Cambria’s birthday bash fills weekend

Philadelphia ‘Mummers’ march in parade

by Susan Mikula Campbell
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, July 24, 2008

George J. Bush isn’t planning to get much sleep this weekend.

As chairman of the Cambria Bicentennial Committee, he will be spending all his time at the Niagara County Community College campus where the “Balloons Over Niagara” event will celebrate his town’s 200-year history.

The allure of the hot air balloons has been hogging much of the press for this event, but in reality, balloons only fly in the early morning and evening hours when winds are calmer. In between and after those hours, the weekend is jam-packed with family-oriented events.

On Friday, there will be events organized by NCCC, including the balloons, food and a foot race. Cambria takes the cake on Saturday, with the help of NCCC. A family could arrive at 6 a.m. for the balloon launch and not get everything done by 9:45 p.m. when it’s time to light up the birthday candles (fireworks). There’s a parade, food, activities, music and plenty of interesting things to see, Bush said.

Cambria’s party continues Sunday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., with more of the same, as well as a classic car show with DJ Hank Nevins spinning songs of the ’50s and ’60s.

Bush said work on the town’s party began two years ago. Over that time, “it kept getting bigger,” he said.

“With the increasing cost of gas, it’s a relatively low-budget entertainment close to home,” said Cambria Supervisor Wright H. Ellis.

Ellis expects a big turnout, noting the event will attract not just Town of Cambria residents, but all area residents.

He commended the hard work of town committee members. “This is the end product. We anticipate it will be worthy recognition of 200 years of history in the Town of Cambria.”

Cambria actually was born on March 11, 1808, when Thomas Jefferson was president. The town did have a small bicentennial celebration this year on March 9, but the event was preceded by 24 inches of snow. The committee, knowing the vagaries of local weather, had wisely planned in advance to save its big birthday bash for summer.

Niagara County’s bicentennial also is woven into this event, and since Niagara County at that time included Erie County, Clarence also is celebrating its bicentennial this year. Interestingly, the first meeting held for the Town of Cambria centered on a wolf problem in the town, and that’s why a wolf is included in the town’s bicentennial logo, Bush said. Even the British couldn’t beat down Cambria. During the War of 1812, the redcoats burned Lewiston and were marching toward Rochester, but were stopped, where else – in Cambria.

A history like that deserves some special celebration and that’s what the weekend will provide. Even out-of-towners are getting into the act.

Bush was surprised when the famous “Mummers” from Philadelphia called and asked to be a part of the celebration. They had learned about it from the town’s Web site. The Mummers’ All Star String Band will be a special guest in the 4:30 p.m. parade on Saturday and will offer a concert from 6 to 7 p.m. The group is comprised of representatives of the 18 bands that compete on New Year’s Day in Philadelphia and will perform in a variety of costumes worn in previous Mummers’ parades.

“It will just be a very unique entertainment for Western New York people who haven’t seen them or heard of them,” Ellis said.

History buffs can check out the Tuscarora Nation display, visit with Civil War re-enactors or watch a tinsmith in action.

The historical section of the festivities will include a glimpse into the lives of the seven Sutherland Sisters as presented by the Niagara County Historical Society at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. The sisters, renowned worldwide in the late 1800s for their long, flowing hair and musical talent, lived in an ornate mansion on Ridge Road in Cambria.

Food ranges from pancake breakfasts both Saturday and Sunday mornings to chicken barbecue, roast beef sandwiches and chowder offered for sale by various fire companies. Arts, crafts and flea market items also will be available for sale, as well as bicentennial shirts.

Most events and activities, as well as parking are free.

Parking is available on campus, and if that fills up, overflow parking with a shuttle bus will be available at the nearby Niagara-Orleans BOCES and the Sanborn Fire Hall, Bush said. A special handicapped parking area also will be available.

Visitors will be given a pamphlet as they arrive which will include a map of the campus and a schedule of events.

For more information and a complete event listing, go online at www.townofcambria.com.