Community News

‘8 Great Wednesdays’ fills village park

Festivals Fredonia completed another successful adventure.

Every Wednesday from July 1 until Aug. 19, the community was offered our unique version of music in the park, renamed to "8 Great Wednesdays in the Park."

As well as providing a mixture of entertainment, the committee developed themes for each Wednesday and provided small gifts for everyone to commemorate. The group gave away key chains, hats and scarves, beach balls, vinyl musical instruments, and candy. It was truly a family affair!

With the sponsorship encouragement, leadership, guidance, immense creativity, camaraderie and the great weather, the mission was accomplished: providing cultural entertainment to our community and surrounding areas for the whole family.

Music rang in the park, and magically Barker Common became alive with a hustle and bustle of activity and the aroma of cultural food tempting our taste buds, lemonade and ice cream quenching our thirst.

Volunteers watched as friends and families joined together, shared laughter, line danced at the Gazebo and within minutes witnessed the bright lights of downtown romanticizing the quaintness of the park. Along with the music, patrons were entertained by the colorful car show exhibit lining Church Street, organized by Village Trustee, Paul Wandel.

Festivals Fredonia hosted a blessing of the newest fire engines and had an excellent turnout from the firemen representing their department. Children were presented with gifts from the department and Festivals Fredonia. Our final 8 Great Event was a celebration of anniversaries for: The Fredonia Opera House 135 Years; Fredonia Fire Department 125 Years; 9/11 25 Years; SUNY Fredonia 200 Years; The United States of America 250 Years and Red White and Blues Festival 30 years.

Thanks to Chai’s Bakery for the cakes.

Attempting to plan a successful event takes many volunteer hours, and significant financial backing. Our major sponsor for 8 Great was Gugino & Ryel. Festivals Fredonia would like to thank every business and organization who assisted with this venture, and it is our hope to plan another music event in 2027. The full list of sponsors includes: Gugino and Ryel Financial, Joseph Gugino adviser; DFT Communications; SUNY Fredonia; Larson-Timko Funeral Home, David Dengler director; The Fredonia Beaver Club; Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation; the Doug Manly Foundation.

Festivals Fredonia would also like to thank the Fredonia Fire Department, Josh Myers Chief; Fredonia Police Department, Greg Myers Chief; The Fredonia Department of Public Works, Jenness Merrill Supervisor; Chautauqua Audio Works, Kerry and Mike Pope Proprietors; The Village of Fredonia, Michael Ferguson, mayor; The Village of Fredonia trustees, all businesses surrounding Barker Commons, entertainment musical performers and all vendors and food trucks that were able to join us in our first music in the park endeavor. Last but not least thanks to all the Festivals Volunteers and their families who helped every week to set up and disassemble the park and Hank the Hillbilly !

Red, White and Blues will be Sept. 11 and 12 in Barker Common.