This Friday and Saturday, Port Byron will celebrate its heritage and kick off the Town of Mentz bicentennial celebration.

Port Byron Heritage days are a way to keep people interested in the village itself, said Town of Mentz historian Penny Helzer.

“A lot of families get together for this, and you get to see people who you haven't seen for awhile,” Helzer said. “They get to learn what was happening here in the 1800s and 1900s.”

The celebration begins on Friday evening with food and a parade that begins at 7 p.m. at the high school and disbands at the Mentz Town Hall on Mentz Drive.

Music by the Lock 52 Jazz Band will keep people entertained for the evening.

On Saturday, the fire department will hold a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m., just in time to eat before walking over to Mentz Drive for the events that begin there at 10 a.m., Helzer said.

Bake sales, cake sales, about four different bands, children's games, raffles, food and the back yard circus will fill the field over there, she said.

“The kids have a lot of fun with the back yard circus,” Helzer said. “There will be three performances and the kids get dressed up to perform their own circus.”

Agricultural demonstrations, antique tractors, a horse ferriar and more historical elements will bring the heritage of the village into play.

If you go

What: Port Byron Heritage Days

When: 5 to 10 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m. breakfast, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday

Where: Mentz Drive, Port Byron

Cost: Free

For details: Call 776-5326 or 776-5300