Collaborative Children’s Solutions owner Pat Smeraldo is organizing this year’s event in conjunction with the city of Jamestown. The festival has been on hold for the last two years due to the Pandemic.

Smeraldo said the Dan Feather 5K will be in the morning with the Arts & Craft Show starting at 11:00 a.m., “And then at noon is when the entertainment begins and the food vendors begin. So, the park will be open at 11 but at noon is when the entertainment will start and not only music but Randy Grey with Southern Tier Wrestling and Mike Baron‘s magician shows, petting zoo, Scott Mekus will be up there doing kids games and bingo.”

Smeraldo said the Jamestown Area Central Labor Council AFL-CIO will present the George Ritzer Labor Award at 4:30 p.m. on the main stage.

The fireworks show by Zambelli Fireworks Internationale will take place about 8:30 p.m.

While admission to the park is free, parking for the event is $5 with proceeds going toward the festival.

Jamestown City Council (August 29, 2022)

Jamestown City Council has approved allocating another $3 million to home improvement and business improvement programs funded through the American Rescue Plan Act monies.

The Roof, Private Sewer Lateral, Private Water Line Repair/Replacement Program received an additional $2 million with the Building & Property Infrastructure Improvements program receiving an additional $1 million.

Council President Tony Dolce said both programs had originally been funded with $750,000, “When we first passed this several months ago, we weren’t sure how much we would need. This just increases the amount to cover some of the need that’s been out there that people have requested. So, it’s really good for the city, for the citizens, for the businesses in the community.”

Dolce said for the roof and sewer program, homeowners who had received letters saying they were approved pending more funding will now receive that funding. He said the application process will not be reopened for either the housing nor business program.

Council approved an agreement with Zambelli Fireworks in the amount of $19,500 for the Labor Day Fest fireworks show on Sunday, September 4.

Citizen Doug Champ spoke out against the funding of the fireworks show, saying the money would be better used to support or enhance the Parks Department, “You could buy 50 recycled park benches for $385. You can create a tree and shrubbery specimen botanical garden for people to look and observe various species that can grow in our zone with potential use in their property. You can buy 19 full-sized picnic tables at a thousand dollars a pop.”

Champ also cited negative environmental impact caused by fireworks as additional reasons for not funding the program.

Dolce said he understands that fireworks are expensive but it’s not something the city does on a regular basis, “People enjoy it. They’ve come to expect it, especially on Labor Day. A lot of people, that’s the highlight of the day for them. They go up and picnic. Again, I understand his concerns but I just think it’s one of things where the community.. it’s been three years since they’ve really had a chance to celebrate. And it’s not something we do every day and we try to do the best we can to make it as safe as possible.”

Dolce said the funding is coming from the city budget’s Parks Festival line.

Council tabled a resolution to fund the 19A Homeownership program with $750,000 of ARPA monies. Dolce said the Finance Committee had questions that were not answered prior to the voting session and that the resolution will likely be on the September agenda for reconsideration.

Council also approved appointments by Mayor Eddie Sundquist to the Salary Review Commission. Former City Comptrollers Joe Bellitto and Ryan Thompson were named to the advisory group as well as Heather Greenfield, who is the Financial Coordinator for the Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency.

Dolce said he, as Council President, as will have three appointments that he hopes to bring forward in September, “The City Charter requires that we put together a Salary Review Commission every four years to review the salaries of all elected officials. That would be the City Council as well as the Mayor. And then they make a recommendation back to the City Council as to what they think the salaries should be, should they be changed, added, whatever, and then the Council gets to vote on it.”

Any salary changes would not go into effect until January 1, 2024. Dolce added that the Mayor’s salary is $72,000 which hasn’t had an increase since 2008, “If you look at the list of salaried employees in the city, the chief executive officer (mayor) is way down at the bottom below firemen, policemen, and other city workers, so maybe it’s time to look at that. The City Council, it’s been 38 years since there has been an adjustment.”

Council members receive a $5,000 salary with the Council President receiving an additional $1,000 stipend.

Dolce also announced details have been finalized for a city-wide public forum. The event will be held at Christ First United Methodist Church located at 663 Lakeview Avenue at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 14. Dolce said Jamestown Police Chief Tim Jackson will be on hand to discuss and answer questions about public safety with Director of Development Crystal Surdyk also attending to discuss housing concerns. The forum is open to the public.

Jamestown City Council

The Roof, Private Sewer Lateral, Private Water Line Repair/Replacement Program had originally been funded with $750,000. The administration requested an additional $2 million as only 30 applications were able to be approved of the 131 received. City Director of Development Crystal Surdyk had stated at work sessions that the additional funding will make it possible to fund the rest of the applications that met guidelines. The program will not be re-opened for new applicants.

A resolution requesting an additional $1 million in ARPA funds for the Building & Property Infrastructure Improvements program will be considered. Like the roof and sewer repair program, the additional funds will just go toward businesses that have already applied for funding.

Council will also vote on a resolution to fund the 19A Homeownership program with $750,000 using ARPA monies. Under state law, municipalities can take ownership of properties that are vacant and either have one year of unpaid taxes or are subject to an order of condemnation.

Assistant Corporation Counsel Ben Haskins, addressing the Housing Committee, said the funding would be used to rehabilitate those houses, “And selling them to people who, A, reside in them for five years as a owner-occupant; B, during that time pay their taxes on time; and, C, once all the initial code enforcement violations that were written up upon taking title are fixed, that they will ameliorate further code enforcement that arises over that five year period.”

Under new business, Council will vote on a resolution to enter into an agreement with Zambelli Fireworks in the amount of $19,500 for the Labor Day Fest fireworks show on Sunday, September 4. According to the staff report, Collaborative Children’s Solutions, who is organizing this year’s festival, recommended Zambelli’s bid over a lower bid of $14,000 by Young Explosives, saying Young did not have the shell capacity for the type of show the Labor Day Festival Committee requested. The staff report said the funding is coming from the Parks Festival Budget.

City Council will have a work session at 7:00 p.m. in the Police Training Room on the fourth floor of City Hall. The voting session will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers on the second floor. The voting session is open to the public and will be livestreamed on jamestownny.gov.

The 36^th Annual Greater Jamestown Labor Day Festival will be held Sunday, Sept. 6 from noon until 9:00 p.m. at Bergman Park. According to organizers the event is a community celebration designed to honor the labor force of the city and surrounding area.

There is no cost to attend the festival, unless parking in Bergman Park, which will cost $5 per vehicle. However, everyone who pays will be entered to win a prize and all money raised is used to directly fund festival activities.

The Arts & Crafts fair begins at 11 a.m. and will feature over 20 vendors from all over Western New York and some vendors from Pennsylvania. All vendors are required to sell hand-made items

Live music begins at noon and will be featured on two stages with performances by The Bogarts, Teachers, Preachers and & Trent, We Speak Canadian, Two for Flinching, Jamestown Harmony Express, Razz & the JCC Band, Davis and Eng, and No Limit.

The Food Court opens at noon with all profits from the concessions benefitting not-for-profit organizations in the Greater Jamestown Area. In addition, there will be a wine and beer dining tent sponsored by Game Time Sports Bar & Grill for attendees 21 and older.

Chautauqua Striders will also hold the annual Dan Feather Memorial 5k Run/Walk at 9:30 a.m. with registration starting at 8 a.m.

Free Pepsi Bingo games will take place in the main pavilion starting at noon. Free kids carnival games including a bounce house by Eventz by Scott will start at 2 p.m.

The day will be capped off by a fireworks display by Zambelli Fireworks Internationale. Committee organizers are recommending that participants get to the park early enough to reserve a prime location on the lawn in front of the main stage for the best view of the fireworks, which begins when the final band, Two For Flinching, finishes its performance around 8:30 p.m.

For more details on Festival events, visit the City’s website at jamestownny.net or call the Parks Department at 483-7523

Listen

The Greater Jamestown Labor Day Festival is a community celebration designed to honor the labor force of the city and surrounding area. All money raised is used to directly fund festival activities and support the host of non-profit community service agencies who participate.

Committee organizers are recommending that festival participants get to the park early enough to reserve a prime location on the lawn in front of the main stage in order to be in the middle of the fireworks extravaganza by Zambelli Fireworks Internationale, which begins when the final band, Two For Flinching, finishes its performance around 8:30 p.m.

“Get to Bergman Park early Sunday, September 6th. Pick your spot on the lawn in front of the main stage. Get some food. Visit the vendors and crafters. Take the kids to play some games. Then enjoy the biggest fireworks display the region has to offer. The only way is to be right in the middle of all the action,” said Mayor Teresi.

People parking their cars at Bergman Park will receive a ticket to enter into a drawing at the Information Booth for a chance to win a $100 Visa Gift card that is being sponsored by Ahlstrom Schaeffer Electric Corporation. Ahlstrom Schaeffer provides electrical services for industrial, commercial, institutional and construction businesses. There will also be two chances to win a season ticket for the Southern Tier Xpress Hockey League games. Parking is $5.00. The prize drawing will take place at on the Main Stage just prior to the fireworks show.

Live music begins at noon and will be featured on two stages. The lineup includes:

Main Stage

• 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. The Bogarts
• 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. Teachers, Preachers & Trent
• 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. We Speak Canadian
• 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Two For Flinching

Second Stage

• 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Jamestown Harmony Express
• 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Razz & the JCC Band, featuring Victoria McIlvain on vocals
• 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Davis & Eng
• 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. No Limit

The Food Court opens at noon with all profits from the concessions benefitting not-for-profit organizations in the Greater Jamestown Area. All organizations will be selling Pepsi products. In addition, there will be a wine and beer dining tent sponsored by Game Time Sports Bar & Grill for attendees 21 and older.

Chautauqua Striders will hold the annual Dan Feather Memorial 5k Run/Walk at 9:30 a.m. with registration starting at 8 a.m.

The Arts & Crafts fair begins at 11 a.m. and will feature over 20 vendors from all over Western New York and some vendors from Pennsylvania. All vendors are required to sell hand-made items.

Free Pepsi Bingo games will take place in the main pavilion starting at noon. Free kids carnival games including a bounce house by Eventz by Scott will start at 2 p.m.

The Jamestown Area Central Labor Council AFL-CIO will present a deserving member of the area workforce the George Ritzer Labor Award at 4 p.m. on the main stage.

Sponsors of the Labor Day Festival include the City of Jamestown, Media One Group, Ahlstrom-Schaeffer, Pepsi of Jamestown, IBEW Local 106, and Jamestown Area Central Labor Council AFL-CIO.

For more details on Festival events, visit the City’s website at jamestownny.net or call the Parks Department at 483-7523.

The Greater Jamestown Labor Day Festival is a community celebration designed to honor the labor force of the city and surrounding area, widely recognized as the very best in the nation. All money raised is used to directly fund festival activities and support the host of non-profit community service agencies who participate.

As with past years, there will be a fireworks extravaganza by Zambelli Fireworks Internationale at the end of the festival, which begins when the final band, Two For Flinching, finishes its performance around 8:30 p.m.

The Jamestown Area Central Labor Council AFL-CIO will present a deserving member of the area workforce the George Ritzer Labor Award at 4 p.m. on the main stage.

And Chautauqua Striders will once again hold the annual Dan Feature Memorial 5k Run/Walk at 9:30 a.m. with registration starting at 8 a.m.

The Food Court opens at noon with all profits from the concessions benefitting not-for-profit organizations in the Greater Jamestown Area.

Live music will be provided throughout the day at two stages and will feature songs from various acts – including The Jamestown Harmony Express, Razzer’s Jazzers, the Bogarts, Cindy Love, We Speak Canadian, and Teachers, Preachers and Trent – along with the aforementioned Two for Flinching.

People parking their cars at Bergman Park will receive a ticket to enter into a drawing at the Information Booth for a chance to win a $100 Visa Gift card that is being sponsored by Ahlstrom Schaeffer Electric Corporation.

For more details on Festival events, visit the City’s website at jamestownny.net or call the Parks Department at 483-7523. WRFA will also talk with festival organizers during the Aug. 28 episode of Community Matters.