Annual Redford Picnic celebrates 161 years

REDFORD — Supervisor Nick Carter recalled going to the Redford Picnic when he was 8 years old. At the time, his uncle Lloyd ran the pie booth and his uncle Jim was in charge of the cane booth at the annual town-wide get together that took place either on or near Aug. 15 every year. He and his brothers helped out back then and now his kids volunteer for the 161-year-old celebration, which took place last weekend. Now, Saranac wants to honor the town tradition by getting a historic marker. Town Historian Jan Couture is in the process of applying for a grant through the William G. Pomeroy Foundation. If approved, Couture's goal is to have the marker up near the Church of Assumption for next year's celebration. Couture was unsure of how much the historic marker costs, but she believes it's well worth the money. "It's not like the regular county fair," she said. "It's unique and filled with history." The Redford Picnic, also known as the "15th of Redford," started in 1855 when the Church of Assumption was dedicated. The celebration back then, Couture said, was a simple local feast of roast beef made by the ladies of the church. Over the years, the event grew and added several events and contests. Each year, a celebratory mass kicks off the day. The picnic dinner of ham or roast beef follows. After, guests can play the antique horse racing game, a game of chance with pie, mini golf and coin tosses. All money raised from the event goes toward supporting the church's renovations and other needs. And who can forget about the carousel? "You have to ride the merry-go-round," Carter said. "It's one of the oldest in the northeast." The 1890s-era Armitage-Herschell carousel, equipped with the original hand-carved horses and chariots and powered by a farm tractor, has been part of the annual celebration for 106 years when a bankrupt traveling show left it behind. The most lively tradition, Couture said, is the families who participated throughout the years. "This is event brings in the same people doing what their grandparents did," Couture said. "It really encompasses our town's heritage and families." For more information about this annual event, visit www.townofsaranac.com.

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Annual Redford Picnic celebrates 161 years

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