×

Wellsville to hold its first July 4th parade, festival

WELLSVILLE–The village of Wellsville will be celebrating America’s birthday with entertainment and celebration throughout the village.

The Moving Wellsville Forward Committee and Extreme Vocal Experience will be holding the village’s inaugural Independence Day Parade and Festivities, which will run from 10 a.m. through 10 p.m. July 4.

A first for the village with the theme “Land of the Free Because of the Brave”, the over-12 hour celebration will include a variety of food, games, vendors, contests and entertainment for the whole family as it not only celebrated the 242nd anniversary of America’s independence from Great Britain, but also honors those who have served in the armed forces.

“It’ll be our way of celebrating America’s birthday and honoring the troops,” councilman/event co-organizer John Morrow said.

Event co-organizer Tabitha Coil, of Extreme Vocal Experience, fondly remembered growing up in Wellsville and expressed her excitement for holding the all-day event in her hometown.

“I can remember when I was a child, my father, Bob Boley, would take us on the highway at Aten Avenue and sit on the hill there and watch the fireworks,” Coil said. “The parades we had was nice. After all these years it’s nice to see things like this brought back to my home town and being a part of it is awesome.

“I used to march in the band for our parades, and I loved it and now to be able to sing for the day. I cant wait. I just love Wellsville, and I am proud to call it my hometown.”

The festivities will kickoff at 10 a.m. with a parade featuring various floats, organizations, music and other people in festive attire as they march down Main Street. Here, children will also have the opportunity to participate in the parade and will get to decorate their bicycles or power wheels.

According to Morrow and parade organizer Sheryl Gibson, several awards will be presented, including best float and best decorated bike for the children to name a few.

Lineup for the parade starts at 9 a.m., and all are invited to participate.

The day continues at noon with a ceremony held at the Main Street Gazebo, which will pay tribute to soldiers from the village who have fought or served.

The ceremony will include a POW-MIA memorial dedication, which is donated by Operation Rolling Thunder OH-8 Akron, a recognition of those who survived the Bataan Death March and commemorations from two of the village’s war heroes: Pfc. Melvin Newlin and Corp. William Bratt.

A 1966 graduate of Wellsville High School, Newlin served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the 2nd Battalion 5th Marines 1st Marine division during the Vietnam War when he was killed on July 4, 1967 while in battle in Quang Nam Province in South Vietnam.

Newlin-who would have turned 70 this year-was recognized for his heroic efforts and was honored with the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Military Merit Medal, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the highest and most prestigious military honor that can be bestowed, the Medal of Honor.

Newlin’s sister, Mary Newlin-Crago, will be on hand for Pfc. Newlin’s commemoration, while Sgt. Gary Pucci (retired) and Gunnery Sgt. Mario Pucci, both of the U.S. Marine Corps, will present Newlin’s Medal of Honor Citation.

Jim Brickman will also present the commemoration of Corp. Bratt, who was among 10 POWs from World War II to come from the village and also survived the Bataan Death March.

After the war, Bratt-a past County Commander and Commander of the Third Division for the state of Ohio-was a Purple Heart recipient and was active with various organizations including the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Wellsville Elks Lodge prior to his death in 1990.

Both Corp. Bratt and Pfc. Newlin have also been honored with a rededication of a portion of state Route 7 in both of their names. Newlin received the honor in 2002, while Bratt was honored in 2016.

In addition, State Rep. Tim Ginter (R-Salem) will serve as the program’s keynote speaker and members of Extreme Vocal Experience will perform the national anthem.

EVE, meanwhile, will also be entertaining guests throughout the afternoon afterwards, which includes a variety of patriotic music performances from 1-9 p.m., and will also include speeches and letters to home by veterans and their families.

Also taking place throughout the day will be a car and bike show, which will take place on Main Street between Fourth and Fifth Streets from noon until 3 p.m., to which awards will be presented for some of the top cars and bikes afterwards. A raffle drawing from the Wellsville Veterans Memorial Council will also take place at 3 p.m.

In addition, children will have an opportunity to compete in a coloring contest, and adults in a pie baking contest. Judging for both contests will take place at 5 p.m.

The celebration concludes at 10 p.m. with a fireworks display courtesy of Chris Amato and Feezle’s Fireworks.

Food and vendors will also be on hand from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. Morrow said that the festival’s funds came through donations from several sponsors this year, and that no taxpayer dollars were used to hold the event.

Sponsors include Wellsville Terminals, the Pete Amato Foundation, Feezle’s Fireworks and Hancock County Dodge (all four acting as honorary grand marshalls); gold star sponsors Dr. Dharam Batish, in memory of Annabelle and Pfc. Bill Morrow and Pier 48; and bronze star sponsors Hoge’s Restaurant, Riverside Roadhouse, Councilmen John Morrow and Randy Allmon and Roberts Funeral Home.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today