By Judy Shuler
Village of Brocton mayor Craig Miller was working on rehabilitation of the gazebo in Ryckman Park when he had a vision of a festival to bring the community together.
“It’s a beautiful park and a festival would be a great way to draw attention to it. The Arch Festival name highlights one of the community’s best assets–the arches.”
A fast-growing Village of Brocton wanted a symbol of its prosperity as home of the Concord Grape. Municipal arches bearing community names were popular, and a double arch for Brocton was approved by the Portland Centennial Association in 1913, the 100th birthday of the town. Believed to be the only remaining four-way street arch in the United States today, it was posted to the National Register of Historic Places on February 22, 1996.
The Village of Brocton will host its inaugural Arch Festival on Saturday, October 15, from 11-5pm at Ryckman Park on Fay Street. Members of the festival committee include Miller; Village Trustee Kari Doino; and Ahira Hall Memorial Library personnel–director Julie Morrison Putcher, assistant director Merrie Hanmann, and staff member MariBeth Patterson. Hanmann designed the arch logo for the festival.
In preparing for the Arch Festival, members of the committee have been gathering additional historical information about the arches that will be shared with the community.
“I’m a big fan of beautification,” Miller says. “The kiosk in front of City Hall was rotting badly. “I had it torn down and rebuilt.” He credits village employees who were an integral part of the process—Patrick McCloskey, Jimmy Dolce, and Joe Majkowski, who was able to wire it with original lighting from the arch. Historical signs were also damaged; Miller wants to replace them with new photos based on history of the arches.
“Since I’ve been mayor, we’ve had nothing but positive comments,” he says of his interest in beautification. Miller was village trustee for seven years, deputy mayor one year. He became mayor after former mayor Art Miller (no relation) resigned in mid-May. The area opposite Village Hall, Arch Park, is overgrown and neglected, he says. “I’m going to have all that torn out and have a community garden there next spring.”
The gazebo in Ryckman Park has been a target for vandals and a crew has just been hired to put on new roof. The village is looking into a grant for a security camera, he says. He also hopes the park will get greater appreciation and use. Ahira Hall Library currently sponsors summer concerts in the park.
The village is charging $20 for vendors to set up at the Arch Festival, with proceeds going to the Brocton-Portland Food Pantry and the Ahira Hall Memorial Library.
In addition, the Brocton Volunteer Fire Department will be selling hot dogs, hamburgers, and chili to raise funds for the fire department. The village hopes to continue the festival in the future. Contact the village office at (716) 792-4160 for more information.