Cherry Valley marks bicentennial

On the Bright Side

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MEMBERS OF THE CHERRY VALLEY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION ride on a float pulled by a tractor during the bicentennial parade Saturday. DENNIS B. LAUGHLIN PHOTO

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June 14, 2012

Cherry Valley marks bicentennial

By Denise Richardson Staff Writer The Daily Star Thu Jun 14, 2012, 08:18 AM EDT

Fireworks were long-lasting candles for the celebration Saturday of a local village’s 200th birthday, a day that also featured a cruise-in, community dance and parade.

The village of Cherry Valley was incorporated June 4, 1812, and Saturday may be among days added to the list of local historic occasions, Mayor Jeffrey Stiles said.

“The parade was excellent, the fireworks were fantastic — everybody had a great time,’’ Stiles said Tuesday. “I’ve never seen so many people in Cherry Valley,’’ Stiles said.

According to the 2010 federal census, the town of Cherry Valley in Otsego County has about 1,220 residents. Stiles estimated events Saturday attracted between 2,500 and 3,000 people.

“Cherry Valley is an extremely unique place to live,’’ Stiles said. The community has deep history, he said, and “some of the best people you’ll ever meet are in Cherry Valley.’’

The village’s bicentennial celebration started with a pancake breakfast and featured a cruise-in at the fire station, then presented assorted activities at Alden Field Village Park on Genesee Street.

Of the parade’s 59 units, about 30 were from fire departments, including West Oneonta and Fonda, officials said.

The fireworks display lasted between 45 and 50 minutes, Stiles said, and the day concluded with a community dance with music by The Redeemers band.

The village and the Cherry Valley Fire Department worked together to plan the day, he said, and village clerk Dorothy Johnson did about 95 percent of the paperwork. Stiles said an organizing committee drew on between 30 and 60 volunteers to set up last week and to help on the celebration day. Planning and organizing began in earnest in October, Johnson said. “It took a lot of work,’’ Johnson said. “But it was a lot of fun.’’

The parade included floats by Girl Scouts, by a partnership of local churches and by the Cherry Valley Historical Association, Johnson said Wednesday.

She estimated festivities cost at more than $10,000, including about $6,000 for the fireworks display. Donations by businesses, residents and others and fundraising are meeting expenses, she said, and no taxpayer money went toward bills.

Johnson said she was “very happy’’ with the days’ activities and the turnout. “Everybody was so happy,’’ Johnson said. “People were happy and proud.’’

The day involved residents as supporters, organizers or spectators, said Jackie Hull, president of the Cherry Valley Chamber of Commerce and owner of A Rose Is A Rose florist. The Cherry Valley Historical Association museum had “quite a few’’ visitors, said Hull, who also wears a museumtrustee hat.

“It was a huge community effort,’’ she said Wednesday. “It was a great event for Cherry Valley.’’

Sue Schaffer, office manager at Community Health Center in Cherry Valley, lives in neighboring Roseboom but attended Saturday’s festivities, which she said were well-organized.

The health clinic tends to be an information center about community activities, Schaffer said, and the last call Friday was about where to donate books for a library fundraiser that was among Saturday’s activities. The day was an example of residents of a ‘small town’ coming together to celebrate and share pride in their community and history, she said.

“There does seem to be real pride in their roots and heritage,’’ she said. “It was memorable — it was a wonderful day.’’