I thought that the members of the maillist might be interested in knowing about
events which are being planned to celebrate our Bi-Centennial:

   Genesee County was formed from Ontario County, March 30, 1802, and comprised all of
Western New York.  It was named from the Seneca word meaning "Beautiful Valley".  As
population grew within this region, the neighboring eight counties were established
between 1806 and 1841 creating the present county which is divided into 13 towns, 6
villages and the City of Batavia.
   Beginning this month, Genesee County will begin the celebration of its 200th year of
existence.  We hope that you will be able to participate in many of these events.
Following are a listing of some of the events and the dates:

March 30 - Dedication Birthday Party on the date of incorporation.  It will be held
at the Holiday Inn, Batavia.  The celebration will include a "Taste of Genesee", the
largest birthday cake ever seen in the county which will feed 1,000 to 2,000 guests.
There will also be live musical entertainment, a time capsule, door prizes, and
antique show and sale, local history with old fashion displays of clothing and
pioneer life, and an all-out birthday bash.  There will be many vendors and
information booths available including one sponsored by the Genesee Area
Genealogists.  Also on this date, you will be able to obtain stamp cancellations in
honor of the occasion at the Holland Land Office Museum as well as 15 Post Offices
within Genesee County.

March 31 - Many churches in the county will be ringing their bells and will include a
moment of prayer for all who have come before us at 2:00 p.m.

April 4 - Susan Conklin will give a lecture on "The Development of Western New York
1798-1825" at the Genesee Community College.

April 11 - Terry Abrams will give a lecture on "Treaties and Tribulations Along the
Tonawanda - The History of the Tonawanda Seneca Reservation 1797-1857" at the Genesee
Community College.

April 13 - Underground Railroad Theater will present "Are You Ready My Sister", the
life of Harriet Tubman, at the Genesee Community College.

April 18 - Cindy Amrhein and Ellen Lea Bachorski will give a lecture on "The Rowell
Murder, A Story of Love, Betrayal and Injustice" at the Genesee Community College.

April 25 - Susan Conklin will give a lecture on "On the Home-Front, Genesee County
During World War II", at the Genesee Community College.

May 11 - Seneca Awareness Day will be held at the Community Building on the Tonawanda
Indian Reservation.
June - Wildly funny Bicentennial Play, an irreverent tour of Genesee County's
History.

July 4 - Community Picnic with live entertainment unique crafts and shopping, at the
Centennial Park, Batavia.

July 13 - Bicentennial Parade during the annual O-At-Ka Festival including a history
pageant of floats, and a variety of Bands to be held on Main Street, Le Roy.

September 14 - Civil War Candlelight Tour and Living History will be held at the
Batavia Cemetery on Harvester Avenue, Batavia.  Meet Batavians who fought during the
Civil War.

September 2 - Bicentennial Fireworks will be at Oakfield during the Labor Daze
Celebration featuring one of the best true folk art festivals around.

October - Firemen's Exhibit - Fire and Safety Exhibition of Oldest and Newest
Equipment including Fire Departments, Genesee County Sheriff's Departmant New York
State Troopers.

   The above are all that have been definitely scheduled so far.  However, there will
also be a Tour of Century Farms at various farms within the county, and many other
events.
   From 1 Dec. 2001 to June 2002, there will be an exhibit of Immigration to Genesee
County - Pioneers and Ethnic Groups and from 1 Jul 2002 to Dec. 2002, Industry in
Genesee County.  This will be at the Le Roy House and at the Holland Land Office
Museium.
     Contact the Genesee County History Department at (585) 343-1164, ext. 2513, 3 West
Main St., Batavia 14020, or e-mail [log in to unmask] for a more up-to-date
schedule of all events.


--
Cindy Amrhein
Town of Alabama Historian
in Genesee Co., NY
Experience the Town of Alabama in Genesee County, NY.  Current events, wildlife, history, genealogy, cemetery inscriptions, and census records.
http://www2.pcom.net/cinjod/historian/



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