Hamlin hosting Heritage Day August 27

In what is hoped to be the first of many, Hamlin will be hosting its first Heritage Day. "This event came about because the Sesquicentennial Committee decided they should honor Hamlin residents, past or present, living or dead and we came up with this event," Shirley Hollink, town councilwoman explained.

On the day of the event, the Hamlin Heritage Award will be presented. Nine individuals who have made a difference in Hamlin were nominated for the Heritage Award and the winner will be announced the night of the event and will receive an award. Their name will be inscribed on a plaque that will hang in the town hall.

Individuals are nominated for the award based on their contributions to the town. Nominations are available at the town hall or on-line at www.hamlinny.org. "The nominees have to have made a significant impact or contribution to the town," Hollink said. The final decision is made by a committee whose members will remain anonymous.

The event will be held on August 27 of every year in honor of Hamlin's founding father, Hannibal Hamlin. He served as vice president for the nation's 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. "There will be a birthday cake following the presentation of the Heritage Award," Hollink said.

The combined Heritage Award/Sesquicentennial activities kick off at 5:30 p.m. with a strolling barbershop quartet. The Lions Club will be selling food and there will be memorabilia and a Helen Smagorinski print will be raffled off. There will be popcorn and souvenirs for the children.

The official ceremony takes place at 7 p.m. with Senator George Maziarz, Assemblyman Charles Nesbitt, Monroe County Legislator Wayne Zyra and Hollink will be guest speakers. Following the presentation of the award and recognition of past supervisors, the Golden Eagle String Band will perform and at 8:45 p.m. fireworks will close out the night.

"We hope this event brings people back to the roots of Hamlin and gets them thinking about all of the good that various people have done here to make the town what it is today," Hollink said. "It's just going to be a good, family-oriented old fashioned celebration."