By Darlene Brace
Busti’s 200th Bicentennial Anniversary Celebration Continues September 21- September 24, 2023
This year the Town of Busti, NY has been celebrating its 200th Bicentennial Anniversary. Busti officially became a town and had its first town meeting in April of 1823. The Town of Busti is made up of the Hamlet of Busti and Lakewood, NY. Busti was originally the kickoff celebration for this year’s bicentennial events were held back in April at the Lakewood Rod and Gun. This event included food, entertainment, and a reenactment of the first town meeting. During the summer, there have been many other events, including the Memorial Day Parade, the Miss Busti Contest, a sock hop, a golf tournament, a square dance, and a car show. Now there will be many more events to culminate the bicentennial celebration. Most of these events are free to the public and parking is free too.
In September, the Town of Busti is hosting a culmination event called “The Big Event.” This event will span Thursday September 21st through Sunday September 24th. There will be various activities, food, drink, and entertainment to please people of all ages. Each day there will be a carnival present-ed by Main Event Amusements, and that will be held on the Busti Fireman’s Grounds. Entry to the carnival is free and there will be tickets to purchase to ride the rides. This carnival will showcase many children’s rides, as well as other more thrilling rides. There will also be carnival games and may different types of food concessions. This carnival will be similar to the Busti Gala days of years past, that many of us in the older generations remember attending.
One of the favorite events for children, and for those young at heart, will a be the parade. The parade will be held on Saturday September 23rd at 10am. Lining up to be in the parade will start at 9am at the Busti Tap House. The parade will start at the Busti Tap House and proceed down Busti Sugar-Grove Rd to the 5 spokes in Busti. Then it will continue down Mill Rd and then on to Lawson Rd to the Busti Fireman’s Grounds. This year’s parade will have a typical parade lineup of drawn horses, school bands, floats, firetrucks and more. During this year’s parade there will also be a special float that will be dedicated to honoring local United States’ veterans. There will also be a special treat as the 99 Highlanders Band will perform and march in the parade.
If you still want to participate in the parade, it’s not too late. You can call Darlene Nygren, at 716-763- 8561 at the Busti Town Clerk, to make arrangements.
Throughout “The Big Event” there will a variety of free concerts to enjoy. The free concerts will be held at The Busti Firemen’s Grounds. Be sure to bring a chair, as no chairs will be provided. The bands will play starting Thursday night and continuing throughout Saturday night.
On Thursday night, from 6pm-9pm, the band Happy Days is performing. Happy Days is sure to please people of all ages, as they are known for playing music that was popular throughout the decades of the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. They have captivated local audiences for many years.
Friday night the party will really get into the groove, as the band Smokin’ 45 will be rocking the Hamlet of Busti. They play a fun mix of country music and rock n’ roll. Be ready to hear some great music and maybe dance the night away.
Named after Paul Busti, who was an official of the Holland Land Company. Mr. Busti was responsible for much of the political, economic, and social development of large areas of Western New York in the early1800’s. Osbone Nash is an eclectic duet that are singer songwriting artists. They perform anything from rock, pop, country and folk music covers, as well as some of their own original mu-sic. They will be playing Saturday from 1pm-4pm. The last band of the long weekend celebration will be the Earthquakers. They will play Saturday from 7pm-10pm. The Earthquakers have been playing for over 20 years. They play fun loving, foot stomping rock ‘n’ roll. Whether you have seen them before, or if this is your first time, you’re sure to have an exciting night of fun and dancing.
After the Earthquakers perform, there will be a fireworks display. The fireworks will begin at 10 pm. Bring your chairs and blankets to enjoy the fireworks. It will be an exciting finish to the night-time events of the four-day celebration.
What would this big Busti celebration be without the annual Busti Apple Festival? Most of you are probably well acquainted with this wonderful event. This will be the 49th year for the Busti Apple Festival to take place, and it is presented by the Busti Historical Society.
The Busti Apple Festival takes place at the Busti Mill and Museum grounds on Lawson Road. It is usually the last Sunday in September. This year apple festival attendees will be please to find out that the festival is a two day even. It will be on Saturday Sept 23, from 12pm-6pm and Sunday Septem-ber 24, from 11am- 5pm, rain or shine. The festival consists of various arts and crafts booths, food vendors, as well as demonstrations and displays. You can also visit the restored grist mill, the school-house, and Miller’s House. On Sunday only, there will be carriage and pony rides.
One of the best parts of the Busti Apple Festival is all the yummy things that there are to eat. At the festival, you will find apple festival favorites like homemade pies, apple cider, kettle corn, stone ground flour, and apple butter, to name a few.. You can also buy apples and other locally grown fruits and vegetables. Admission for the Apple Festival will be $5.00 for adults, and children under 12 are free.
For all of the events there will be free parking. When heading to these events and looking where to park, drive to the Busti-Sugar Grove Road and turn near Peterson’s Candy. Near there, they will have signs and people showing you the best place to park for certain events.
This big four-day event is the culmination for the anniversary celebration. There is certainly a wide variety of activities for young and old alike, and it seems there is likely to be something of interest for everyone. So, come on out to Busti this weekend. Join the Busti community in this family fun celebration of its’ 200th Bicentennial Anniversary.