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Cattaraugus County Source 09-24-2026

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Cattaraugus Co. Vets director McCord presented Sampson Service Award PAGE 3

SEPTEMBER

24 2026

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Rise to the occasion: Essential tips for sourdough baking Warm bread fresh out of the oven is a culinary delight. Whether slathered with butter or framing a favorite sandwich, homemade bread can elevate any meal. And homemade sourdough bread is especially popular. Sourdough has been around for centuries. According to Eric Pallant, chair of the Department of Environmental Science and Sustainability at Allegheny College, and author of Sourdough Culture: The History of Bread Making from Ancient to Modern Bakers, sourdough has been around for 6,000 years, ever since breads were first baked in ancient Egypt and surrounding areas. Sourdough baking experienced a modern revival in 2020 during the global pandemic lockdowns. As people were tied to their homes for extended periods of time, many turned to cooking, crafting and baking as ways to pass the time. Due to runs on many grocery staples, home cooks propagated wild yeast starters when commercial yeast vanished from store shelves. Social media feeds were teeming with pictures and posts showcasing people’s bubbling sourdough starters and their finished baked goods. Baking sourdough is equal parts science, patience and intuition. Transforming sticky

starter into airy, crusty bread comes down to mastering a few fundamental principles. These tips will help anyone’s sourdough rise to the occasion. • Begin with a strong starter. To achieve maximum rise, starter needs to be fed consistently and used at its peak. This occurs when it has doubled or tripled in volume, shows a slightly domed surface, and is filled with small bubbles. A weak starter will not offer enough lift, so it is key to ensure the starter is active and bubbly before mixing. There are many recipes for starter on the internet, and individuals can experiment with various techniques. • Master hydration. High-hydration doughs produce beautiful, open crumb structures that

can be found all over social media. However, they are notoriously sticky and difficult to handle. According to Amy Bakes Bread, hydration simply means the amount of water compared to the flour in the dough, expressed as a percentage. When starting out, a person should stick to a manageable 65 to 70 percent hydration level. Lower hydration allows a person to practice shaping and build confidence. • Rely on visual clues. Fermentation is where flavor and structure develop. It is heavily influenced by ambient temperature. Instead of following a rigid timer, one should rely on visual cues. The dough is ready when it increases in volume by around 30 to 50 percent, feels light and airy, shows smooth surface bubbles, and

holds a mild jiggle when a person shakes the bowl.

• Harness the steam. Irresistible sourdough crust requires intense heat and trapped steam. Steam will keep the outer skin of the dough soft during the first few minutes of baking, allowing the loaf to expand fully before the crust sets. This can be achieved by using a preheated Dutch oven with the lid on. It will create a high-humidity environment, according to Flour Water Salt Yeast: The Fundamentals of Artisan Bread and Pizza, by Ken Forkish.

Baking delicious sourdough is a journey of continuing education. Individuals can experiment with different techniques as they hone their skills.

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September 24, 2026

In this week’s edition: Carnival rides return to Falling Leaves Festival, coming Oct. 2-4 See page 6

Cattaraugus Co. Vets director McCord presented Sampson Service Award BY KELLEN M. QUIGLEY

LITTLE VALLEY — For his service and dedication to the veterans of Cattaraugus County and their families, Steve E. McCord received the John B. Sampson Service Officer of the Year Award. McCord, director of the Veterans Service Agency, was presented the award July 17 at The American Legion Department of New York 108th Convention held in Syracuse. On Wednesday, the Cattaraugus County Legislature presented McCord with a recognition congratulating him on the award and thanking him for his years of dedication in the county. “He runs a great department and he looks out for our veterans, going above and beyond the call of duty in running his department,” said Chairman M. Andrew

Burr on behalf of the Legislature. “You couldn’t find an easier guy to get along with and work with.”

colleagues and county residents. “This is a small recognition of what we all do.” The Sampson Service Award is bestowed upon an individual in recognition of outstanding professional proficiency in their critical role as a service officer in a county agency and for their superior advocacy skills and personal initiative embodying the high standard of an accredited representative of The American Legion.

McCord has served as the county’s veterans services director since May 2012. In this capacity, he has been a strong advocate for veterans and assisted thousands of veterans, military personnel and their dependents, providing innovative services and programs to meet their ever-changing requirements, the recognition stated. For over 14 years, McCord has assisted veterans with their needs involving compensation, pension, medical, insurance, military records/medals/ awards, home loan guaranties, education and vocational rehabilitation, employment burial benefits and federal grave markers, to name just a few. “We appreciate all our efforts, we

Photo by Kellen M. Quigley Steve E. McCord (left), director of the Cattaraugus County Veterans Service Agency, is congratulated by Legislature Chairman M. Andrew Burr for receiving the John B. Sampson Service Officer of the Year Award at The American Legion Department of New York 108th Convention.

appreciate your stewardship and you’re an exemplary model of public service, and we all appreciate it,” Burr

added. “Steve, thank you for your service.” “I think everyone in here is in here

because they believe in our county and in our people,” McCord said in the Legislative chambers before

The award is named for the late John Sampson, a Vietnam-era veteran from Salamanca who served in the U.S. Navy. Sampson made his mark as an accredited director of Veterans Affairs with the Veterans Service Office for Cattaraugus County, holding the position for 22 years. He was also the first state commander from Cattaraugus County in the Legion’s history.

Randolph, other local FFA members take home wins from state fair as school begins Livestock competitions in 2025, 2024 and 2023 and the competing members traveled to the National Competitions.

BY DEB EVERTS RANDOLPH — Eight high school students started their school year off by not attending school on the first day.

“We are also celebrating our third State Tractor Driver win and will be heading to the Big E (Eastern States Exposition) next week, with Nick Beaver representing New York,” she said. “We have gotten third in Meat Evaluation and Agriculture Communications. Olivia (Shawley) won Creed speaking last year and we have done really well in Welding. We have gone to the Big E for Dairy Judging and Livestock as well.”

As the school year began Sept. 3, FFA members from Randolph, Pine Valley, Falconer and CattaraugusLittle Valley central schools were competing in the State Dairy Evaluation contest at the New York State Fair in Syracuse. Arissa Hitchcock, FFA advisor and agriculture teacher at Randolph, said the students who made up two competition teams were a mix of sophomores, juniors and seniors. Team 1 included senior Kaleb Durow, Randolph; senior Caden Herman, Pine Valley; junior Evie Woodis, Cattaraugus Little Valley; and junior Grady Steward, Randolph. Members of Team 2 included sophomore Braeleigh Potter, Randolph; junior Anna Carlberg, Falconer; sophomore Alex Spinler, Randolph; and senior Brenden Reding, Randolph. Hitchcock said the group traveled to Syracuse Wednesday and walked around the fairgrounds, then got settled in at their dorms, studied and checked out the cows. She said they also had to wait out the severe storms that came through before competing Thursday. According to Hitchcock, 79 FFA members competed, making up 23 teams. Team 1, from Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties, was the fourth team overall, with Caden taking 10th place

Photo provided Eight FFA members from the Randolph, Pine Valley, Falconer and Cattaraugus-Little Valley school districts recently competed in the State Dairy Evaluation contest at the New York State Fair in Syracuse. FFA members include (from left) Anna Carlberg, Falconer; Evie Woodis, Cattaraugus-Little Valley; Braeleigh Potter, Randolph; Caden Herman, Pine Valley; Kaleb Durow, Brenden Reding, Alex Spinler and Grady Steward, all of Randolph.

(individual), Evie 12th and Grady 20th. She said Team 2, with Anna, Braeleigh, Alex and Brenden, also did well, with Anna placing 21st and the team taking 12th place.

In preparation for the state competition, Hitchcock said the students had a practice at the high school in Randolph for any students who wanted to come. She

“They judged six classes, did two sets of reasons (explaining their placing to a judge), did a team test on Dairy knowledge and Team 1 gave a presentation on Reproduction & Genetics as consultants for a farm,“ she said. “It was a long day, but we walked away with our heads held high.”

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said they also practiced at the Chautauqua and Cattaraugus county fairs as well. “Most of these students are around dairy, show dairy

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and/or work with them, so they were ready,” she said. Under the direction of Hitchcock, who is beginning her fifth year of teaching, Randolph FFA has won State

This year Hitchcock’s ag class will be offering Animal Science, Farm to Table, Vet Science, Ag Science, Dairy/ Equine, CDE/LDE (Career & Leadership Development). Plus, the class is offering another year of Distance Learning with Falconer and independent studies with Pine Valley and Cattaraugus Little Valley schools. She encourages ag students to join FFA. “This year, we hope to continue to travel, compete, learn, be hands-on and experience agriculture in a fun way and realize how much it surrounds us,” she said.


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September 24, 2026

Cattaraugus County DA announces August grand jury indictments BY KELLEN M. QUIGLEY

LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County District Attorney Ashley E. Smith announced the following indictments by the Cattaraugus County Grand Jury for the month of August. George M. Diamantes was indicted on Aug. 13 for driving while intoxicated, a class D felony; first-degree

aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a class E felony; operating vehicle without interlock device, a class A misdemeanor; and consumption of alcohol in motor vehicle, an infraction. The indictment states that on or about Oct. 16, 2025, in the town of Machias, Diamantes operated a motor vehicle on a public highway while

he was in an intoxicated condition and operated a motor vehicle on a public roadway when he knew or had reason to know that his license or privilege of operating a motor vehicle in New York state was suspended or revoked as a result of an alcohol related offense. The indictment also states that Diamantes operated a motor vehicle that was not equipped with an ignition interlock

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device and unlawfully possessed an open container containing an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle on a public highway of this state. Dana E. John was indicted on Aug. 27 for second-degree grand larceny, a class C felony. The indictment states that between July 2021 and October 2023, throughout Cattaraugus County, John stole property whose value exceeded $50,000. Richard A. Smith was indicted on Aug. 27 for two counts of sex offender registry violation, a class E felony.

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Nicholas R. Davey was indicted on Aug. 27 for three counts of sex offender registry violation, a class E felony. The indictment states that between Nov. 5, 2025, and Feb. 23, 2026, and between Dec. 10, 2025, and Feb. 23, 2026,

in Cattaraugus County, Davey, a registered sex offender, failed to register with Division of Criminal Justice and verify in a manner within the time periods provided for in this article on each anniversary of his initial registration date during the period in which he is required to register, to wit, failed to report address change/status in 10 days. John D. Westfall was indicted on Aug. 27 for third-degree burglary, a class D felony. The indictment states that on or about Jan. 31, in Franklinville, Westfall knowingly entered or remained unlawfully in a building, with intent to commit a crime therein.

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2023, and May 13, 2026, in Cattaraugus County, Smith, a registered sex offender, failed to register with Division of Criminal Justice and verify in a manner within the time periods provided for in this article on each anniversary of his initial registration date during the period in which he is required to register, to wit, failed to report address change/status in 10 days.

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Conventional wisdom has long suggested adults should drink eight glasses of water each day, but the Mayo Clinic notes daily water consumption recommendations depend on variables that are unique to each individual. For example, people who engage in activities that make them sweat, like exercise, will need to

consume extra water to make up for the loss of fluid. Water consumption needs also may change with the seasons, as people are more likely to lose fluid when temperatures are high and cause people to sweat than they are when temperatures are moderate or low. The Mayo Clinic notes high altitudes can increase the risk for dehydration,

which may require people in high altitude locations to drink more water each day. People dealing with certain medical conditions, including bladder or urinary infections, or illnesses that cause fluid loss due to vomiting or diarrhea also may need to consume extra water each day to avoid dehydration.

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July 2, 2026

Why an insulated attic is a good attic As homeowners address energy efficiency around their homes, they may want to put attics at the top of their list. Because heat naturally rises during the winter and also infiltrates the roof during the summer, a roof with insufficient insulation can be energy inefficient. Many experts attest that upgrading attic insulation is a practical and cost-effective home improvement. A desire to reduce energy bills is a primary motivator when installing attic insulation. Data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® program says homeowners can save an average of 15 percent on heating and cooling costs, or roughly 11 percent on their total energy bills, by air sealing and insulating attics and crawl spaces. Standalone attic insulation projects frequently achieve high rates of return. Beyond financial matters, attic insulation also creates a more comfortable and stable indoor climate. Attic insulation will buffer the interior from extreme temperature swings. This can help preserve the integrity of the home. In cold climates, attic

and burn less fuel insulation will limit the occurrence of ice locally. dams, which form at the eaves when heat Attic insulation may inside living spaces not be as glamorous escapes to the roof. Ice dams can cause water to back up under shingles and even tear away gutters. The U.S. Department of Energy indicates residential and commercial buildings combined account for 40 percent of the nation’s total energy consumption. By utilizing attic insulation and creating a proper thermal barrier, homes can draw less power from regional grids

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Device usage strategies to help parents corral kids’ screen time Parents of school-aged children are likely aware of the impact of screens on modern youngsters. Screens are used extensively in many schools, and children also use devices while at home. In fact, a report on screen usage released by the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office in May 2026 indicated that pre-teen and teenaged children use screens an average of linked to excessive four or more hours per screen use, data from day. the DHHS indicates average daily screen use Exposure and over- increases as kids age. exposure to screens can Parents of children be detrimental to chil- growing up in the digital dren. The United States era know keeping kids Department of Health off screens is no small and Human Services task. However, some notes that screen use simple strategies can in early life is linked to help parents corral kids’ poorer language out- screen usage so it does comes. In addition, ex- not reach unhealthy and cessive screen usage even harmful levels. among school-aged children has been linked to • Utilize parenpoor educational and tal control features. health outcomes. The Smartphones, tablets DHHS also notes that and gaming consoles screen usage among teen- typically feature paagers may be making rental control managethem vulnerable to men- ment tools that allow tal health and behavioral parents to set times limissues that can extend its on kids’ screen usbeyond adolescence and age. Parents are urged to into adulthood. speak with their child’s pediatrician to identify Despite the dangers a healthy daily screen

to forgo their screens for fun activities that don’t involve devices.

usage limit. Once that limit is identified, parents can employ the built-in parental control functions on smartphones and tablets to ensure kids are not spending too much time on their devices. • Provide engaging alternatives. It’s crucial that parents provide reasonable alternatives to screens. In fact, the DHHS recommends parents delay screen time as long as possible. Alternatives to screens may include more frequent play dates with friends or activities that encourage kids to interact with parents and siblings. Board game nights, nightly walks after dinner and outdoor recreation in the backyard can incentivize kids

Upcoming Events To add an event, email the details to salamancapress@gmail. com. Include “Out & About” in email subject line.

• Saturday, Sept 26 - National Public Lands Day: 9:00 AM at Allegany State Park (Quaker Area). A great family volunteer and outdoor educational event to help maintain the county’s pristine natural spaces. • Sunday, Sept 27 Harvest Festival: 2:00 PM at Bliss Summit Bible Camp in Bliss, NY. A completely free outdoor family event with pumpkin painting, face painting, a pumpkin launcher, carnival yard games, a campfire, and light seasonal desserts. • Saturday Oct 3 7th Annual Harvest Day: 10:00 AM at Rusty Rooster Farm & Vintage in Portville, NY. A free community appreciation event with antique fresh apple cider pressing, donuts, funnel cakes, face painting, and door prizes. • Saturday, Oct 3 - The Wild West Fall Fest: 12:00 PM at Living Waters Circle C Ranch in Delevan, NY. A family-focused day featuring a 10-acre corn maze, pony rides, hayrides, rock wall climbing, and lasertron. Admission is free. • Saturday Oct 10 Annual Fall Festival: 11:00 AM at Arcade United Church of Christ in Arcade, NY. A classic indoor hometown gathering with homemade chicken and beef chowder sales, a handmade quilt raffle,

huge basket auctions, reverse bingo, and fresh baked goods.

Family Play Zone in Limestone, NY. A casual social evening hosted by Starbridge • Saturday, Oct 10 with free pizza and - Flannel Fest!: 2:00 drinks, designed for PM at Kissing Bridge local families to connect All Seasons Resort in while kids enjoy the Glenwood, NY. Features play equipment. a live lumberjack show, axe throwing, scenic • Weekend Chairlift autumn chairlift rides, a Rides at Holiday chicken BBQ, cider and Valley: Running donuts, and a hilltop Saturdays and Sundays fire pit for s’mores. Free in September. Located admission. at Holiday Valley Resort in Ellicottville, • Saturday & NY. Families and leafSunday, Oct 10 & peepers can ride the 11 - Ellicottville’s Fall Mardi Gras chairlift to Festival: Held villagethe top of the mountain wide in Ellicottville, to enjoy spectacular NY. Western New autumn views, crisp York’s premier autumn air, and access to hilltop celebration transforms hiking and mountain the town into an openbiking trails. air marketplace. It pairs vibrant foliage hikes • Red House Sawmill and chairlift rides at History Sundays: the resorts with a lively Repeating select four-block street festival Sundays through early filled with unique arts, Autumn from 10:00 crafts, and local food AM to 12:00 PM. Meet vendors. at the historic sawmill on the Red House side of • Saturday, Oct Allegany State Park. A 24 - 2026 EVL Half casual outdoor historical Marathon & 5K: walk hosted by the Starting in downtown Friends of Allegany Ellicottville, NY. A State Park, exploring the festive, Halloweenregion’s timber heritage themed road and amidst early fall foliage. trail race that draws runners of all abilities. • Guided Nature The course takes Walks & Ancient athletes past gorgeous Falconry: Ongoing fall landscapes, and seasonal dates through participants are highly October. Hosted by encouraged to run in American Hawkeye at costume. their foothills location in Ellicottville, NY. • Family Fun at the Active nature lovers can Play Zone: Repeating book hands-on “Hawk regularly on select Walks” and forest treks Wednesdays through to experience wildlife mid-November 2026 conservation firsthand at 4:30 PM at the while hiking the Limestone YMCA Allegheny terrain.

• Use your router to suspend internet access. It’s easy for parents to monitor their kids’ screen time while everyone is awake, but many kids now spend time they should be sleeping using their devices from bed. Kids may be chatting with friends, scrolling platforms like YouTube or scouring social media after bedtime. Parents may lament that there’s little they can do when kids are behind closed bedroom doors, but administrator functions on many routers enable users to temporarily suspend internet access. Parents can use this function, which turns wireless networks off at a given time, to reduce the risks that kids will spend time on the internet after bedtime.

September 24, 2026

Sheriff’s office offering hunter safety class Sunday RANDOLPH — The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting a Hunter Safety Education Class for the gun portion only from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Randolph Rod & Gun Club, 4424 VanSlyke Road.

There is no charge for the class. Participants must attend this one day of instruction to receive a certificate. It is preferable that participants be at least 12 years of age. If a parent wants an 11-year-old to take the class, the parent must Screen time poses a unique challenge for par- attend and sit with the ents of school-aged chil- child on that day. dren. Various strategies can help parents find a Class size will be balance that does not adlimited to 35 students. versely affect kids’ development or their mental Those attending must and physical health. bring some form of

identification such as a driver’s license, birth certificate, etc., and a pen or pencil. Participants should also bring snacks, lunch and something to drink. Lunch is also available within 15 minutes of class location. Pre-registration is required. Students need to register at https://decals.events. east.licensing.app/em/ programs/17?search%5 Blocation_string% 5D=14772&search% 5Blocation_ radius%5D=10 &commit=Search. Any questions, contact the sheriff’s office or the Department of Environmental Conservation at (716) 372-0645. Homework must be completed prior to the classes.


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September 24, 2026

Carnival rides return to Falling Leaves Festival, coming Oct. 2-4 BY DEB EVERTS

Sounds” of DJ J.D. Gardner, Friday and Saturday.

SALAMANCA — The annual Salamanca-Seneca Falling Leaves Festival kicks off at Jefferson Street Park Oct. 2 and runs through Oct. 4, promising plenty of excitement for all ages.

Friday’s music entertainment under the tent will include the band Iron Eyes Experience at 3 p.m. and JJ White & The Mojo Sauce at 6 p.m. The Stone Cold band will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Co-sponsored by the City of Salamanca and the Seneca Nation, the free event begins Friday at 11 a.m. and continues all weekend, featuring live entertainment, arts and crafts, tasty food, a parade on Main Street and free carnival rides at Sycamore Park. And thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Seneca Nation Council, the carnival rides are back, Salamanca Mayor Sandy Magiera shared. “One company we previously hired wanted more money, and they also wanted the kids to pay for their rides. As in past years, we wanted something the kids could ride for free,” she said. “With the cost of everything up these days, many families can’t afford to attend the fairs and festivals. We have free rides and entertainment, so everybody can enjoy the festival.” This year’s festival will feature some new attractions, along with old favorites and a great lineup of new bands for musical entertainment. As people browse the craft and food selections, they will be entertained by the “Rez Road

SalamancaSeneca 11am-8pm 12pm-3pm 3pm-5pm 4pm-8pm 6pm-9pm

“This year, we will have two Shriner mini-car groups — one from Gowanda and the Zem Zem Hornets from Warren, Pa. The Northern PA Ghostbusters will be back again this year, as well as the 96th Highlanders Pipes and Drums, she said. “The Seneca Dancers will be at the end of the parade and will perform in front of the reviewing stand on Broad Street right after the parade.”

Saturday will include a Pumpkin Giveaway for kids at the information tent from noon until the pumpkins are gone. The new activity will have kids scrambling to get a free pumpkin. The Scarecrow Contest is back again and will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday. Registration deadline is Sept. 30, and details are on the festival’s Facebook page. Interested participants should email salamancasenecafallfest@ outlook.com. Also on Saturday, there will be a Youth Archery Competition behind the Holy Cross Club at 11 a.m. and Hometown Games for all ages from 5 to 6 p.m. in the park. Sponsored by Friends of the Salamanca Youth Center, there will be free activities including a petting zoo, face painting and balloon animals, both Saturday and Sunday, from 1 to 5 p.m. Kids can climb, slide and bounce on the inflatable rides located on the front lawn of the Community Action building all three days. Magiera said the festival committee tries to bring in more activities to highlight

File photo The annual Salamanca Seneca Falling Leaves Festival kicks off Oct. 2 at 11 a.m. and runs through Oct. 4. The free, three-day event will feature favorites from past years and new attractions this year. Shown from a previous year, a young girl gets a thrill on the super-fast Giant Slide.

Seneca culture each year, and they keep finding more and more people who want to get involved. Led by Hilton JohnnyJohn, the White Pine Dancers will perform Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. and again Sunday from 2:303 p.m. From 3:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday, kids will have the opportunity to enjoy a puppet show performed by Seneca-Iroquois National Museum puppeteer Kari Kennedy, who will entertain the kids with a show adapted from traditional Seneca stories.

Those looking for lots of live action are invited to hop on the mechanical bull Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and again Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Sunday, from 4-6 p.m., watch professional wrestlers take down their opponents at the Xcite Wrestling event.

THE HIGHLIGHT of Sunday will be the Grand Parade at 1 p.m. led by the Honor Guard of American Legion Post #1587 in Irving. Donna Raahauge, committee member and

Falling Leaves Festival FRIDAY, OCT. 2ND Vendors & Food DJ Gardner, “Rez Road Sound” Iron Eyes Experience Bounce About Inflatables JJ White & The Mojo Sauce

SATURDAY, OCT. 3RD 11am-1pm Youth Archery Contest 11am-8pm Vendors, Food, Inflatable & Carnival Attractions 11am-6pm DJ Gardner, “Rez Road Sound” 12pm-1pm White Pine Dancers 12pm-Gone Pumpkin Giveaway - Kids Only 12pm-5pm Mechanical Bull 12pm-7pm Basket Raffle 1:30pm-3pm Neon Entertainment - Survey Game 2pm-7pm Native Art Demo - Lyle Logan 3pm-5pm Scarecrow Contest 3:30pm-4:30pm Native American Puppet Show Kari Kennedy 5pm-6pm Hometown Games 6:30pm-9:30pm Stone Cold Band - Live SUNDAY, OCT. 4TH 10:30am Community Church Service 11am-6pm Vendors, Food, Inflatable & Carnival Attractions 11am-4pm Mechanical Bull 12pm-5pm Basket Raffle - Drawing at 5pm 1pm-2pm Grand Parade 2:30pm-3pm White Pine Dancers 4pm-6pm XCITE Wrestling

parade organizer, said Mayor Magiera and Tina Abrams, longtime Seneca Nation leader, will ride together and follow them. The parade will start at the old Dudley Hotel area, then head down Main Street. A tent will be set up across from the Dudley at 10 a.m. for check-in. Raahauge recommends people assemble across the street from the hotel from 11:30 a.m. to noon, and no later than 12:30 p.m. Atlantic Street will be closed to traffic (except for parade units) from Main Street to Chestnut Street.

Magiera said people are encouraged to bring their vintage and classic vehicles of all makes and models to participate in the parade. Raahauge said they have invited people with Jeep Wranglers to also join the parade. Anyone interested in participating in the parade or volunteering should contact Raahauge at (716) 3785468 or email draahauge@ salamancany.org as soon as possible. Organized by a committee of long-time festival volunteers, the festival has drawn residents and visitors from across the region for nearly 50 years. Magiera said it’s a great way for the community and its neighbors to get together. For a full schedule of activities and vendor applications, visit the Salamanca Seneca Falling Leaves Festival’s Facebook page or the chamber’s website at salamancachamber.org.

October 2nd, 3rd & 4th Jefferson Park, 11 Broad St., Salamanca

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