Preparations continue for Wheatfield Family Picnic

by Ralph Schwarz
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, May 13, 2004

With recent warm temperatures already giving a first taste of summer, preparations for the 28th annual Wheatfield Family Picnic are running high to make this area happening another success.

Set to take place on Saturday, July 17, and Sunday, July 18, at Fairmount Park, this year's edition of the event will feature a mix of old and new attractions the whole family can enjoy.

"Things are in good shape," said Paul O'Day, a member of the Picnic Planning Committee, at the committee's May 4 meeting. "There still may be some loose ends, but it's coming together."

As in the past, the picnic will include plenty of family games, auctions, giveaways, food and entertainment. Returning after a one-year absence will be the Town of Wheatfield Firearms Safety Education & Conservation Committee. Chaired by Alan Zamorski, the committee will set up its educational fishing pond on Saturday and teach children how to catch and to release fish. On Sunday, the committee will host a wild turkey calling contest as well as workshops for children on how to build a birdhouse.

Kids Fest Expanded

Speaking of the little ones, the 2004 Family Picnic promises to be bigger and better with an expanded schedule for the Kids Fest, which will now take place on both days.

"We will be going with a beach theme," said O'Day, who co-chairs the Kids Fest sub-committee together with his wife, Sue. "We're going to have limbo-dance and hula-hoop contests and other beach-related activities."

Other popular items returning to the Kids Fest include a ring toss, a ping-pong ball test and a balance beam. New this year will be a rock-climbing wall, which will be available on both days of the event.

In addition to food and refreshments offered by five local restaurants, the picnic will also feature 14-ounce root-beer floats served in decorative plastic mugs served on Saturday prior to and after the pig roast, which is scheduled for 4 p.m. A "Record Hop" set to start at 6 p.m. will conclude Saturday's activities.

'Wheel of Wheatfield' Car Show

Car lovers can look forward to the "Wheels of Wheatfield" car show, another new attraction added to the picnic. Scheduled for Sunday, the show will feature a dazzling display of vintage and rare cars as well as some of the customized modern-day vehicles.

"If we're lucky, we might get 50 to 60 cars," said Marshal Chapin, chairman of the car show sub-committee.

Also confirmed for this year's event are a live karate demonstration by Project Future, the Oldies 104.1 prize-wheel and a special performance by the Bergholz German Band.

Wheatfield residents should make sure to check out the 2004 Picnic Program booklet, which will be delivered to their homes in upcoming weeks, for more information on the picnic's schedule.

This year's booklet features a re-designed all-color cover, showing the new picnic logo created by Deidre Evans, an art teacher from Colonial Village Elementary School. The logo depicts an individual wearing an apron while flipping a burger on a smoking grill under a blue sky. Also incorporated are the images of a sports car and a record player, which stand for the car show and the record hop. The Picnic Committee approved the logo during its May 4 meeting.

Securing Sponsorships

Although the planning and organizing of the various picnic activities occupies most of the different sub-committees' time and attention, attracting sponsors and raising funds play an equal important role for the Family Picnic's Advertising Committee.

Consisting of Chairperson Judy Ponzi, Vice Chairperson Tracey Gurnett, Michael Gurnett, Sandy Sledziewski, Paul and Sue O'Day, and Rich and Wendy Crossley, the committee took on the task of revising the fund-raising structure to ensure both quality and future of this popular event.

In addition to actively reaching out to the Wheatfield business community as well as to businesses outside the area, the committee established a new sponsoring program for individuals, businesses, groups and organizations. With levels of contribution ranging from a $250 gold sponsorship to $200 silver and $150 bronze sponsorships, the group already secured sponsorships from a number of local and area businesses.

Goal Exceeded

"The response was tremendous," Ponzi said, adding that the committee exceeded its own goal of $5,000 by 175 percent and last year's sponsorship total by 65 percent.

"This should give us a very good picnic," she said.

As of press time, the following companies have been confirmed as Family Picnic sponsors:

• Gold sponsors: Sevenson Environmental Services Inc.; Sil Barone Builders; Home Depot of Amherst.
• Silver sponsors: Matrix Imaging Solutions Inc.; Lovell Safety Management Co.; Wendel Duchscherer Engineering; Calamar Development-The Woodlands.
• Bronze sponsors: David Gross Contracting Corp.

"Our success can be attributed to the true team effort of the entire committee, who reached out and partnered with the town of Wheatfield and surrounding communities and businesses," Ponzi said.

The Wheatfield Family Picnic Committee always welcomes new ideas as well as volunteer help.

For more information or to submit any ideas, contact Committee Chairman Michael Gurnett at 692-9076 or Rich Crossley at 731-2864.