One year ago today, an EF-2 tornado touched down in Hamburg, taking a path that directly crossed the Erie County Fairgrounds. This was one of four confirmed tornadoes that occurred during the storm. Estimated wind speeds reaching 115 mph caused millions of dollars in damage just weeks before opening day of the 2017 Erie County Fair. Hundreds of people consisting of fairgrounds staff, private contractors and dedicated volunteers worked nonstop during a 20-day period to ensure the fair would open as scheduled.
To commemorate the communitywide effort to rebuild after the storm, Nick Charlap's Ice Cream will offer small "twist" soft-serve ice cream cones for 50 cents. The cones will be on sale exclusively at the Village of Hamburg location of Nick Charlap's Ice Cream located at the Clark Street and South Park Avenue traffic circle from 2-5 p.m.
Charlap's has been a partner of the Erie County Fair for more than 40 years. In 1961, dairy farmer Henry Charlap along with his father, Nicholas, his uncle, Leo Mrugala, and his brother-in-law, Louis Fronczak, purchased an existing dairy in North Boston and began make fresh dairy products using locally sourced milk. Originally just a rural farm and dairy, Charlap's soon became famous for its creamy rich ice cream. Henry's son, Nicholas, took over the business in the 2000s.
