Bicentennial Wagon Train cuts trail through Cattaraugus County
ASHFORD — Cattaraugus County’s Bicentennial Wagon Train and Stagecoach Run will pass through the northern area of the county today, meeting and greeting people as the 14- day trek continues through Aug. 22.
More than 20 wagons and one stagecoach are making the 180-mile excursion around the county to mark the its 200th birthday.
The itinerary includes breakfast today in East Otto, lunch in Ashford and dinner and an overnight stay in West Valley.
Traveling at a leisurely pace of about 3 mph, the caravan is reliving county history along the former Chautauqua Trail, which served as a route for mail freight and people across the southwestern portion of the state between 1808 and 1814.
The procession includes a stagecoach, chuck wagon and sheepherder’s wagon. Families lived in these types of wagons for months as they made their way across the country.
At each evening stop, participants will offer educational talks about the wagons and local heritage, with hands-on demonstrations. The public also is encouraged to visit the wagon train at each stop. Along the stops, community residents will present memorabilia to the wagon train, to be included in the Bicentennial Time Capsule.
Friday morning, the wagon train will depart for lunch in Riceville and an overnight stay in Delevan.
Saturday marks a week on the road as it continues to Machias for lunch and dinner and a night’s stay in Franklinville.
And Sunday, it’s on to Ischua along Route 16 for lunch and south to Hinsdale to camp overnight at the American Legion post, long the historic Genesee Canal Lock. Dinner, games and entertainment for the public will be available all evening.
A breakfast buffet will be offered to the public Monday at the Legion post as the wagon train departs for Haskell Hollow for lunch and on to Portville for the night.
Portville hopes to draw northern Pennsylvania visitors to Pioneer Park, where food, games and music will be available. A contest is planned for children, who are encouraged to dress in 1800s garb as cowboys, cowgirls or military members.
Tuesday, the wagon train departs for Olean and Allegany, swinging into the City of Salamanca on Wednesday afternoon, where festivities will concentrate at the re-created 1908 Centennial Arch on Main Street.
