SALAMANCA — From near and far, for young and old, traditional and modern. Those words and more can describe all the entertainment coming to the Salamanca-Seneca Falling Leaves Festival this year.
Each year, patrons to the annual fall fest in Salamanca have the opportunity to see and hear the variety of performances the festival has to offer each day.
All the events are free of charge and will be located under the big tent in Jefferson Street Park next to Rite Aid.
“It’s a central location and helps keep everyone together,” explained Ross Ledsome, one of the festival committee co-chairs. “And in case of rain, we have that big tent, so there shouldn’t ever be a problem. The show will always go on.”
To kick off the festival on Friday, Sept. 28, festival attendees will once again have the chance to see professional men and women wrestlers from Empire State Wrestling at 5 p.m.
Scheduled to appear are former World Wrestling Entertainment stars Shannon Moore and Colin Delaney. ESW regulars such as reigning ESW Interstate Champion Anthony Gaines, Kevin Bennett, Daniel Garcia and several more will also take their turns in the ring.
Over half of ESW’s performers reside in the Western New York area. Also, as Western New York’s premier independent professional wrestling promotion, ESW over the years has hosted many of pro wrestling’s top up-and-comers and biggest legends.
Afterwards, attendees will have the opportunity to meet their favorite regional wrestlers.
The entertainment continues Saturday with three area music groups performing under the big tent in the park throughout the afternoon and evening.
At 1 p.m., the Happy Days Band, comprised of husband, wife and daughter team from the Jamestown, plays a little bit of everything from 1980s pop and rock tunes to Elvis Presley.
“They’re a small, little group but they put on a real good show,” Ledsome said.
Following the Happy Days Band, the Cold Spring Indian Dancers, a local group of Native American traditional dancers, will take the stage at 3 p.m. They previously danced at the Celebrate Salamanca Day festival earlier in the summer.
Different from previous years, the Saturday night dance will take place under the big tent in the park with the Porcelain Bus Drivers providing the tunes.
“They do a bit of everything,” Ledsome said. “They’re really well known and should draw a lot of people.”
While the grand parade may be one of the featured highlights of the festival on Sunday, several of the musical acts marching in it will keep the music going afterward in the park
Three of the parade’s musical units — the Hitmen, the Marilla Band and Northcoast Brass — will be performing under the tent for about an hour, playing approximately 20 minutes each.
There will be plenty of time for parade watchers to sit and rest, grab a bite and listen to some more great music.
“By keeping everyone in one area, it keeps the festival condensed,” Ledsome said. “I think it’s a warmer atmosphere that way, instead of having everybody spread out.”
Whether you’re into wrestling or dancing, or listening to oldies, rock or jazzy instrumentals, the Falling Leaves Festival has plenty of entertainment to offer.
(Contact editor Kellen Quigley at kquigleysp@gmail.com)
