Community Event
West Sparta Old Fashioned Day set for July 28
West Sparta’s annual Old-Fashioned Day is set to take place on July 28 from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. The family-friendly event will be held at the West Sparta Town Hall on Kysorville-Byersville Road.
A variety of musical performances will be held throughout the day – starting with Connie Hamilton and Henry Robin at 10 a.m.
Jerry Ernst will perform “Music of the Civil War” at 10:45 a.m. with the Genesee Valley Mountain Dulcimer Club following at 11 a.m. While the Waylandaires (Director Rachel Hitt) are scheduled to perform at 2 p.m., Band of Brothers (with Jamie Stevens and Alan Fox) will conclude the musical performances at 3 p.m.
In addition to musical entertainment, residents can learn about the history of the Civil War with the 140th New York Volunteer Infantry. Tours of the Civil War military/civilian camp will be offered throughout the day.
A reenactment of 19th Century domestic life will be held at 11:45 a.m. Similarly, a military reenactment, which concludes the event, is scheduled for 3:45 p.m.
Other scheduled activities include hay rides from 10 .a.m to 2 p.m., draft horse plowing at 10:15 a.m., a ceremony honoring local veterans at 12:30 p.m., a demonstration by reenactor Susan Berardi at 1:45 p.m. (Elizabeth Van Lew, Civil War Spy), and wagon rides from 2–4 p.m.
In addition to the scheduled events, attendees can also explore a variety of vendors – including arts, crafts, food, and more.
Furthermore, multiple history-related displays will be available featuring the history of West Sparta, “Tools of the Pioneer Women”, antique cars, and antique tractors.
19th Century farm equipment demonstrations, along with a blacksmith forging demonstration, will also occur throughout the day.
Children will enjoy a day of fair games, activities, and prizes. The Willow Pond Petting Zoo, which will be in attendance, allows children to see a variety of animals up close. Overland Stables will also be on hand to offer pony rides.
The West Sparta Old-Fashioned Day is free and open to the public. The afternoon of family fun is jointly sponsored by the Town of West Sparta, the West Sparta Fire Department, the West Sparta Historical Society, and the West Sparta Methodist Church.
For more information on the event, please call 335-5094.
