Mina Supervisor Rebecca Brumagin introduces Swanee the Swan at the Findley Lake Bicentennial Kickoff.

MINA — The Town of Mina’s Bicentennial Celebration officially kicked off on Saturday at the Findley Lake Fire Hall.

That day was chosen because it is exactly 200 years after the first council meeting was held. Elected officials donned period clothing and the official bicentennial mascot, Swannee the Swan, made its debut.

Volunteers had handcrafted dozens of commemorative swans, which can be purchased as mementos of the Town of Mina’s Bicentennial.

Also, at the kickoff, was an old-fashioned sing-a- long with Tom Schlaudecker on the juice harp. Schlaudecker is the coordinator of the Memory Cafe in Erie, at which he plays his harp for dementia patients and their caregivers, singing oldies from the 1940s and ’50s.

It’s been nearly 200 years since the Town of Mina was formed, said Mina town Supervisor Rebecca Brumagin. The area was first settled when War of 1812 veteran Alexander Findley purchased land near what is now Findley Lake.

In 1815, he built a dam to power his mill, thereby creating what is now Findley Lake. In 1824 the Town of Mina was incorporated when it separated from the Town of Clymer.

Nearly 200 years later, in September of 2022, the Findley Lake & Mina Historical Society held a special bicentennial celebration meeting to prepare a timeline of events. They decided on the theme of ‘Sentimental Journey’ for the events/activities of the bicentennial, Brumagin said.

Activities that will be part of the ‘Sentimental Journey’ include a vintage parade on Aug. 10. The parade will embrace a history theme with period clothing, horse-drawn wagons, antique cars and tractors, and a tribute to the old roller rink and waterski club.

The bicentennial weekend of Aug. 9 to 11 may feature an ice cream social, time period contests and games, an old-fashioned photo booth and a beard contest.

All year long, visitors to the town will be able to take self-guided tours via their cell phones. Two tours are planned: “Take a Drive” which will be a self-guided driving tour of Mina with information at each stop. “Take a Boat Ride” which will be a self-guided ride around the lake with information on places such as the Lagoon Canal, the big and small islands and Lakeside Assembly.