtic & Craft vendors, Old Fashion Fiddle session and kid’s area w/clan hunt, Great Food and so much more to see and do.

The festival sponsors this year are 2 Gingers Inn, The Villager newspaper, Merritt Winery, Cummins, and Media One Group.

Come and enjoy yourself and step back into time and experience Celtic life!

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June 2026 • Observer & Westfield Republican • 13

For more information on becoming a Sponsor, Clan, Vendor or Tickets contact www.96thhighlanders.com or call 814-323-7360. Volunteers are needed!

Join us for the Celtic Golf Scramble at the Maplehurst Country Club Golf Course, 1509 Big Tree Road in Lakewood, • Premium, generic and Native American-made products NY. Saturday, July 25th, 2026.

• Roll-your-own products Teams can be Men’s, Women’s, Mixed. $340 per four person team.

• Smoking accessories like pipes, papers and cartridges Registration includes greens fees, cart, beer & hot dogs on course, coffee & donuts at 8 am registration time. There will be a banquet • Chewing tobacco to follow at the club. We are looking for tee & green sponsors. To • Disposable and refillable vape products register www.96thhighlanders.com, go to golf scramble info.

Try out a new flavor of vape juice. Among their vape products, you’ll 10. Catt Rez ENTERPRISES find all kinds of vape pens and e-juices. Pick out your go-to or try INC. something new. They have a wide variety for you to choose from.

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Catt-Rez Enterprises Inc 10910 Erie Road, Irving, NY 1408. For more People come to them for information check them out at https://cattrez.com top-notch service and great prices. Their family owned and operated company has everything you need. Best of all, their goods are all tax-free.

They even have drive-thru windows to better serve you and their location is open 24/7 for your convenience.

Check out their fireworks for sale in Irving, NY- Whether you’re planning a Fourth of July party or just looking to stock up for summer, you can find all the fireworks you need at Catt-Rez Enterprises Inc. They have a wide variety of fireworks for sale. LIGHT UP YOUR BACKYARD WITH SPARKLERS. You’ll find all sorts of firecrackers at their store. They have Roman candles for sale as well as mortars, aerial fireworks and ground fireworks. They offer incredible deals on firecrackers so you can get the biggest bang for your buck. Their shop features a broader selection than many larger chains and stores in the area.

Purchase tobacco products from our store in Irving, NY Refill your vape cartridge and restock your cigarettes. Catt-Rez Enterprises Inc has all your favorite brands of tobacco and vape products on their shelves. You’ll be able to find exactly what you’re looking for when you come in. The best part? Their tobacco products are also tax-free.

You can save money when you buy from them.

Visit their store to find:

Fun THINGS TO DO

14 • Observer & Westfield Republican • June 2026

11. The National Comedy Center – Laughter Lives Here Laugh, Play, Explore and Be Inspired!

Named by USA Today as the #1 Pop Culture Museum in the country and honored as one of TIME magazine’s “World’s Greatest Places,,” the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY is not your typical museum—it’s an immersive experience that delivers laughter, fun, and unforgettable moments.

At the Comedy Center, visitors don’t just walk through exhibits—they laugh, create, and connect through a comedy journey tailored to their unique sense of humor. Using groundbreaking personalization and interactive technology, the museum transforms every visit into a one-of-a-kind adventure.

It all begins with a digital “Sense of Humor Profile.” Guests select their favorite comedians, shows, movies, and comedy styles, which are stored on a wearable LaughBand. As they explore, exhibits respond with content that reflects their individual comedic tastes—serving up laughs that might include classic slapstick, dry deadpan, irreverent satire, or anything in between.

But this isn’t just about watching comedy—it’s about creating it. Visitors can design digital cartoons and

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22 9:00AM-9:00PM

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23 9:00AM-6:00PM

DOWNTOWN FREDONIA IN BARKER COMMONS For more information follow us on MEDIA SPONSORS www.facebook.com/fredoniafarmfestival or on our website www.farmfestivalfredonia.com

The experience is smartly designed for all ages. Kids and families delight in physical comedy, cartoons, and hands-on fun, while adults can explore thought-provoking comedy material—including uncensored content in the Blue Room, reserved for guests 18 and over. When families visit together, the museum even identifies shared comedic preferences, curating experiences they can all enjoy. These shared laughs become shared memories.

Visitors also gain rare insight into the art and craft of comedy. From George Carlin’s handwritten notes to Joan Rivers’ meticulous joke file to Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show monologue jokes, guests see how legendary comedians shaped their material. In the Blue Room, guests age 18+ can encounter the work of boundary-pushers like Richard Pryor, and Lenny Bruce, who broke barriers and redefined the limits of free expression.

Every guest receives a customized Humor Profile summary at the end of their visit—a pie chart showing what made them laugh most— along with a link to their photos, videos, and creations. It’s a souvenir as unique as your laugh.

The National Comedy Center isn’t just about the history of comedy— it’s about how comedy connects us, across generations and backgrounds, through the simple joy of laughter.

The museum is open Thursdays through Tuesdays from 10 am to 5 pm. Plan your visit today at ComedyCenter.org.

12. THE GRAPE DISCOVERY CENTER is the official

FREDONIA FARM FESTIVAL FRIDAY, AUGUST 21 4:00PM-9:00PM

memes, perform stand-up in the Comedy Karaoke Lounge, compete in a Laugh Battle, or step into iconic scenes using green screen technology. Every creation is saved and sent afterward in a personalized digital scrapbook—making every guest not just a viewer, but a part of the comedy story.

Visitor’s Center for the Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt, designated a New York State Heritage Area in 2006.

Developed by the Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association, it seeks to be an experiential destination that supports and promotes the grape industry through sharing stories and engaging, educating and informing the public about all things grape. Admission to the Center is Free and Wi-Fi is available. Donations are graciously accepted.

The Concord Grape Belt is located along the southeastern shores of Lake Erie in western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania, and is the largest and oldest Concord grape growing region in the world. The Concord grape is native to North America, and was first selected and propagated from wild seedlings by Ephraim Bull in

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June 2026 • Observer & Westfield Republican • 15

and allow you to see, touch, smell, and feel different components of what makes this area special.

Family-friendly • Tours offered for pre-booked groups • Interactive learning displays Browse through a gift shop filled with “grapey” apparel, art, vinaigrettes and sauces, and crafts made by local artisans, and take home a piece of the Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt, America’s grape country. Did you see something you forgot to purchase? Give us a call at 716-326-2003. Hours are Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday, 11am – 5 pm. Stop in and see us at 8305 W. Main Road, Rt. 20, Westfield, NY 14787.

EVENTS: Farm Day-we held our first annual on May 16, 2026 complete with a vintage tractor parade!

Concord, Massachusetts in 1849. It was brought to western New York We will be hosting this fun filled family event every year going in the 1870’s where climate, geography, and soils proved to be very forward. suitable to its production.

Basket Weaving with Cherokee Nation’s Robert Lewis – July Established in 2004, the Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of grape growers, juice processors 17th from 6-8 p.m. and wineries, related grape industry businesses and regional organizations. Our mission is to encourage and support the grape and wine industries within the region, and to enhance the region’s quality of life. In May, 2013, the Grape Discovery Center was opened by the Heritage Association as a showcase for local grape-related products, and as a venue for sharing the rich history and culture of the region.

Tasting Bar. Enjoy a glass of wine or grape juice with friends in the Tasting Bar or on the Steve Baran Memorial Patio nestled beside a Concord vineyard. The Tasting Bar features local artisanal cheeses, cured meats, snacks, grape juice, and a weekly selection of wines from Lake Erie Wine Country.

Walk through the Star Family Exhibit Room to learn the story of the Concord grape and 150 years of grape growing in the Lake Erie region. Explore the history and science of grape growing, and the lifestyle of those in the industry.

Interactive exhibits are fun and interesting for visitors of all ages

Join us for a fun filled night creating your own woven basket. Wine and soft drinks will be available for purchase. Bring your own snacks to share. Class is limited to 20, so call today to reserve your spot.

Ticket price is $10 for Grape Discovery Members and $15 for NonMembers. Call to purchase your ticket: 716-326-2003 Paint your own Sunflower Wine Glass-July 23rd from 6-8 p.m.

Join us for a fun filled night creating your own Sunflower Wine Glass.

Wine & soft drinks will be available for purchase. Bring your own snacks to share. Ticket price is $35 Grape Discovery Members and $30 for Non-Members. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

GRAPE BELT OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT ~ Annual Fundraiser – August 1, 2026 8am – 4pm. Save the Date! Green Meadows Golf Course, 2451 N. Brickyard Rd., North East, PA. Registration and payment is due no later July 31, 2026. To ensure a spot in the tournament, payment and a registration form should be mailed or delivered to the Grape Discovery Center, 8305 West Main Road, Westfield, NY 14787.

Patty’s Pet Grooming Grooming ~ Boarding ~ Daycare Dog’s Welcome

Board with us in our clean & safe facility.

Our loving staff will take good care of your pet!

• Doggy Daycare • Boarding • Baths & Brush Outs • Pedicures • Grooming

11171 Urban Road, Dunkirk, NY

716-366-1207

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16 • Observer & Westfield Republican • June 2026

18 Hole, 4 person Scramble/Check in 8-9 a.m., shotgun 9 a.m./Prizes and contests $85 per player/$340 per team Questions? Call Ed Pagano, 716-785-2877.

Grape & Wine Festival-September 18 and 19 Westfield, NY event

well as the occasional black bear. Ride in style on the Wabash, our First Class Car with air conditioning and more comfortable seats. Seating is limited in First Class and does sell out, so be sure to order your tickets early. (Not available for Murder Mystery Dinners and certain other rides. Please inquire when making reservations.) You’ll find special attractions...like our open air Gondola Car -weather permitting -- you’ll have a perfect view of the Oil

Oktoberfest-October 3rd-Tickets will be on sale TBD

Creek Valley. (Availability subject to change.)

All proceeds will fund the operation of the Grape Discovery Center, allowing the center to continue to operate as a non-profit. This will allow us to encourage tourism and educate all about the grape growing history of the Lake Erie Region. The Grape Discovery Center is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization.

Visit our Railway Post Office Car, the only one still in operation in the USA! Be sure to bring your address book - you can mail a postcard or letter right on the train. Each piece of mail receives an official USPS OC&T hand

Stop in and visit us at the Grape Discovery Center. Like us on Facebook, check out our website at www.grapediscoverycenter. com and call us for more information 716-326-2003.

13. OIL CREEK & TITUSVILLE RAILROAD - The Oil Creek Valley is world-famous for its past and the people that lived it. We take you back more than 150 years into the heart of Oil County in vintage cars built by Pullman in 1930. Our main station, Perry Street Station, is an early 1890s vintage freight station located at 409 S Perry St, Titusville, PA. Your 3-hour round trip will take through scenic Oil Creek State Park, to where oil history began. You’ll learn about the people and places that made up Pennsylvania Oil Country. Your family can share the fun of train travel and relive history. See a variety of wildlife from groundhogs to bald eagles, with ducks, deer, and blue heron, as

2026 Chautauqua County Antique Equipment Association 4578 Cemetery Road, off of Route 380, Stockton, NY

August 21-23 Antique Equipment Show

September 12 Annual Fall Tractor Pull

(FREE PARKING) Fri. 8-6, Sat 8-8, Sun 8-4 • Daily Demonstrations including Saw Mill, Hit & Miss Engines & More • Features: Antique Trucks & Side Shaft Engines • Daily Tractor Pulls, Parades, & Games • 51st Annual Show Celebration

(FREE PARKING & ADMISSION) • Garden Tractors: 10 a.m.

• Antique Farm Tractors: 12 p.m. www.CCAEA.net Follow us on Facebook!

stamp!

Snack and beverages are also available on the RPO car, as well as at our Perry Street Station and Rynd Farm Station.

Be sure to visit our Museum, Gift Shop & Concession Stand at Perry Street Station, open any day we have train ride scheduled.

Remember to visit our Concessions at Rynd Farm Station (halfway point) for ice cream, open June through October only.

2026 Season is here.

• June: Saturdays and Sundays departing at 11 AM

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June 2026 • Observer & Westfield Republican • 17

• July: Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays departing at 11 AM July 18 & 19 depart at 1 PM

every Tuesday with other dinner specials Wednesdays are Whiskey July 25 is our Christmas and Weck days and you should stop in on Fridays for their Fish Fry in July event; Special Event Dinner and other great dinner specials too. Open to Members and pricing applies qualified guests.

• August: Wednesdays, Coming up On August 1st, 2026 they will be hosting a Hawaiian Luau Saturdays and Sundays from 2-10pm with food available from 4-6pm, departing at 11 AM Live music by Tennessee Whiskey from 7-10pm and there will be August 8 & 9 departs at 1 PM basket raffles and more happening. Cost is $25 per person which will • September: Saturdays and Sundays departing at 11 AM include food, draft beer, wine pop and snacks throughout • October: Check website for dates and times. Please plan to arrive at least 45 minutes prior to departure. the day. Free camping is also available. For more details For Special Events including Heritage School Tours check out our contact Julie at 716-574-6944.

Events our Events and Tours page at https://octrr.org/specialevents-tours/

14. TOP OF THE HILL GIFT EMPORIUM The Top of the Hill Gift Emporium is located at 344 Central Avenue in Silver Creek, NY. If you haven’t stopped in here yet, you don’t know what you are missing.

They have an increasing variety of Garden Decor, Solar Lights, Candles, Toys, Party Supplies, Pet Items, Flowers, Health, Beauty, Snacks and Candies. Every time you stop in you’ll find something new, especially in their liquidations part of the store where there’s everything from home & patio furniture, storage items, house wares and so much more.

They are open Wednesday-Saturday from 9am-6pm and from Sundays 9am-3pm.and are closed on Mondays & Tuesdays.

Follow them on FB for ever changing specials and new inventory spotlights. Better yet stop in and check out their cheap prices & deals! You’ll be amazed at what you find.

15. GOWANDA LOYAL ORDER OF THE MOOSE LODGE The Gowanda Moose Lodge #1382 is located at 201 Aldrich Street, Gowanda NY. They are a non-profit charity run business and host many fund-raising dinners and community events to help the area residents and more.

They’re open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 3pm-7pm for amazing food options (Bar is open 3pm-9pm). They are closed Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays. WING night is held

Follow them on facebook www.facebook.com/ lodge1382 for more events and happenings at the Gowanda Loyal Order of Moose or to learn more about the Moose Club organization and its

19th Annual

Jamestown Regional

August 21 & 22, 2026 9 AM - 9:30 PM Mayville Lakeside Park, Mayville, New York

Purchase Your Discounted Tickets online at: www.96thhighlanders.com

From Gatlinburg Tennessee TUATHA DEA

See Full Details on Listing #9

Benefit Presented By: Jamestown Regional Celtic Festival for The 96th Highlanders Pipes & Drums Scholarship Fund

Saturday, July 25th, 2026 Maplehurst Country Club Golf Course

To register: https://96thhighlanderspipesdrumsinc. regfox.com/preview/65242d57 a64d4beb94b4e9a52411a0cc

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18 • Observer & Westfield Republican • June 2026

mission visit the Loyal Order of Moose website www.mooseintl.org/ location/1382-gowanda. They hope to see you at their location soon.

16. PATTY’S PET GROOMING Patty’s Pet Grooming located at 11171 Urban Road, Dunkirk, NY, offers full service dog grooming from small to large, baths and brush outs, pedicures, too.

Are you going on vacation or out of town? Board your fur baby at Patty’s Pet Grooming. Your pet will be pampered and well taken care of as if they were Patty’s own.

Interested in doggie day care for your pet? Join the doggie day care program. If interested, call for details.

Patty’s also offers flea protection for your four legged friends. She sells leashes, beds, and other pet supplies. Grooming service is by appointment only. All pets must be up to date on all vaccinations.

Comments from Patty’s Pet Grooming clients include “We have been taking our dog there for years.” “They have a very clean and safe facility”. “My dog loves coming here and always comes out groomed perfectly”.

Don’t wait call Patty’s today to schedule your pet grooming,

boarding or other services today. Their phone number is 716-3661207.

17. RED WHITE AND BLUES FESTIVAL FESTIVALS FREDONIA’S 30th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE RED, WHITE & BLUES FESTIVAL TAKES OVER DOWNTOWN FREDONIA! FREDONIA, NY, - Festivals Fredonia, Inc., a not-for-profit organization run by volunteers, will be hosting their 30th anniversary of the Red, White and Blues Festivals in Fredonia, NY the weekend after Labor Day; September 11-12, 2026 with a very special guest headliner this year! This two-day music event sponsored by Fredonia Beaver Club, Southern Chautauqua FCU, Chautauqua County, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr Foundation, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation and DFT Communications, takes place throughout the village of Fredonia at various bars, restaurants and in Barker Common. This event showcases the area’s local wine industry, hence the “Red” and “White”, along with various local “Blues” artists.

This year’s special 30th anniversary celebration will feature nationally known and multi-GRAMMY nominated blues aficionado Shemekia Copeland! Ms. Copeland possesses one of the most instantly recognizable and deeply soulful roots music voices of our time. She is beloved and honored worldwide for the fearlessness, honesty and humor of her revelatory songs, as well as for her winning, engaging personality. The Chicago Tribune says, “Copeland is the greatest female blues vocalist working today. There’s no mistaking the majesty of her instrument, nor the ferocity of her delivery.” Our opening act on Saturday in Barker Common is GROSH, followed by Shemekia Copeland! GROSH brings high energy and smokin’ riffs, while Shemekia brings refined and sophisticated blues vocals and a band that compliments her deeply thoughtful songwriting skills.

As in past years, we are also expecting to showcase the talents of 12+ different blues and rock performers this year, starting Friday, September 11th, “Uptown” performances will occur at the Fredonia Memorial Post 59 American Legion and Fredonia Beaver Club. On Saturday, September 12th, “Downtown” events takeover Barker Commons, which will feature the Fredonia Farmers’ Market in the East side of the park, in addition to food trucks/vendors, craft and wine vendors and basket/gift certificate raffle throughout the day in the West side of the park and the downtown area. Live music will begin in the gazebo at noon with Buffalo’s own GROSH, featuring guitarist Grace Lougen, voted “Buffalo’s Best Blues Guitarist” by the

Fun THINGS TO DO

Buffalo Night-Life Magazine, followed by GRAMMY nominated and nationally respected blues artist, Shemekia Copeland. Throughout the day on Saturday live music will be featured at various downtown Fredonia bars and restaurants starting at 1 PM. There will be live music every hour or half-hour at a different downtown venue.

Pick up a commemorative T-shirt at the Fredonia Beaver Club on Friday night or in Barker Common on Saturday at the Festivals Fredonia tent. We will also be selling commemorative plastic drink cups, commemorative koozies, guitar key chains and several other merchandise items from festivals past. Pick up a rack card indicating where the bands will be playing and/or scan the QR code for venue detail and the official map. Also visit our website at https://festivalsfredoniany.org/red-white-blues/ and social media at https://www.facebook.com/RedWhiteBluesFredonia for more details and event schedule.

June 2026 • Observer & Westfield Republican • 19

19. CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY ANTIQUE EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATION 51st ANNUAL SHOW 2026!

Friday, August 21st, 8am-6pm, Saturday, August 22nd, 8am8pm and Sunday, August 23rd, 8am-4pm, 4578 Cemetery Road off of Route 380 in Stockton, NY. FREE PARKING. There will be daily parades, tractor pulls, demonstrations including saw mill, hit & miss engines & more! Features: Antique Trucks & Side Shaft Engines.

See you all in August 21-23, 2026 at the Club Grounds featuring tractors, equipment, and engines present at early shows!

Our Annual Fall Tractor Pull is September 12th. Free Parking & Admission. Located at the Club Grounds.

Garden Tractors at 10am and Antique Farm Tractors at noon.

The CCAEA was founded in the mid 1970’s. From there the first few shows were held at the Ellery Fireman’s grounds.

18. FREDONIA FARM FESTIVAL 2026 – Friday, August 21st,

4:00pm-9:00pm; Saturday, August 22nd, 9:00am-9:00pm; & Sunday, August 23rd, 9:00am-6:00pm.

The Fredonia Farm Festival Committee is currently busy preparing the line-up of events for the 2026 Fredonia Farm Festival. This year we welcome Media Partners WDOE1410AM/101.5FM and KIX Country 96.5-100.3. Our team is working hard to bring you the best festival we possibly can. We will be welcoming you back to the beautiful Barker Commons in the historic downtown Village of Fredonia. This year is the 58th year of the Fredonia Farm Festival. The festival attracts many people to our area and was initially created to celebrate our local farmers, a tradition that we are happy to be able to carry on to this day. The festival will be great family fun for all ages and will have many craft vendors, great food, and fantastic entertainment, including a Family Movie Night on Friday at 8:00pm, as well as the traditional grand parade on Sunday afternoon at 2:00pm. For more information watch our website (www. farmfestivalfredonia.com) and/or follow our Facebook page (www. facebook.com/fredoniafarmfestival).

If you have any immediate questions, you can email us at farmfestivalfredonia@gmail.com, or reach out to our co-chairs: Lauren Boyle at 716-444-5434 or Greg Krauza at 716-680-2022.

WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU!

Taste • Explore • Learn • Shop The Lake Erie Grape Discovery Center is the official Visitor’s Center for the NYS Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt Heritage Area. We support and promote the Grape industry.

Visit us and learn about

FREE ADMISSION / WI-FI AVAILABLE

Bus Tours Welcome!

Meeting & Event Space Available Summer Hours: Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat 11am -5pm

8305 West Main Rd. (Rt.20) Westfield, NY 14787 (716) 326-2003 • www.grapediscoverycenter.com

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20 • Observer & Westfield Republican • June 2026

The show soon moved to the Firemen’s Fraternity grounds in Stockton, NY. In 2003, CCAEA bought 17 acres from the Fireman’s Fraternity and that is where the CCAEA currently resides today. Come join us for our shows. Follow us on Facebook and www.CCAEA.net

20. ARCADE & ATTICA RAILROAD - Step back in time aboard

the last operating steam train excursion in New York State. We’re an authentic short line railroad with the distinction of being one of the last “common carriers” - running freight and passenger trains weekly.

Your journey aboard the Arcade & Attica Railroad begins before you even board the train. As you enter the historic station, you are surrounded by the history of railroading in America. Tour our historic station and view all the exhibits, from antique railroad lanterns to switch locks and even an old switch stand. Nostalgic original photographs depict an era of days gone by. Next, you pass our authentic ticket office, where the ticket master will be glad to sell you tickets for the day’s train trip. Tour our small gift shop and snack bar while waiting to board your train. With an “all aboard,” the whistle blows, and the whoosh of the air brakes releasing can be heard.

Very soon, the engineer gets the train up to speed and you are on your way, enjoying your 90-plus-minute ride through history. Along

the way, you will see a few glimpses of the modern day; for the most part, though, the trip is through the countryside and farmlands that have remained virtually unchanged since the line was originally laid in the 1880s.

The journey into the Curriers Depot is quite enjoyable, as there is no ride like that behind a steam engine. Once at the depot, the locomotive uncouples from the train, moves onto a siding, and stops, where you are free to look at the engine, take pictures, and talk with the crew as they prepare the diesel for her return journey. As the engine begins to move once more, moving tender first the engineer blows the whistle for the crossing. The conductor throws the switch, and the engine moves forward once more to couple up with the end of the train.

With three sharp reports on the whistle, the engine slowly backs up for the return trip to Arcade. Whistling once again for the crossing, the engine picks up speed, and before you know it, you are once again immersed in nature. This time, ride on the open gondola, which is now directly in front of the engine. As the train climbs the hill, coming out of Curriers, listen to the enchanting sounds of the exhaust steam as the engine chugs on.

Finally, arriving back in Arcade, watch as they uncouple the engine from the train.

Throughout the year, we offer special excursions, some powered by our steamer, others by our vintage diesel engine. Our regular excursions run every weekend from Memorial Day Weekend until the last full weekend of September.

The month of October is Fall Foliage month, and we will be operating the Steam Engine on an extended schedule that includes two trains each day on the weekends.

Our regular passenger excursions are powered by our Steam Engine No.18 and some of our special events, along with one of our two dieselelectric locomotives, which

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are also used weekly in our freight operations. Both engines were built by General Electric at their locomotive facility in Erie, PA. The 44-ton center cab No111 was built in 1947 and delivered new to the Arcade & Attica Railroad. No112 was built in 1945 and delivered to the United States Navy. The A&A purchased the engine from the City of Colorado Springs Railroad in 1988 to supplement the ailing engine No111. History!

Enjoy yourself listening to the click of the rails and the steam whistle echoing off the rural hillsides on this little journey into the past.

May it revive pleasant memories of by-gone days for you and give to today’s generation, many of whom have never seen a steam locomotive, a window into transportation history.

As railroads were stretching across the country, the farmers of Western New York saw the perfect opportunity for a link to the big cities. Many small organizations formed that began building railroads throughout the country- side. Despite many stops and starts, railroads were built stretching across the picturesque Allegheny River valley. When the Pennsylvania Railroad wanted to connect to Buffalo they found the best way to do so would be to purchase all the small incomplete railroads and link them together.

As a result the Buffalo, Attica & Arcade Railroad was formed.

The narrow gauge line would connect Attica, through Arcade, to the Pennsylvania state line then onto Pittsburgh. In 1880 the line officially opened between Attica and Curriers Corners where our excursion stops today. The rails you ride on today were first spiked down in 1881 and standardized in 1895 to connect with the Pennsylvania Railroad.

June 2026 • Observer & Westfield Republican • 21

By 1917 the B.A.& A. Railroad was being operated by the Buffalo and Susquehanna Railroad which was thinking of closing down this section of the line. The businessmen along the B.A.& A. were very concerned. The MerrellSoule Company of Arcade (predecessor of the Borden Co.) operated a large milk processing plant and they along with others needed rail service.

Facing closure, interested parties began to raise money needed to purchase the section of line. Stock was sold to farmers, merchants and anyone else who was interested. 365 people raised $79,000 and formed the Arcade and Attica Railroad Corporation – and our story begins. The small corporation still owns the railroad today.

This railroad has never been blessed with a lot of luck.

In addition to many bankruptcies, numerous washouts have taken their toll on the tiny railroad. The largest of these washouts occurred in January of 1957 when the Tonawanda Creek flooded its banks taking several hundred feet of track with it. At that time it would have cost $72,000 to repair the damage…an amount the stockholders could not afford. In an emergency session the Board of Directors voted to suspend all operations between North Java and Attica on January 25th. Nearly all of the freight business was between Arcade and North Java anyway so it was not a difficult decision. Permission

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22 • Observer & Westfield Republican • June 2026

was granted from the ICC and the line from North Java to Attica was abandoned.

Western coaches were purchased. The line came to be known as the “Grand Scenic Route”.

The railroad has an active freight service, which has transported milk, cheese, grain, cattle, gasoline, coal and mail. Thirteen boxcars were purchased especially for carrying “Cremora” all over the nation while the Arcade Borden’s plant was in operation. The longest train ever operated by the A.&A. occurred in the 1920’s when the line handled 50 cars of “New Improved Michigan Limestone” out of Attica. With engine #5 in the lead, cars were set off at each station along the way until the train arrived at Arcade with two engines and twenty five cars. The conductor on the special was Gus Berwanger, engineer – Simeon Kilton and Rube Roblie – fireman.

Today, the railroad is still “Comin’ on Strong”. We run regular freight service and passenger excursions that include special events such as World War II Weekend, Murder Mystery Rides, Kids Themed Rides, Fall Foliage Tours, Halloween Rides, and Santa Express Trains!

One of the more interesting operations of the railroad was service to the Attica State prison. The Erie Railroad serviced that area but their engines were too big to get inside of the prison so the job came to the A&A with its smaller engines. No “extra” passengers ever took the train out of the prison due to the watchful eyes of the inspectors.

The 1930’s were boom years for the Arcade & Attica, so when the depression hit, they were able to stay afloat without laying off a single employee. Quite an enviable record! In 1941, with the advent of the diesel locomotive and the need to reduce expenses, the railroad purchased #110, a 44 ton General Electric diesel engine. The A&A became one of the very first railroads in the nation to conduct operations with diesel power! #110, the first new locomotive ever owned by the company, performed so well and cut expenses so drastically, that it literally saved the A.& A. in 1941. She became “famous”, becoming the subject of numerous ads in the trade papers.

In the late 1950’s, freight business began to slide and something had to be done in order to save the short line.

The decision was made to try steam powered passenger excursions. #18, a 1920 2-8-0 American locomotive, was purchased in 1962 from the Boyne City Railroad in Michigan along with two Delaware, Lackawanna and Western coaches. The inaugural run was on July 27 1962 for railroad officials and the press. Regular summertime excursions began in August of the same year.

During that first season of only 27 days, 17,000 paying passengers were carried in only two cars. The trains ran from morning to night.

In 1963 #14, a Baldwin 4-6-0 was purchased from the Escanaba and Lake Superior Railroad and more Delaware, Lackawanna and

Book your tickets online today at https://www.aarailroad.com/!

21. Jewelry and Coin Buyers Event July 11th & 12th, at the Lakewood American Legion in Lakewood, NY Peter and Tom both started collecting coins as teenagers.

Peter became a jeweler (now retired) and Tom became a shop teacher (soon to be retired). Peter lives in Derby and Tom lives in Angola. For them, it’s kind of like fishing: they run their ads to promote their shows and they never know what they might find. They’ve met a lot of people and made a few friends along the way and found some nice items for their collections and made a little bit.

They do this because several years ago Tom received a flyer that was mailed to his house from one of those “Top prices paid for watches, coins jewelry” etc. groups. So, Tom took an extremely nice, uncirculated, 1855 half dollar (approx. value $700) to them and pretended he got it from his grandmother. They offered him only $40! So, Pete and Tom thought “Why don’t we do that”. They don’t have any of the overhead or travel expenses so they knew they could pay more than those others offered.

They are hosting another buying event and hope you will stop in to the Lakewood American Legion, located at 174 Chautauqua Avenue in Lakewood, NY on July 11th and/or July 12th from 10am to 5pm. They were previously there had such a nice time and the members there were so friendly that they asked them to come back. They’d be glad to answer any questions even if you don’t want to sell anything! You can also feel free to call Tom or Pete at 716-949-6973 with any questions.

P.S. as their ad says, do not clean your coins because it can hurt the value – especially on a rarer coin if you have one.

So bring in your coins, jewelry, silver and gold and let them make you an offer. You may be surprised at the value of your old items.

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22. Festivals Fredonia Brings Summer to Life with 8 Great Wednesdays in the Park Summer evenings in Fredonia are about to get a whole lot better.

Festivals Fredonia is thrilled to announce the inaugural 8 Great Wednesdays in the Park, a free, family-friendly outdoor concert series running every Wednesday from July 1 through August 19, 2026 at Barker Commons in Downtown Fredonia. Grab your lawn chair, bring the kids, and get ready for eight weeks of incredible live music, great food, and the kind of warm summer nights that make small-town life so special.

Each week brings a brand-new theme and a talented local or regional act to the Barker Commons gazebo, with pre-show activities starting at 5:30 PM and music rocking the park from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. The lineup is as diverse as it is exciting: • ●July 1 — Country Night with Everett Lee & Underground Stampede

June 2026 • Observer & Westfield Republican • 23

The fun starts before the music does! Each week will feature pre-show activities including art, dance lessons, and more from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. Hungry? Enjoy tasty treats prepared by local food vendors. Raise a glass with beverages available from local alcohol vendors, and settle in for a night of pure summer fun. Admission is completely free — because good times should be for everyone.

Festivals Fredonia is also excited to welcome local non-profit organizations to participate each week. Non-profits are invited to set up a table and connect with the community in a fun, relaxed setting. Interested organizations are encouraged to reach out to us at festivalsfredoniany@gmail.com for more information.

8 Great Wednesdays in the Park is proudly sponsored by Gugino & Ryel Financial. Their generous support makes this free community event possible, and we are incredibly grateful for their partnership.

• ●July 8 — Americana Night with Unknown Legends

For the full schedule and more information, visit us at

• July 15 — Classic Rock Night with Screamin’ East

www.festivalsfredoniany.org/8-great-wednesdays-in-the-park or find us on Facebook and Instagram. Festivals Fredonia is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization in partnership with the”

• ●July 22 — Rock Night with The Freeze • July 29 — Hard Rock Night with White Bronco • August 12 — 50’s & 60’s Night with DJ Joe Gould

Village of Fredonia, the Town of Pomfret, area merchants, organizations, and volunteers. We are dedicated to providing quality events and entertainment for the Fredonia community.

• August 19 — Blues Night with Jeff Fetterman

Rain or shine — we’ll see you in the park! 🎶

• August 5 — Jazz Night with 23 SkiDoo

Fun THINGS TO DO

24 • Observer & Westfield Republican • June 2026

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