YBPA planning for big 2026

By Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

The Youngstown Business and Professional Association got down to business Feb. 10 at its winter membership meeting at Ray’s Tavern in Porter. Attendees learned more about local happenings planned for 2026 – including the annual O’Riordan St. Patrick’s Day Parade leading off at noon Saturday, March 14 on Main Street; and YBPA’s 15^th “Beginning of Summer Street Dance and Car Cruise” set for 6 p.m. Thursday, June 25.

One notable occasion was revealed by Robert Emerson, executive director of the Old Fort Niagara Association. He discussed site’s involvement in the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations taking place this summer.

“The Niagara County celebration is going to take place at Old Fort Niagara, which is, of course, the only thing that was here in 1776,” Emerson said. “The big celebration is going to be on Aug. 1. That is when the final signers of the Declaration of Independence signed that document. We decided not to do anything on July 4 weekend because everything's going on July 4 weekend. So, we're going with Aug. 1.”

Emerson offered attendees a glimpse into what could be in store for the memorable event: a potential visit by the Fort Drum Army Band; and an all-countywide high school band evening performance to be directed by colonial music experts Dave and Ginger Hildebrand of Annapolis, Maryland.

“They’re big time,” Emerson said. “And we’re planning an after-dark drone light show taking over the Fort. The plan is the evening program will be free and open to the public, and the drone light show should be really cool. We're working with a company out of California called Skyworks. And they have done drone light shows for the Super Bowl, so they're absolutely top-notch people.”

Emerson said OFN has been working with the Niagara County Legislature and state officials on securing funding as plans move forward for the summer celebration.

“It’s going to be free and open to the public. We’ve been working with Niagara County Emergency Services because we’re a lot of people,” he said. “That’s what’s going on for the 250th in Niagara County.”

More information on Fort Niagara is available at www.oldfortniagara.org.

For additional details on YBPA happenings, visit the association’s website, www.youngstownny.com or its Facebook pages.