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Old Sanborn Days has free family fun

by Susan Mikula Campbell
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, July 3, 2009

Olde Sanborn Days returns to the Sanborn Volunteer Fire Co. grounds next weekend with craft booths, continuous entertainment, fun for kids, food, classic cars, vintage fire engines and a woman wielding a chainsaw.

The event, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Niagara County Central, runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 11, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 12, on the fire company grounds on Buffalo Street (Route 429), just up from Saunders Settlement Road. Parking and admission are free.

Olde Sanborn Days has featured other members of Masters of the Chainsaw in recent years, thanks to the Lewiston Council on the Arts. This year, for the first time, the person carving sculptures from three-foot tall logs on both Saturday and Sunday will be a Chainsaw Chick.

Master carver Alicia Charlton, who grew up in Canada, is now a resident of Lewiston. She started sculpting in 2000 and first tried chainsaw art in 2005.

Also new at Olde Sanborn Days will be the LCA’s Toast & Jam, hosted by entertainer Dale Campbell. The open microphone show provides a stage at the firehall bandstand both days for singers and musicians who want to show off their talent.

“Anyone who can sing or play an instrument can come out,” said Pat Sullivan, Old Sanborn Days coordinator.

Between Toast & Jam performances, a number of other acts and events are planned at the bandstand, including:

   


Chainsaw Chick Alicia Charlton.

•On Saturday – 11 a.m., the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department’s canine unit demonstration; 1 p.m., AWARE wildlife rescue program; 2 p.m., Lockport Community Band.

•On Sunday – noon, AWARE wildlife rescue program; 1 p.m., Sanborn Fire Co. Band; 2:30 p.m., Hot Country Line Dancers.

Other Saturday events:

•At 1 p.m., weather permitting, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department helicopter will land on the fire company grounds.

•From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., vintage fire trucks will be back for a second annual muster, sponsored by the Rotary, the Niagara County Volunteer Fire Chief’s Association and the Niagara County Volunteer Fireman’s Association.

From 10 a.m. to noon Saturday inside the firehall, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department will offer children’s fingerprinting and videotaping. Child car seat checks also will be available.

Other Sunday events:

•From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., there will be a custom and vintage car cruise-in on the fire company grounds, sponsored by KI-PO Motors. Hank Nevins will be broadcasting golden oldies.

•At 11 a.m., the fire company will begin a chicken chowder sale, new this year instead of a Chiavetta’s barbecue.

Events held both days:

•About 60 crafters will be displaying and selling their wares both inside the firehall and on the grounds.

•The Niagara River Anglers Association will provide its fishing tank.

•There will be a petting zoo and bounce house to keep the kids entertained.

•A basket auction will be held, with drawings at 3 p.m. Sunday.

•Local Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts will have a booth where local residents can drop off worn U.S. flags for a flag retirement ceremony at 2 p.m. Sunday.

This will be the Rotary’s 19th year holding Old Sanborn Days, Sullivan said. Proceeds benefit the Niagara County Central Rotary’s scholarship and contribution funds.

“The main thing we look at is we keep it family-oriented,” said Sullivan, noting that no alcohol is served. “So far, in 19 years, we’ve never had any problems.”