It will start this Saturday, August 19th; and end on Monday, September 4th with Westville’s 112th annual Labor Day Parade. And during those 17 days they’ll be marking 150 years of Westville history, with the Sesquicentennial Celebration.
Sesquicentennial chairman Gary Delhaye recently joined Laura Williams on 1490 WDAN’s Community Connection program. He said one very special thing on this coming Saturday’s opening day will be a celebration of “Westville’s melting pot.”
AUDIO: It’s called dedication of flags. We have about 22 nationality flags that we ordered; and we’re going to hang across the parking lot of St. Mary’s. And all of the immigrants that immigrated through Ellis Island, and came to Westville to work in the coal mines, all helped build our village. So, we’re going to dedicate those flags with a little ceremony at 4:45 on the 19th, and we’re also going to have a proclamation read that’s actually from Washington, D.C.
Immediately after the dedication of flags ceremony at 4:45 PM, is the International Food Festival and silent auction on the grounds of St. Mary’s Church.
Then, the schedule for this coming Sunday, the 20th; includes a special ride.
AUDIO: We’re really excited about the American Legion Riders from Westville Post 51. They’ve partnered with our efforts, and they’re going to have an historical ride that morning. They’re going to ride 150 miles for Westville. And they’re going to raise money for the Wreaths Across America; and they’re going to actually put the wreaths on the Veterans graves in Westville.
To see a complete schedule of the 17-day Westville Sesquicentennial Celebration, go to the Village of Westville website; or stop by the public library or at numerous area businesses. To hear Laura Williams’ entire interview with Gary Delhaye, just go to https://vermilioncountyfirst.com/the-community-connection/
