Many contributed to a very successful July 3rd celebration in Albion

Editor:

The July 3rd Independence Day Celebration, sponsored by the Village of Albion Recreation Department, drew thousands of people from all across the region for an afternoon and evening of family fun and relaxation.

People came to Bullard Park from the neighboring counties for the annual chicken barbecue, to hear the music from the three bands, to purchase food and beverages from the many vendors, to visit the artisans who set up their business, and of course for the fireworks which capped off the evening. We would like to see this celebration every July 3rd moving forward and in many years ahead. It took a supportive community to make all this come together.

I was asked by a reporter if I was shocked to see the park packed with people. I responded with NO. I knew it would be packed because Albion has been craving this for several years.

I should apologize before I start naming all those who contributed to this event. I am sure I will leave names or organizations out.

Special thanks to June Persia and Jeff Holler who chaired the food vendors and artisans. Thanks to Chief David Mogle and the Village of Albion Police Department, Jay Pahura and his Village Street Department, Village of Albion Office Staff, the Village Mayor and Board of Trustees, GACRE Committee, Village Recreation Committee, Albion Fire Department, Bernie Baldwin, Diana Grillo who assisted on a daily basis, Tom O’Hearn and his cookers consisting of Dusty DeCarlo, Gary VanWycke, David Vagg, Dean London, Andrew London, Mark Restivo, Ray Stefani, and Kevin Sheehan. They cooked the best chicken barbecue around.

To the servers consisting of Theresa O’Hearn, Nicole DeCarlo, Denise London, Annette Grillo Finch, Laurie Tully along with the members of the GACRE and Recreation Committee, Tom Brown and Mark Johnson for providing golf carts, John Bigley and Mike Beach for staying to the end, GO Art! for the grant, Terry Wilbert and Dick Remley with the Town of Albion, Village Recreation Park Staff, to all the businesses who allowed donations jars at their locations, to the fabulous donors who contributed to the cost of the fireworks, Young Explosives for a fine fireworks show, to the bands consisting of Ryan and Company, 104 Country and the Who Dats for the wonderful music, Brad London, Tom Rivers and Natalie Baron from the Orleans Hub, Ron Albertson and Keeler Construction for the lighting, and Dora and Partick from Save-A-Lot.

Once again, I apologize if I failed to remember others.

We are still collecting donations for next year, 2026. Send checks to the Village of Albion, 35 East Bank Street, Albion, NY 14411 and make checks payable to the Village of Albion with a memo of Fireworks.

This community should stand proud. Thank you for all the support.

Sincerely,

John J. Grillo

Village of Albion

Recreation Director