Salamanca Celebrates 100 Years
One hundred years after the city of Salamanca was officially incorporated on May 14, 1913, the city plans to celebrate the occasion with a collection of centennial-themed events.
The centennial celebration, coordinated by a group of area volunteers, will be highlighted by a weekend of events on May 18-19, culminating with a parade and birthday party on May 19.
Recognition of the city’s centennial will begin on Tuesday, May 14 at 3 p.m., when Mayor Carmen Vecchiarella and other civic leaders will host a ceremony outside the Ronald J. Yehl Municipal Building on Wildwood Avenue.
The weekend celebration begins on Saturday, May 18 at the United Congregational Methodist Church from 8-10 a.m., when the church will host a breakfast featuring eggs, hashbrowns, sausage and more. Adults are $6, children ages 4-5 are $3 and those under 4 are free.
The Salamanca Area Historical Museum at the corner of Main and Atlantic Streets will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature its new “Faces Through History” exhibit, a collection of portraits representing area friends, family and neighbors of the past 100 years.
The Ray Evans Seneca Theatre on Main Street will host a fundraiser from 1 to 4 p.m. with old photos on display, Chinese auction, raffles and music. Among the musical entertainment will be a Ray Evans tribute from 3 to 4 p.m. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to aid in the repair of the theater’s seating.
The American Legion Post 535 on Wildwood Avenue will host a Centennial Dance from 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturday night with live music from Gone Country. There is a $2 cover charge for the event.
On Sunday, May 19, the Sons of the American Legion will host breakfast at 8 a.m. at the American Legion with proceeds going to benefit local girl scouts.
Jefferson Street Park will feature a birthday party on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Entertainment in the park will include music from Ed Bentley (Noon to 1 p.m.), Allegany Alumni & Friends Band (1 to 2 p.m.); Good Ole Boys (3 to 5 p.m.) and a live remote broadcast from WGWE from noon to 2 p.m. The singing of “Happy Birthday” and the serving of birthday cake will take place following the parade, and various food and other vendors will be present.
The parade, scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m., will begin near the Atlantic/Main Street intersection and end at Jefferson Street Park.
In addition, Meg Johnston and Jim Ieda will perform a concert at the United Congregational Methodist Church at 3 p.m., with tickets set at $5 to benefit the Friends of the Salamanca Youth Center.
The celebration weekend will conclude on Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m. with a “1913 Family Fun Night” at the Dudley Hotel. The event will feature a $19.13 dinner-for-four special, a 1913 trivia contest and other themed activities.
The Centennial Parade will also incorporate the city’s Memorial Day Parade, which would have been scheduled for the following week; local veterans are both welcome and encouraged to march in the parade. The city’s veterans organizations will still host a traditional Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 27.
Any veterans interested in marching in the parade are asked to call Donna Raahauge at (716) 378-5468. Any businesses or organizations that would like to host an event the weekend of May 18-19 or set up a table in the park on Sunday or anyone interested in volunteering is asked to call the Seneca Salamanca Chamber of Commerce at (716) 945-2034 or The Salamanca Press at (716) 945-1644.
Vendors interested in being part of the centennial birthday party can find an application online at SalamancaChamber.org.
For more information on this event please visit http://SalamancaChamber.org
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