Ransomville: Fillmore Chapel celebrates 200; Flag Day Parade returns

Annual Ransomville Parade a community event

By Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

The month of June opens with some interesting happenings to check out in Ransomville.

This weekend, The Fillmore Chapel United Methodist Church celebrates its 200^th anniversary at 2523 Youngstown Wilson Road, just north of the hamlet. Pastor Anne Cole welcomes the River Region community to visit, with events taking place both days.

On Saturday, events include an open house on the church grounds from 2-4 p.m., where visitors can check out a number of historical displays, go on guided tours of the building and grounds, and purchase flowers and various items of interest. The church congregation will participate in a presentation and placement of a time capsule celebrating 200 years at 4 p.m. A community dinner follows, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., and will include hot dogs and hamburgers, salads and baked beans, with water and soft drinks provided. Freewill donations are welcome.

Sunday’s activities include an 11 a.m. worship service with Holy Communion, followed by a 12:15 p.m. coffee hour with cake and ice cream served. Pastor Anne welcomes visitors to stop by and enjoy the celebration.

Cole said, “I hope to see everybody.”

“The following weekend is Community Faire here in Ransomville. We will be at our hot dog and hamburger booth. It’s a busy couple of weeks coming up.”

For more information, visit the Fillmore website at fillmorechapel.org, or see its Facebook page.

The annual Ransomville Community Faire takes over the hamlet next Saturday, June 11, starting at 11 a.m. It is presented by Ransomville resident Ruth Anne Buzzard.

This community celebration traces its beginnings to 1969, where students of the former W.H. Stephenson elementary school celebrated Flag Day each year with a parade of the flags of all U.S. states. The annual celebration ended in 2014 with the closing of Stephenson by the Wilson School District, but returned in 2016 as a community affair organized by Buzzard, with assistance by a number of local interests.

Next Saturday, readers are invited to visit Ransomville to check out a number of community activities. Featured will be the Ransomville Flag Day Parade, which begins at the O. Leo Curtiss American Post 830 at 2589 Ransomville Road, and continues to the nearby Ransomville Free Library at 3733 Ransomville Road.

The parade will see a number of attractions along its short route. Expected is participation by the New York State Police, local veterans organizations and the U.S. Coast Guard; a presentation of all 50 U. S. flags; performances by the MacKenzie Highlanders Pipes and Drums; the BMX Bikers Dialed Action Sports presentation at 12:30 p.m.; Miss Ransomville 2022 Kelli-Lynn Wilkesmore and Ransomville Speedway; the RW & O HoJack Train float and historians’ recognition; the Ransomville Volunteer Fire Co.; Farmers Feed America displays; and antique vehicles. Ransomville Road will be closed during this time.

Attractions to check out include a plant sale by the Ransomville Garden Club beginning at 9 a.m.; the Friends of the Ransomville Library book sale at 10 a.m.; a basket auction from 10:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.; entertainment by the Niagara Power Vista; the Niagara County Sheriff’s K-9 Division; plus foods available through members of the Fillmore Chapel and the Ransomville Business Association.

For more information, visit the Niagara River Chamber of Commerce on Facebook, or contact Buzzard at 716-791-4585.