MENTZ - Celebration for the bicentennial of the town of Mentz may have kicked off two years early, but no one felt that was a reason to postpone the fun.
Festivities began Saturday for Mentz's 200th anniversary at Mentz Town Hall.
An early pancake breakfast, followed by a small parade, bands and family activities, kept visitors busy despite the rainy weather.
“After a lot of research people found out that the anniversary isn't until 2008. But that's not a problem, we can celebrate for two years,” said Barbara Black, vice president of the Port Byron Senior Citizen Organization.
Black said that the day's events were a good way to begin a series of celebrations the town will plan leading up to the actual bicentennial.
“I've lived in this area near Main Street all my life. I like to support what's going on, but too bad the weather isn't good,” Ruth Wethey said.
Different historical records show that the town formed either in 1806 and 1808, depending on how one looks at it. documents and Web sites attribute the town's actual founding to 1808, when the state changed the town's name from Jefferson to Mentz.
“This is the kickoff. We are commemorating the formation of a town. The town council wanted us to begin planning something to commemorate the anniversary,” said Mike Riley, town historian.
Saturday began with a pancake breakfast fundraiser hosted by the town fire department.
Children dressed up in old-fashioned costumes to participate in a costume parade near the town hall late in the morning.
Anna Chappell's four children participated in the parade dressed in costumes she made depicting styles worn in the 1800s.
“(We) thought it would be fun to make costumes when I heard about the costume parade,” Chappell said.
Members of the Port Byron Senior Citizen Center held a bake sale at their new center, which opened in April, and local Masons held a chicken barbecue in the afternoon
“We're trying to bring people's spirit back for the community,” said Penny Helzner, village of Port Byron historian. “This isn't anything like Canal Days, but it brings life to the canal and brings our people together.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town now has a population of almost 2,500. Helzner said the young people are moving away from the town, so it's important to offer events such as the bicentennial party.
“If you don't keep activities going, people are going to lose interest,” Helzner said.
Town officials are planning to hold more celebration events to commemorate the bicentennial in upcoming months.
Staff writer Kristina Martino can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kristina.martino@lee.net
An early pancake breakfast, followed by a small parade, bands and family activities, kept visitors busy despite the rainy weather.
“After a lot of research people found out that the anniversary isn't until 2008. But that's not a problem, we can celebrate for two years,” said Barbara Black, vice president of the Port Byron Senior Citizen Organization.
Black said that the day's events were a good way to begin a series of celebrations the town will plan leading up to the actual bicentennial.
“I've lived in this area near Main Street all my life. I like to support what's going on, but too bad the weather isn't good,” Ruth Wethey said.
Different historical records show that the town formed either in 1806 and 1808, depending on how one looks at it. documents and Web sites attribute the town's actual founding to 1808, when the state changed the town's name from Jefferson to Mentz.
“This is the kickoff. We are commemorating the formation of a town. The town council wanted us to begin planning something to commemorate the anniversary,” said Mike Riley, town historian.
Saturday began with a pancake breakfast fundraiser hosted by the town fire department.
Children dressed up in old-fashioned costumes to participate in a costume parade near the town hall late in the morning.
Anna Chappell's four children participated in the parade dressed in costumes she made depicting styles worn in the 1800s.
“(We) thought it would be fun to make costumes when I heard about the costume parade,” Chappell said.
Members of the Port Byron Senior Citizen Center held a bake sale at their new center, which opened in April, and local Masons held a chicken barbecue in the afternoon
“We're trying to bring people's spirit back for the community,” said Penny Helzner, village of Port Byron historian. “This isn't anything like Canal Days, but it brings life to the canal and brings our people together.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town now has a population of almost 2,500. Helzner said the young people are moving away from the town, so it's important to offer events such as the bicentennial party.
“If you don't keep activities going, people are going to lose interest,” Helzner said.
Town officials are planning to hold more celebration events to commemorate the bicentennial in upcoming months.
Staff writer Kristina Martino can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kristina.martino@lee.net
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