Middleport to kick off 150th-year celebration
Village planning events, fundraisers
It was known by a number of other names long ago — including the colorful “Teapot Hollow”—but this village along the Erie Canal decided on a name based on its location.
Middleport was named because it is midway between Albion and Lockport, the county seats of Orleans and Niagara, respectively, Village Historian Anna Wallace said.
“That’s what they say,” Wallace said. “With some of the other [earlier] names, we don’t know the whyfor’s.”
This week, the village will begin its sesquicentennial celebration.
The fun kicks off Saturday evening, with free hot dogs at the Middleport Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 Hall, 28 Main St.
The Middleport Community Choir is scheduled to perform at 7 p. m., followed by comments from local dignitaries. Residents are invited to peruse the village memorabilia displayed for the evening and enjoy dessert.
“This is a milestone — 150 years — and it’s the exact date of the first Middleport Village Board meeting, March 28, 1859,” said Mayor Julie Maedl. “It’s quite remarkable.”
“We’re really excited about this,” said Village Clerk Rebecca Schweigert, who serves on the sesquicentennial committee. “It should be a lot of fun and educational.”
Granite bricks with a choice of inscriptions will be available for purchase, to be dedicated on Memorial Day. They will help create a walkway near the veterans monument in the Commons, at Park Avenue and State Street.
“The bricks are $50, and this is our major fundraiser for the sesquicentennial,” Schweigert said, adding that the bricks may be purchased anytime at Village Hall, 24 Main St.
Plans for future sesquicentennial events include a community picnic at 2 p. m. May 24 at Rotary Park, followed by an ecumenical service conducted by the Middleport Area Church and Clergy Association at 4 p. m. A concert featuring the Middleport High School band is planned after the service.
The commemorative granite bricks will be dedicated in a ceremony on Memorial Day as part of the American Legion’s Clute Phillips Post 938 service.
Schweigert said plans are also in the works for a street dance on July 18, featuring the Easy Street Big Band.
In addition to the commemorative bricks, the committee has created a special Middleport calendar featuring old and current photos. It is selling for $7; and a mug with a new village crest is going for $5. These will be available for purchase at Saturday’s event. The committee also hopes to have specially designed T-shirts available for sale by then, as well.
“This is going to be fun,” Maedl said, “and I encourage anyone who has a connection to Middleport to take the time to come and enjoy everything the committee has put together.”
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