Cameron County Sesquicentennial Parade

Thousands Brave the Weather to Attend Sesquicentennial Parade


Cameron County’s 150th Birthday parade stepped off at noon on Saturday with 8 divisions. Intermittent rain showers and gusty winds did not deter the crowd as the entire one mile route was filled with parade watchers. The gusty winds necessitated a helium balloon change. Albert the Eagle did not make an appearance; he was replaced with a clown balloon that charmed the crowd with his grin and head on his hands as he reclined throughout the parade route.

Division winners were awarded trophies donated by the Emporium Foundation. The following is a complete list of winners:
Floats 1st Place Sinnemahoning Volunteer Fire Department/DCNR
Floats 2nd Place Emporium Rotary Club
Marching Band: Cameron County High School
Business Entry 1st Place Citizens Northern Bank
Business Entry 2nd Place Northwest Savings Bank
Equestrian 1st Place Bear Hill Horse Logging
Equestrian 2nd Place Cindy Moore’s Mini Horses
Fire Apparatus Brush Trucks 1st Place Fox Township
Fire Apparatus Brush Trucks 2nd Place Smethport
Oldest Motorized Emergency Vehicle 1st Place Crystal Fire Department
Ambulance 1st Place Coudersport
Ambulance 2nd Place Emporium
Special Unit/Rescue 1st Place Elk County Hazmat
Special Unit/Rescue 2nd Place Mountaineer Search & Rescue
Over 1500 gpm minute Pumper 1st Place Kane Fire Department
1000 gpm minute Pumper 2nd Place Sinnemahoning Volunteer Fire Department
Tractor 1st Place Scott Lyon
Tractor 2nd Place Lance Lewis
Vehicles 1st Place Brad Reed
Vehicles 2nd Place Jeffrey Singer
Marching Unit 1st Place Cameron County Memorial Detail
Marching Unit 2nd Place Bucktails

Two trophies were awarded for the best units in the parade. The Cameron County Commissioners Award went to Bear Hill Horse Logging for their depiction of 150 years of Logging. The Cameron County High School Marching Band took home the Emporium Foundation Award.

Following the parade nearly 850 rubber ducks participated in the duck derby. It took the bright yellow quackers nearly 45 minutes to swim in the low water conditions from the Broad Street bridge to the gazebo on Front Street. The Cameron County Community Chest raised over $1000.00 from the duck derby. The winner of $100.00 was Debbie Hathaway, 2nd place finisher was Sherrie Guisto and the third duck to cross the finish line was adopted by Dee Bailey.

Emporium Rotary Club chanced off a handmade tomahawk by Ron Luckenbill. The winner was Paul Schneider from St. Marys. Winning a $100.00 gift certificate from Olivetts Shur Fine was Mike Smith from Emporium, and a $50.00 gift certificate from Sheetz went to Romie Catalone from Emporium. Cameron County Quilters gave their hand crafted work of art away on Saturday. The winner is from Maryland, Debby Bennett.

Cameron County Chamber of Commerce Director, Tina Johns Lorson noted that the Sesquicentennial events are not over! During the weekend of October 16-17 a geocache event will be held. “Participants will be limited to 300! They will have the entire weekend to find 15 of 33 caches hidden just for Sesquicentennial. If they find 15 and stamp the passport, they will be awarded a limited bronze colored pressed metal coin.” Anyone wishing to reserve a passport is to call the chamber at 814-486-4314.