Sherman Proudly Celebrates 200 Years
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Sherman Days 2023 has been 200 years in the making. The town of Sherman's Bicentennial was celebrated throughout the Sherman Day's festivities, which ran from Aug. 4 to 6.
"Celebrating 200 years has added an extra level of excitement to the days," said Village Clerk Jeanette Ramm. "People have definitely been excited about this year's festivities."
Sherman Days began with alumni reunions and live music from 8-11 p.m. at the Cooler Bar & Grille.
Saturday's lineup began with a 5K run/walk at 8 a.m. followed by the Sherman Day Parade at 11 a.m. The renowned firemen's chicken barbecue was held at the Stanley Hose Co., while vendors, food and crafts were available until 4 p.m. There was also a cornhole competition, live music, wagon rides, kids games, bounce houses, a dunk booth, and volley ball.
The parade began with an official proclamation read by Sherman Town Supervisor Mark Persons. The document related that Dearing Dorman was the first settler of the area in 1823, and his son, Archibald, was the first child born within the town limits.
"Whereas after 200 years since the arrival of the first settler, Sherman continues to reflect the fortitude and determination of our forefathers, by continuing to perpetuate the value and resolve demonstrated so well by them … by resolution of the town board of Sherman New York, I do hereby proclaim August 5, 2023 as a day of celebration in honor of all those who have gone before us," he said.
After the proclamation and a statement by state Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, the parade began. Sherman Village Mayor Colleen Meeder served as emcee, announcing each participant as they passed the judging station.
The parade was led by Thomas Sweatman as Grand Marshal; he is the great-great-grandson of Dearing Dorman. Also, many of the participants' in the parade wore period clothing
Since Sherman is the home of the Yorker Museum, which contains six historical buildings that depict life in Sherman in the 1800s, it was a focal point of the bicentennial celebration.
Events at the Yorker Museum included demonstrations of old-time crafts such as wool spinning, broom making, and rug making, as well as horse-drawn wagon rides and tours of the museum. The six restored buildings, which were open to the public, are the Chapel, the Peter Ripley House, the Ray Larson General Store, the Buggy Shed, the Log Dwelling and Nettle Hill School.
Saturday's festivities continued in Edmund's Park, culminating with a fireworks display. On Sunday there was a car show with live music (The Untouchables) from noon until 4pm.
Sherman's bicentennial celebration was a day to remember, according to those who attended.
"It was cool, with a lot of things to do -- they passed out lots of candy at the parade and they had bounce houses," said one second-grader. "The museum was really awesome because they showed you all the things about the olden days in Sherman."