May 12th Bicentennial Celebration in Fairport Highlights May Festivities.

The Village of Fairport can trace its originals back to May 16, 1812.  The Village's Bicentennial Year has to date celebrated this important event with an ecumenical choir event and three historical based programs.  This Saturday, May 12th will be the official Village Birthday Party.  This Saturday and the rest of the month of May promise to hold many unique tributes to the village history.

Saturday's celebration begins with baseball and softball games being played at Urbanski and Cardina Fields respectively.  Both sports have steep traditions in the village annals.  A 'Ball Caps from the Past' display will be on site during the contests.  At 2pm, local and state dignitaries will kick-off the official program for the bicentennial.  Cake will be served and various tributes to village events and personalities will be featured.  A Bicentennial U.S. Postal Station will be in place for part of the day for residents and visitors to obtain historical cancellations noting this signature event.  On the hill at the Fairport Lighthouse at 7pm, residents are invited to a flying sky lanterns launch.  This evening event is sponsored by the Fairport Harbor Historical Society.

Memorial Day Weekend continues the month long celebration festivities with a Progressive Tour Weekend.  May 26th will feature a morning tour of the Grand River Lighthouse at Fairport.  The afternoon will feature a historical tour of the Fairport Schools.  On May 27th, a program is planned at Huntington Beach.  Lake Metroparks and the Village will collaborate.  Monday, May 28th ends the Progressive Tour Weekend with a morning tour of the Village Churches.  Late afternoon will feature two historic walking tours.

Additional bicentennial programs will be occur July 5, July 7, August 23, September 27, and October 25th.  A  time capsule dedication on October 27th will conclude the year-long celebration.  All visitors and residents of Lake County are invited to help the community of Fairport recall, reconnect, or rediscover their hometown.  For information on all village bicentennial events, stop by the Fairport Public Library during open hours or visit www.fairportharbor.org or www.fairportlighthouse.com