Falling Leaves Festival Guide 2015

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The 38th Annual

g n i l l a F s e v Lea l a v i t s Fe

October 2-4, 2015 Downtown Salamanca

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2015 Falling Leaves Festival

2015 Falling Leaves Festival

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Plenty to do at the 38th annual Falling Leaves Festival

By Christa Nianiatus City Reporter SALAMANCA — The leaves are turning and it’s the start of the best season in Western New York, which means it’s time for the 38th Annual Falling Leaves Festival.

City officials and volunteers have been planning for months trying to make this year’s festival bigger and better than ever.

This is the third consecutive year the city has taken the reigns of the annual festival, which was first held in 1976.

Events are scheduled Friday through Sunday and include the event’s usual staples of food and craft vendors, a classic car show and parade, as well as brand new additions and the return of old favorites.

The weekend kicks off this year with a 5K run/walk that is scheduled to end up on the field of Salamanca’s football game at halftime — incorporating the school’s Homecoming weekend into this year’s events.

New in recent years, carnival rides and activities for children will once again be offered free of charge to provide family-friendly activities for the community.

Kids can also catch a few stunts from the local Salamanca Fire Department on Saturday and learn a little bit about fire safety.

The adults won’t be left out either with a festival dance scheduled from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Holy Cross Club, with music provided by Goodbye Dawn. Other musical acts are slated throughout the weekend and can be found on the festival’s full schedule of events (pages 4 and 5).

Perhaps most notable is the return of the bed races down Main Street, back by popular demand. The community can once again watch the antics of racers as they navigate through obstacles at 11 a.m. Sunday morning.

And as always, the grand finale of the festival weekend is the festival parade down Main and Broad streets at 1 p.m.

Sunday that is sure not to disappoint.

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2015 Falling Leaves Festival

2015 Falling Leaves Festival Schedule of Events Friday, Octt. 2 6:30 p.m.

Light Up the Night for Salamanca Football 5K Run/Walk Location To Be Announced

7 p.m.

Allegany-Limestone Gators at Salamanca Warriors Football Game Veterans Memorial Park

Throughout the evening

Food Vendors & Beer Tent Jefferson Street Park

Saturday, Oct. 3 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Falling Leaves Festival Car Cruise Main Street between Broad Street & Wildwood Avenue — Registration, 8:30 a.m.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Senior Center Open House Salamanca Area Senior Center

Throughout the day

Food & Craft Vendors, Beer Tent, Dunk Tank & “Minute to Win It” Games Jefferson Street Park

Throughout the day

Quilt Show Ray Evans Seneca Theatre

Noon

Martial Arts Demonstration Jefferson Street Park

Noon to 7 p.m.

Carnival Rides Salamanca Youth Center

1 to 4 p.m.

Hot Dog Contest, noon Baby Contest, 2 p.m.

Pie Contest, 3 p.m. at Jefferson Street Park

Call 945-1330 to sign up

YMCA Bounce House, Obstacle Course, Balloon Animals, Face Painting & Petting Zoo Salamanca Youth Center

3 to 6 p.m.

Salamanca Fire Department Fire Repelling, Demos & More Salamanca Youth Center

3 to 6 p.m.

Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Children Identification & Sheriff’s/Salamanca Police Department Car Seat Check Salamanca Youth Center

4 to 7 p.m.

Terry Buchwald as Elvis Presley Jefferson Street Park (Rain location: Ray Evans Seneca Theatre)

9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Falling Leaves Festival Dance featuring Goodbye Dawn Holy Cross Athletic Club

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Sunday, Oct. 4 9 to 11 a.m.

Breakfast Salamanca Area Senior Center

11 a.m.

Bed Races Park Avenue

Noon to 7 p.m.

Carnival Rides Salamanca Youth Center

Throughout the day

Food & Craft Vendors, Beer Tent & Dunk Tank Jefferson Street Park

1 p.m.

Falling Leaves Festival Grande Parade Main Street & Broad Street

1 to 4 p.m.

YMCA Bounce House, Obstacle Course, Balloon Animals, Face Painting & Petting Zoo Salamanca Youth Center

2:30 p.m.

Gypsy’s of the Southern Tier Belly Dancing Jefferson Street Park

3 p.m.

Empire State Wresting Jefferson Street Park

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Fire department to show off their skills

By Christa Nianiatus City Reporter SALAMANCA — The Salamanca Fire Department will be showing off their skills and distributing important information on fire safety during the Falling Leaves Festival.

On Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Salamanca Youth Center the Salamanca firefighters will be using some of their techniques, such as high height repelling, to entertain some of the youngsters — while having some fun themselves.

“We just love doing anything with kids,” said Salamanca Fire Chief Nick Bocharski. “All these guys are really just big kids themselves.”

The demonstration will show area firemen in a new light, displaying feats people might not expect from a local

fire department.

“The demonstration kind of lures the kids in and they get to see things from us they they might only see on TV,” said the fire chief.

The Falling Leaves Festival also marks the start of National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4 to 10. The theme for 2015 has been announced as “Hear the beep where you sleep,” reminding everyone of the importance of having a working fire alarm in every bedroom.

Bocharski said the department will use the event as an opportunity to educate the children and their families on fire safety.

“Once we’ve got the kids attention we have some materials we’ll be giving out on Fire Prevention Week,” he said.

“There have been a number of fire-related incidents involving youth in the area and we try our best to get them this information any way we can.”

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‘Light up the Night’ 5K to support Salamanca Warriors’ football

By Christa Nianiatus City Reporter SALAMANCA — This year the Falling Leaves planning committee has added a 5K walk/run to the lineup Friday night.

Salamanca school’s Homecoming weekend coincides with the festival this year and organizers have made a conscious decision to support rather than compete with the big game.

“What we’re trying to do is combine the festival and the football game, we didn’t want to pull from it for the festival or vice versa, so we wanted to do something that encompassed both of them,” said Julie Hamacher, co-chairperson of the festival.

By press time, organizers were unsure of the

official starting location or time of the race, but they knew where it would end.

“The plan is to end up at (Veterans Memorial) Park during halftime of the football game and we will be distributing red and white glow sticks in support of the team,” said Hamacher. “Basically we want to show our support for keeping the football program.”

Now entering its 100th season, Salamanca football was in danger of merging with the Allegany-Limestone district earlier this year due to a lack of participation. Instead, they’ll be facing off for Friday night’s game.

The registration fee for the race will be $5 for adults and free for children.

“We’re calling it ‘Light Up the Night for Salamanca Warriors’ and we just wanted to show the community’s support for the football program,” said Hamacher.

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Gators coming to town for Salamanca’s homecoming game

By Sam Wilson Sports Editor It’s the rivalry game that might not have been.

Allegany-Limestone and Salamanca renew their Western New York Class C South rivalry th with this year’s Salamanca homecoming game w F Friday, Oct. 2. Due to roster depth concerns, the two school districts discussed a merger of their tw ffootball programs after last season, but ultimately set the topic aside before a suggested deadline ffrom Section 6. Going on their own for another Press file photo

Salamanca wide receiver Jimmie Nye runs past a group of Allegany-Limestone defenders in last year’s contest against the Gators. The Warriors won, 27-12.

2015 Falling Leaves Festival year, the teams meet Friday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. on the Veterans’ Park field for the final Salamanca home game of the 2015 regular season.

The Warriors won the meeting last season, 27-12, at the Gators’ Fred Grace Field. This year’s game will be the first matchup between new Salamanca coach Paul Haley and A-L coach Paul Furlong, both former Salamanca running backs and Big 30 All-Stars.

Furlong, a Salamanca native, coached the Warriors in 2012, Haley’s first year as SHS junior varsity coach.

Salamanca is 16-5 in the all-time series since the merger of Allegany and Limestone schools in 1995. The Paul Haley Gators’ last win came in 2009.

In the days leading up to Homecoming, students will be participating in theme days to bolster their school spirit. On Monday, students are asked to don their school colors of red and grey, which is followed on Tuesday with Mardi Gras day.

On Wednesday, students and staff will bring in a dollar to donate to the American Cancer Society and dress in pink in support of breast cancer research and awareness.

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Allegany Limestone Gators at Salamanca Warriors Veterans Memorial Park in Salamanca 7 p.m.

Thursday students will come to school in support of their favorite athletic teams and Friday each class will dress in an assigned color and participate in the pep rally scheduled for that afternoon in advance of the Homecoming tilt.

And while parents and community members are invited to the Falling Leaves Festival dance Saturday night at the Holy Cross Club, students will be attending their Homecoming dance.

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What’s a Falling Leaves Festival without the grande parade?

By Christa Nianiatus City Reporter

Press file photo

Members of The Renegade Drum Corps of Rochester march past the former Salamanca City Hall building during last year’s parade.

SALAMANCA — The Falling Leaves parade will again serve as the grande finale of the festival weekend.

After the conclusion of the bed races down Main Street, the Falling Leaves Grande Parade will strike up at 1 p.m. down Main and Broad streets with plenty of bands, floats and banner carriers.

“Right now we have about 23 or 24 entries in the parade and by the time it gets here we’ll probably have close to 40,” said Donna Raahauge, parade organizer, last week.

Registration for participation in the parade will remain open through Sept. 27 and organizers encourage any community groups to participate.

“Sometimes the parade is something people forget about until September and then everyone scrambles to get in,” said Raahauge. “We could always use more and we’d love to

2015 Falling Leaves Festival have more participation from groups and service organizations — like if any of the churches or anyone wants to get a unit together they’re all welcome.”

The parade will follow the usual route down Main, hanging a right on Broad and ending up at Simone Bolivar Triangle Park.

Many favorite bands will return for this year’s parade including a new addition of the Niagara Militaires. The lineup will also include two go-kart units — a returning kart from Bradford, Pa., and a new unit from Warren, Pa. Although there were some preliminary hopes of getting a grand marshal for the parade, organizers said it’s something they are setting their sights on for next year and this year will still be a wonderful celebration of Salamanca.

“It’s like the grand finale,” of the Falling Leaves Festival, said Raahauge. “It’s like the culmination of everything that happened during the weekend — a big, final bang celebration.”

Scenes from last year’s parade...

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Bed races returning to this year’s festival

By Christa Nianiatus B City Reporter

Press file pphoto hotto

Participants P ti i t compete t iin th the 20 2010 10 0 bbedd races on B Broadd St Streett during the 33rd annual Falling Leaves Festival.

SALAMANCA — A An old Falling Leaves cclassic is making a rreturn this year when tthe first bed wheels down Main Street.

After a few years’ absence, the bed races aree back ar bac by popular demand ba and d will i bring a dose of quirky competition to the streets of Salamanca.

The races will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday at the intersection of Broad and Main streets before they are flooded by floats and spectators for the parade that follows at 1 p.m.

Teams will each construct a “bed” on wheels to be navigated through a course and several challenges, but event organizers aren’t giving anything away except a few cryptic hints.

“There will be 10 obstacles throughout the course but we don’t like to disclose the obstacles until the event because we don't want to give anyone a heads up,” said Julie Hamacher, co-chairperson of the festival. “All I will say is you have to carry the egg the whole time.”

The bed races have been around since the very first Falling Leaves Festival in 1976 and have been an off-and-on favorite of area residents since.

“The bed races had fallen off in recent years but we’re bringing them back because people wanted to see them come back,” said Hamacher.

“It’s a part of the festival and I think tradition is a big part of Salamanca. I love the fact that people wanted the bed races back.”

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Celebrating 38 years of the Falling Leaves Festival...

The first year of Salamanca’s festival opened with a carnival on Thursday on the tannery lot near Loblaws Supermarket — site now of the Salamanca Public Library — and a concert by the Golden Age Kitchen Band on Friday.

On Saturday, Ted’s Bakery hosted a doughnut cutting competition, where Ted Leaskey tried to set the world record for donut cutting. Fentier Village’s grounds were open for the first time in six years on Saturday.

On Sunday, there was an antique car show at Veteran’s Memorial Park, the Salamanca See-Saws hosted square dancing on Main Street in front of the Salamanca Mall, the U.S. Air Force jets conducted a flyover and the festival’s first parade took place with more than 60 units for a 90-minute parade witnessed by upwards of 5,000 people.

Barbara and Alexander Rosen and Ann Larimore were guests during the fifth annual Falling Leaves Festival. The individuals were families of two American hostages, Barry Rosen and Bill Daugherty, being held in Iran.

The fifth annual parade saw approximately 22,000 to 25,000 people to witness 56 groups stroll by. Other events included the traditional march band competition, kid’s dog show, dance contest, an antique car show and a pie eating contest.

Maria Eddy, 13, was named Miss Falling Leaves Festival in the first such competition at the event.

Weather put a damper on the second annual Falling Leaves Festival, forcing the cancellation of a regatta, street dance and country western dance.

However, the festival was still considered a success. Events included a performance by the Salvation Army Golden Agers Band in Jefferson Street Park, the Salamanca See Saws square dance at the Holy Cross Athletic Club and a dance attended by several hundred people at the Salamanca American Legion.

1981

1976

1977

Early estimates from the Salamanca Positive Action Committee noted that attendance at the third annual Falling Leaves Festival parade was near 16,000, about double what turned out for the parade the year prior.

New festival events included a Fun Run and AAU 5K race and a Festival Bed Race that pleased officials with the success.

1978

SPAC Chairman Paul Formica estimated that nearly 25,000 people visited the city during the four days of the festival, with more than 10,000 on hand Sunday for the parade.

One of the highlights of the festival was the adoption of Joe Giblin, manager of Fisher’s Big Wheel and president of the Salamanca Area Chamber of Commerce, as a member of the Seneca Nation of Indians.

1980

At 90 minutes, the parade was slightly smaller than the previous year and witnessed by 6,000 to 7,000 people.

Events during the festival included a Firemen’s Parade, ceramic show, tennis and soccer tournaments, Ann Archers Dance Demonstration, a festival dance in the Moose Temple, church services in Jefferson Street Park, a tug-of-war between Salamanca Paid and Volunteer Firemen and the Kill Buck Volunteer Firemen and a smorgasbord at the Masonic Temple.

The sponsorship of the seventh annual Falling Leaves Festival were handed over to the Salamanca Area Chamber of Commerce, and Dorothy Dayton, executive secretary for the chamber, commented positively on the attendance by both out-of-town visitors and hometown folks.

Weekend events ranged from soccer and tennis tournaments to dog, car and photography shows, a pie-eating contest and bed race and a continuous videotape showing a new film about Allegany State Park.

New at the festival this year was also special excursions on the New York and Lake Erie Railroad to and from Little Valley.

1982

The eighth annual Falling Leaves Festival was transformed into an international event with the Sunday dedication of Triangle Park as Simon Bolivar Triangle a Park.

The city hosted more than 65 P Latin American guests for the day; L renaming the park was the city’s way of joining in the bicentennial of Simon Bolivar’s birth.

1979 1983

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More than 1,200 drawings, paintings, mobiles and sculptures by Salamanca youth were part of the inaugural “Clothesline Art Show” in the Salamanca Mall during the ninth annual Falling Leaves Festival.

Another new festival event was a chili competition, a sidewalk event sponsored by Texas Bar and Grille owner Bonita Wulf.

1984

Although crowds were smaller than in previous years, the committee for the 10th annual Falling Leaves Festival agreed the event was successful.

A total of 91 food and craft booths were at the festival, and more than 200 meals were served at the sixth annual pancake breakfast at the First Congregational Church. The festival dance sold 281 tickets and standing room only was available at midnight.

The festival was again sponsored by the Salamanca Area Chamber of Commerce and led by festival co-chairmen Rick and Darlene Hoadley.

1985

The 11th annual Falling Leaves Festival was held a bit earlier that usual, Sept. 12 to 14, and saw smaller crowds likely due to two rainy days.

However, festival co-chairmen Rick and Darlene Hoadley said the festival still made a profit and although crowds were smaller than in previous years, they were constant.

Another misfortune other than weather for the ‘86 festival was the malfunction of a generator at the carnival, which brought rides to a standstill on Saturday.

“There were only six people who put this together,” Darlene said. She named: June Numeracki, Marie Jones, Jim Johnson, Carol Weatherly, herself and her husband.

1986

The Salamanca Press reported the 12th annual Falling Leaves Festival “lured more guests than Salamanca has seen in a long time.”

The biggest obstacle of the festival was dealing with the closure of the Main Street Bridge, which was at the time being constructed. All events were concentrated on the south side of the Main Street Bridge, and new activities included a Baby Contest and Gospel Concert. The antique show was held at the Holy Cross Athletic Club, the car show was at Veteran’s Memorial Park and the bed races were held on Broad Street. All three adapted to the bridge situation with the new locations.

The three Falling Leaves Festival co-chairmen — Rev. Robert Odell, Tony Vesneski and Lance Hoag — said the 13th annual festival was the best yet and that there were very happy with the turnout for the weekend.

Officially attendance wasn’t immediately determined; the trio estimated about 15,000 to 20,000 people visited Salamanca during the weekend. Odell said highlights were the parade, Ethnic Dancers and the classic car show.

The festival began with the Funtastic Parade on Friday night.

Another unique aspect of the festival was the grand opening of the Caboose Information Center on Broad Street Extension.

1988

The festival returns to both sides of the Allegheny River following the opening of the new Main Street Bridge, and festival goers weren’t confined to Jefferson Street Park.

Rail Museum director Gerald Fordham said the rail excursion was “one of the best we’ve ever had,” with an estimated 600 to 700 people passing through the museum and the “railroad flea market.” The excursion took 200 passengers to Cattaraugus and brought back 175 on Saturday.

The Big Band Revival held a show at the Seneca Theatre on Saturday night with more than 300 in attendance. A “jail for bail” fundraiser by the American Cancer Society “detained” many city officials and well known residents and raised more than $900 in the process.

1989

The 1990 festival was deemed financially successful, but Tony Carbone, city mayor and also chairman for the parade, was forced to cancel the parade and bed races due to inclement weather. However, it was estimated 350 people came to the boxing matches and 497 people registered for the festival dance.

The Tuesday following the festival, it was reported the festival had a net profit of $18,500. The Salamanca Area Chamber of Commerce, which benefitted from the festival, needed a good year for what chamber president Rosalyn Hoag called “survival.”

1990

1987 1991

Music filled the air during the 16th annual Falling Leaves Festival after the Salamanca Area Chamber of Commerce purchased and installed a new sound system. The new system was dedicated during ceremonies Friday in memory of the late Edwin “Ned” Fenton, Jr.

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In its 17th year, the Falling Leaves Festival in 1992 was again deemed a success, with festival chairperson Vonnie Exner stating it was the best carnival, financially, the festival has had in years.

In a unique situation, Gene and Wilma Panter of Muscatine, Iowa served as the parade’s grand marshals. They had been stopped on Route 17 by the Salamanca Area Chamber of Commerce, police and Falling Leaves Festival officials and were given accommodations at the Dudley Motor Inn courtesy of the chamber.

1992

The festival in 1993 began Friday with the second annual R.C. Hoag Memorial Golf Outing, with a 1994 car donated by O’Laughlin’s as the grand prize for the outing’s Hole-In-One contest. Official opening ceremonies were held Friday evening with a Hawaiian Luau featuring cultural music and the Aloha Dancers at Jefferson Street Park.

Similar to last year’s experiment, the chamber again “kidnapped” commuters on Route 17 to be part of the festival, with Floyd and Barbara Plowman, of York, Pa., being guests this year after being pulled over as part of the promotion.

Presiding over the parade were Falling Leaves Festival Queen Kristin Fuller and King Carl Ague, who were crowned at the Salamanca Satellite of the Buffalo Children’s Hospital Variety Club Telethon the previous year.

1993

Early estimates had a profit of “several thousand dollars” for the 19th annual Falling Leaves Festival, according to Salamanca Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President Donna Snyder and Treasurer Ned Fenton III, who served as co-chairs for the event.

The money would be used for operating expenses for the chamber’s office located in a railroad caboose on Broad Street.

The festival was much smaller in 1994, due to several other chamber-sponsored events during the summer not being financially successful.

The carnival had three successful days, and a highlight of the festival was the annual duck drop, coordinated by County Clerk James K. Griffith. Penny Brown won the duck race and the $1,000 prize.

1994

Rain fell on the parade for the 20th annual Falling Leaves Festival, but the event, which was again sponsored by the Salamanca Area Chamber of Commerce, had successful days on Friday and Saturday.

The chamber held a drawing for two dinners about the “murder mystery train” on New York and Lake Erie Railroad in Gowanda.

1995

No festivals were held in 1996 or 1997 The Falling Leaves Festival returned for its 21st year following a two-year absence, and included a parade that was witnessed by 3,000 to 4,000 people and lasted for 45 minutes.

The festival was brought back to Salamanca based on a mayor’s campaign promise, as Salamanca Mayor Carmen Vecchiarella’s office coordinated the event.

Among the unique attractions included World’s Strongest Man Don Reinhoudt offer motivational thoughts to youngsters and demonstrate breaking boards and driving nails into wood with his hands.

The festival kicked off on Friday and included a live broadcast by WKBW’s Brian Kahle. The weekend included craft and food vendors in Jefferson Street Park and inside the Salamanca Mall on Main Street.

The festival in 1998 marked the first time the event was coordinated directly by the mayor’s office.

1998

The mayor’s office again coordinated volunteer efforts for the 22nd annual Falling Leaves Festival, and the weekend was labeled another “great success.”

Salamanca Mayor Carmen Vecchiarella said about 2,000 people turned out for the event on Saturday, which featured arts and craft vendors in the Salamanca Mall, 22 flea market vendors in front of Cattaraugus Community Action and 15 more arts and crafts vendors in Jefferson Street Park.

1999

Fantastic weather, an Elvis impersonator and other new features brought people into Salamanca for what was deemed an “excellent” 23rd annual Falling Leaves Festival, according to Festival Coordinator Tracy Chamberlain, executive secretary to Mayor Carmen Vecchiarella.

Elvis impersonator Sterling Pollaro, of Jamestown, sung in front of a crowd of about 200 people in Jefferson Street Park on Saturday. It was reported in The Salamanca Press than “all the vendors did well and the park and carnival-ride area off Sycamore Street were packed.”

Chamberlain attributed changes in advertising and excellent weather for making the festival “twice as good” as its predecessors.

Other highlights of the festival included a live performance by Fat Brat, a local classic rock band, and a Sunday afternoon parade featuring homecoming floats of the Salamanca Warriors, unveiled during a football game Saturday night which the Warriors won, 22-14.

2000

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The weather was nice again, Sterling Pollaro returned and the 24th annual Falling Leaves Festival was deemed “very successful even with all the recent tragedies in the United States,” according to Salamanca Mayor Carmen Vecchiarella.

A 45-minute parade included 20 cars that had been in a car show sponsored by the Salamanca Area Chamber of Commerce, and Falling Leaves Festival Queen Stephanie Light.

2001

Tracy Chamberlain, assistant to the mayor, again served as festival coordinator for the 25th celebration, and the Salamanca Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored the annual car show.

Amberle Hutchison was crowned the Falling Leaves Festival Queen.

Salamanca Mayor J. Stephen Montgomery and members of the city’s fire department volunteer for a dunk tank in Jefferson Street Park to raise funds for Silver Bells Festival.

2002

In 2003, rain dampened the 26th annual festival, with almost an inch coming down over the three-day weekend.

However, many indoor events were well attended and Sunday’s parade was dry.

Salamanca native William “Bill” McClune, who had recently served 23 months service in the U.S. Naval Reserves, was parade marshal. A fireworks display went off as scheduled on Friday, and heavyweight boxer Baby Joe Mesi attended the Knockout Factory open house and drew a large crowd.

Showers cut short the “Meet the Queen” session with Falling Leaves Queen Breanna Farner and her court and scared off all Friends of Strays pet parade entrants but one — a Jack Russell terrier puppy owned by Paris Sturdevant.

2003

The main event for opening night of the 27th annual Falling Leaves Festival was Friday Night at the Fights, featuring Seneca Nation Boxing Club, at Jefferson Street Park. The event included about a dozen bouts sanctioned by USA Boxing.

It was estimated more than 1,000 people attended the boxing matches.

The festival was organized by a committee that included Julie Hamacher and Ross Ledsome, among others.

The 2004 Falling Leaves Festival Queen was awarded to Ellen Nary.

2004

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The 28th annual Falling Leaves Festival was moved to Veteran’s Memorial Park instead of its usual location on Main Street, a move Salamanca Mayor Jeffrey Pond said had a lot of positive feedback.

The most popular attractions included Rochester’s “The Hitmen.”

Danielle Phillips served as the Falling Leaves Festival Queen

2005

Ray Evans returned to his hometown for the 29th annual Falling Leaves Festival, which was held a bit later than usual on Oct. 13-15. Evans participated in “Que Sera, Sera: The Songs of Livingston and Evans” on Saturday at the Ray Evans Seneca Theatre. It was a full house.

The majority of festival was again held at Veteran’s Memorial Park on Broad Street, including the return of an amateur boxing event organized by the Knockout Factory.

A chili cookoff was held for the first time in years, and other more unique attractions included tethered hot air balloon rides and about 45 people participate in a 5K run/walk at Allegany State Park.

2006

Veteran’s Memorial Park remained the host of the 30th annual Falling Leaves Festival, and the majority of events scheduled were traditional attractions like past events. t The Porcelain Busdrivers performed at the Red Garter Bar and f Grill on Saturday, West performed at the American Legion the same night and both The LeftOvers and The Oliverios performed on Sunday.

2007

The 31st annual Falling Leaves Festival was combined with the county’s Bicentennial Parade in 2008 and deemed a success by organizers.

The parade, organized by Donna and Ron Raahauge, made its way down Main and Broad Street, finishing up on Front Avenue near the old Moose Hall. It was reported that the parade was so long, some units were returning to the starting point before others had begun.

The festival was organized mostly by the Salamanca Area Chamber of Commerce.

The 33rd annual Falling Leaves Festival came only weeks after the city of Salamanca cut dozens of employees due to a stalemate that had existed between the Seneca Nation of Indians and New York State, but the community rallied to keep many events.

Salamanca Area Chamber of Commerce President Jayne Fenton, in a letter to the editor of The Salamanca Press, said the festival would be “an opportunity to build community spirit during our current economic and social challenges.”

2010

A strong emphasis was placed on Salamanca’s rich culture in the 34th annual Falling Leaves Festival, most notably with the inclusion of a Seneca Culture and Heritage Exhibit through the Native Roots Artist Guild.

Chamber President Jayne Fenton said “every component of the festival went off like clockwork” but rain, a brisk wind and temperatures in the high 30s and low 40s dominated the weekend.

The festival’s queen pageant was canceled prior to the weekend due to lack of volunteers to coordinate the event.

2011

The 35th annual Falling Leaves Festival may have looked much like the 2011 event, but the weather also cooperated for a much higher attendance in 2012.

The majority of the event took place at Jefferson Street Park, with additional vendors on the front lawn of Jefferson Street School. The car show was a highlight of the weekend, according to Jenny Ingrao, events specialist for the Seneca Salamanca Chamber of Commerce. Nearly 100 vehicles were on display down Main Street and onto Sycamore Avenue.

2012

Coordination of the 36th annual Falling Leaves Festival returned to the hands of the city for the first time in several years, after city officials in May assumed responsibilities of the event from the Seneca Salamanca Chamber of Commerce.

Highlights of the festival included Elvis impersonator Terry Buchwald in a rain-shortened performance, more than 70 arts, crafts and food vendors, a walk to raise awareness and money for cancer research and a weekend-long “Minute to Win It” competition.

2008 2013

The festival returned to Jefferson Street Park by popular demand and included art and craft vendors, live music from local talents, radio station remote broadcasts and the Falling Leaves Festival Car Show and Cruise-In on Main Street.

2009

The festival last year was again coordinated by the mayor’s office and featured a car cruise, carnival rides and return of the “Minute to Win It” competition.

Due to I-86 construction, the parade was routed down Sycamore Avenue.

2014

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