President of the Valley Historical Society, Larry Barmore, pictured with Master of Ceremony David Christy, Pastor Joe Pascoe of the Sinclairville United Methodist Church, and Pastor Roberta Mosier-Peterson of the Gerry Free Methodist Church. Submitted photo

SINCLAIRVILLE — The 21st annual history fair in Sinclairville was held recently in the village of Sinclairville.

The annual event is sponsored by the Valley Historical Society, which is the official historical society of the Cassadaga Valley area. President of the society, Larry Barmore, is the “spark plug” of the event, planning and lining up vendors, music, crafters and food stands for nearly a year. The village of Sinclairville was crowded with hundreds of people who took part in one or many activities of the day.

The day began with a pancake breakfast at the Sinclairville Firehall by the Sinclairville 76ers meals on wheels personnel. Following the breakfast, the annual opening ceremony was held with Master of Ceremony David Christy introducing Pastor Joe Pascoe of the Park United Methodist Church, and Pastor Roberta Mosier-Peterson of the Gerry Free Methodist Church, who gave introductory messages.

Barmore then lead everyone in the Lord’s Prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The annual grand parade was held with the Sheridan Fire Department Honor Guard carrying the American Flag. The New York State Police and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, with Sheriff Jim Quattrone, led the participants of the parade. The parade included members of the little league football team and cheerleaders of Cassadaga Valley, the Sinclairville Library, the Sinclairville 76ers meals on wheels, and fire department equipment from Sinclairville, Ellington, Cassadaga and Gerry.

During the day, the visitors had the opportunity to tour the Valley Historical Society museum, seeing Susan Sipos spinning yarn with her spinning wheel, walk through the village park filled with vendors of crafts and food, and hear the music of five different groups. The groups included Wanderlust, Harmony Express, DJ Felony, Rustic Ramblers and We Speak Canadian. Visitors also had the opportunity to take part in the Karaoke. The was a pie baking contest, a baby show, a car show, a dog show and a magician at the library. A speaker on Dolly Madison was also seen at the library, The Masonic organization was also included.

The Sinclairville Library held a chicken barbecue at noon, and the historical society held a roast beef on roll with macaroni salad dinner at 5 p.m. The day of activity concluded with a grand fireworks display.