NILES - It's been 25 years since the last time West Niles celebrated an anniversary.

In 1983, the town celebrated its sesquicentennial, or 150 years. Saturday, the town gathered again to commemorate its 175th year on the map.

“We hope people come and look at the history,” said Darlene Winters. Winters is a member of the town council and the town historian in West Niles. She, along with seven other members of the town council, organized the celebration.

The event featured a cake booth, face painting, a three-legged race, and other entertainment. At 6 p.m., the Villagers played some rock 'n' roll and anyone who stayed until 9:30 p.m. got to watch the fireworks go off.

Helen Cuddeback and her husband, Howard, have lived in the area for 66 years, she said. Helen, who grew up in Owasco, remembers Old Home Days, a celebration that used to happen every year, she said. The quarter-century parties have replaced Old Home Days.

“We used to come up here and play and do three-legged races. These games are wonderful,” she said of Saturday's activities. “It gives kids a chance to do things with their parents.”

People who attended the celebration had a chance to go through binders with the town records and newspaper clippings.

“There's a lot of history in this town that people have forgotten,” Helen said.

Mary Watkins, who is on the town council with Winters, spent time organizing all of the historical information and artifacts from the town. The celebration is a good time for people to learn a little more about West Niles, she said.

By 3 p.m. Saturday, the party was in full swing. Children were talking, laughing and screaming. Some were riding bicycles outside while others tried their luck at the cake booth. Those who succeeded took home a cake. Proceeds from the cake booth will go to the fire department, Winters said.

Staff writer Gitana Mirochnik can be reached at 253-5311 or gitana.mirochnik@lee.net