Westville’s Sesquicentennial Celebration continues, and featured a very special ceremony Tuesday evening. Bill Pickett has the details….
Prayers, the ringing of a bell….and bagpipes were all part of a ceremony last night honoring coal miners who died over the years in the Westville area. Gary Delhaye, chairman of the Westville Sesquicentennial Committee, noted the list of casualties is a long one….
{AUDIO: ‘’We’re gathered here tonight on the historic grounds of Rosie’s Tavern to honor all the coal miners that worked in this area, and those that have lost their lives. We have well over 500 names from our general area that worked in the mines who did perish in the mines.’’}
(A small part of the crowd that watched the ceremony. Some in the crowd are descendants of someone who lost their life in a coalmine years ago.)
State Senator Paul Farachi was one of the keynote speakers and said he was impressed with the size of the crowd….
{AUDIO: ‘’If you looked around and just see these community members and all the passion that they have for this community and the rich history. It really is heartwarming. The coal miners sacrificed the ultimate sacrifice…gave the ultimate sacrifice often to make a way for their family and to bring immigrants from (their) homeland here really is a testament to the backbone of the people of Westville.”}
(Some members of a Westville American Legion Honor Guard participated in the ceremony Tuesday evening, August 29, 2023.)
The ‘Ode To The Coal Miners’ event at Rosie’s Tavern in Grape Creek was briefly paused when rain moved into the area. But many in the crowd stayed around to witness the rest of the program. Senator Farachi said he had been looking forward to the event for some time.
It was one of many activities which are taking place as part of Westville’s 150th birthday.
You can find a complete list of activities on the Village of Westville’s website. Some of those include:
— The Conner Family Amusements and Carnival at Westville’s Zamberletti Park each day through Monday (Labor Day) starting at 6:00 p.m. Friday.
— A Car Show featuring ‘Anything on Wheels’ from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. Saturday, September 2nd, at St. Mary’s parking lot.
— A concert at Westville’s Zamberletti Park featuring Tracy Lawrence with Murphy 500 – with gates opening at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, September 2nd.
— Margaritaville featuring 90’s Daughter at St. Mary’s and fireworks at Zamberletti Park — both scheduled Sunday night, September 3, 2023.
— The 112th Annual Westville Labor Day Parade – sponsored by the Westville Lions Club – begins at 11:30 Monday morning, September 4th, 2023, on South State Street (Illinois route one).
