Ransomville celebrations include Flag Day parade & Community Faire

By Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

The Town of Porter “Hometown Heroes” banners have returned for 2025. Enjoyable weather is once again upon us. And the annual Ransomville Flag Day parade and Community Faire returns to kick off the summer season in the hamlet starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 14.

Presented by the Ransomville business community and Ransomville Free Library, this year’s parade in honor of Flag Day begins at O. Leo Curtiss American Legion Post 830, 2589 Youngstown Lockport Road (Route 93). It continues to the Ransomville Free Library, at 3733 Ransomville Road. As in past years, look for appearances by the Ransomville Volunteer Fire Co., along with area law enforcement units, the MacKenzie Highlanders’ Pipes and Drums corps, community organizations, dance troops, members of Scouting America, representation by local agriculture and a visit by Farmers Feed America, and a return of the Alleghany Shriners mini cars. The theme for this year’s parade is “Wish Upon a Star.”

This decades-old community celebration traces its beginnings to 1969, where students of the former W.H. Stephenson Elementary School celebrated Flag Day with a parade of all U.S. state flags on the campus grounds. The annual celebration ended in 2014 with the closing of Stephenson by the Wilson School District. It returned in 2016 as a community affair organized by Ruth Ann Buzzard, a former Wilson instructor, with assistance from a number of local interests.

The activities open Thursday, June 12, with programs taking place at the Ransomville Free Library. According to Phila Ibaugh, library director, included is a two-day book sale by the Friends (10 a.m.-9 p.m. June 12; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 13; and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 14). On June 12, the country western band West of the Mark will perform from 7-9 p.m. behind the library at the gazebo. There will be a food truck, and a basket auction, too.

On June 14, the Community Faire continues with a variety of programs at the library from 10 to 3 p.m. In addition to the parade, look for food, entertainment, and military banners along the roadways – and some neat items for sale. The Ransomville Historical Building behind the library will host a basket auction, and 50/50 raffle on Saturday.

For more information on this year’s Ransomville celebrations, visit the Ransomville Free Library on Facebook or call 716-791-4073.