OBSERVER File Photo Pictured is a previous year’s grape stomping competition, a staple at the annual Festival of Grapes in Silver Creek.

SILVER CREEK — An annual celebration of the Village of Silver Creek will be a little earlier than usual this year.

Amusement rides will return to the Festival of Grapes this fall, and to accommodate their arrival, the festival has moved up a week. The Village of Silver Creek officially approved the dates for the 57th annual Festival of Grapes to be held in the Village Square and Village Ballpark from Sept. 13 to 15.

Amusements of America providing rides for the festival. The same company provided rides for the Chautauqua County Fair this summer. The rides will arrive prior to Sept. 13 to begin setting up, and rides will conclude at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15 as the festival draws to a close.

The Festival of Grapes will also be contracting to provide enhanced security during the festival. Open container laws were suspended during the festival for the Village Ballpark last year, and the Village anticipates the same this year.

Also in the Village, the next mobile food pantry event, sponsored by the Silver Creek Food Pantry, FeedMore of WNY, and the Village of Silver Creek, will be Tuesday, Aug. 27, beginning at 11 a.m., at the Village Municipal Parking Lot. Refresco Beverages of Dunkirk has pledged to donate fresh juice as part of the giveaway in the coming months. Mayor Jeff Hornburg expressed thanks to Refresco on behalf of the Village.

The Village is also evaluating the potential for a cornhole tournament to be hosted during Music in the Park to benefit the Silver Creek Food Pantry. More discussion on the matter will be held at a later date.

Also of note, three separate water leaks were addressed in the Village on Stewart Avenue in recent weeks. Hornburg said the leaks were not major breaks, but noted three different days were spent working on the same street. He commended the Sewer and Water Department workers for their efforts. Paving of Robinson Street is planned for Aug. 19, weather permitting.

Village Trustee Sandra Lindstrom reported the Hanover Flag Football youth recreation program has been a success. The Youth Recreation program is also eyeing a basketball clinic for later this year.

Village Trustee Kathy Tampio reported the demolition of the former Moose Club in the Village will commence in the coming weeks. “Hopefully that happens, because it’s been sitting there for too long,” Tampio said.

The next meeting of the Village Board is set for Monday, Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Village Hall.