Flag Day celebration in Ransomville

Got any plans for Saturday? How about a visit out to Ransomville?

This small hamlet found on the eastern end of the Town of Porter has some neat plans shaping up with its annual Ransomville Flag Day Parade, which returns for 2021 following last year’s disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Town of Porter tradition, the event leads off at 11 a.m. June 12 at the O. Leo Curtiss American Post No. 830, 2589 Youngstown Lockport Road. It will continue to the Ransomville Free Library at 3733 Ransomville Road.

Throughout, visitors can experience some good, old-fashioned country fun. The parade itself will see patriotic flare with a celebration of flags of all 50 U.S. states by local participants donning U.S. flag facemasks, along veterans and law enforcement organizations, local elected officials, bands and community marchers.

But that’s not all. Look for two BMX bike performances scheduled to take place on the library grounds – one at 12:15 p.m., the second at 2 p.m. Following the second BMX performance, a free drawing of a BMX bicycle and helmet will be awarded for children under age 16. Organizer Ruth Anne Buzzard said the winning ticket is expected to be drawn by Ransomville’s own Krista Lynch McGillion, a former USA national champion.

Also on the library grounds will be performances of local bands the Screaming Pineapples and Step in Time, a celebration of the community’s agriculture with the Farmer’s Feed America tractor display, plus a look at some unique photos of the Ransomville community in its “Talking over the Fence as Neighbors Do” project.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we were separated from one another. The ‘Talking over the Fence as Neighbors Do’ project is a good way to reconnect and still use best social practices keeping you safe,” organizer Ruth Ann Buzzard said. “After the parade, as you are listening to the bands Screaming Pineapples and Step in Time, checking out at the tractor show or watching the BMX performances, you could look at the interesting pictures on the fence and smile.”

For more on Flag Day in Ransomville, visit the Facebook event page or contact Buzzard at 716-791-4585.