Hamburg’s Our Town Foundation dedicated the State Street Square at Party on the Square with music, pie eating contest, magic, food and a Dunk Tank on July 23.
“Our Town Foundation has purchased this property and plans to beautify it with grant money as it becomes available,” said Hamburg Borough Council President Martha Bertolet. “The Borough supports the improvements OTF has made in our community. Thanks to Deena and many volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to improve this community.”
“The real function of Our Town Foundation is to make our community a better place to live and work. This is one of the things we believe will add quality to our community,” said OTF Board President Steve Keifer. “All of this in fact takes many, many volunteer hours and I want to thank those who volunteered here today to get this celebration ready.”
Keifer said there were more than 9,400 volunteer hours that were committed to OTF throughout last year for the various OTF events, including improvements at Hamburg Strand, Clean Up Days, Hamburg-er Festival, creating a vision for the community and special events like the Party on the Square, and the Art Gallery.
“Thank you for all those people who have been a part of this movement in our community,” he said. “If you have not been a part of it, we welcome you and I would encourage you to help us make our community a better place to work, play and live.”
Deena Kershner, Executive Director of the Our Town Foundation, said the lot located next to Ala Mode Ice Cream & Dessert Parlor on State Street was purchased on July 1, 2015 by OTF. The property was previously owned by the late Sally Balthaser.
“At one time there were thriving businesses in front of this lot and then it was torn down,” said Kershner. “Sally always kept it as a lot because she knew if she wanted to sell her corner property on Third and State streets, she would need to have parking available.”
A few years ago after Sally’s passing, OTF looked into buying both properties finding it not feasible to purchase the corner property and about one year ago OTF purchased the lot.
“Not only for Hamburg-er Fest expansion but for other community events,” said Kershner.
Hamburg Farmer’s Market is now held on the Square on Sundays. OTF would like to expand the Arts Fest to the Square. Other ideas include a monthly flea market.
“We want it to remain an open space for the community,” she said. “We want families to have a space to build snowmen in the winter or to be able to play ball.”
Kershner has applied for grants to erect a pavilion with a concrete floor, add a parking lot in the rear, add lighting and to connect water and sewer lines. OTF would like to beautify the lot through adding landscaped areas and public art. A mural will be painted on the adjacent wall of the property. Read more about the mural next issue.
The State Street Square Dedication included the unveiling of a large kinetic sculpture called Transcending Tides made by nationally renowned artist Jeff Kahn, Lenhartsville, who is a founding member of the Hamburg Area Arts Alliance. He donated the sculpture to OTF for the Square, which was erected on Saturday for the celebration. All of his sculpture move and are air driven.
“Hopefully it will generate some pleasure, maybe a little inspiration,” said Kahn. “I’m proud and happy to have my piece as the first kinetic sculpture in Hamburg.”
The Party on the Square included a Pie Eating Contest which was won by Daniel Howell, 13, Hamburg. He received a $25 gift card to Redner’s for eating his entire pie first.
Magician Rich Gerber entertained children with humor and magic, getting a couple of young volunteers to help with his show.
Hamburg resident Greg Adams, of Blue Mountain Wildlife Inc., displayed photos of the Rock and the Kernsville Dam Recreation Area. The recent YouTube video that has attracted crowds to the Rock was a hot topic during the Party on the Square.
Girl Scout Troop 1359 of Kempton members Katelyn Greenawalt, 16; Megan Dieter, 15; and Ellisson Kunkel, 14, provided games, which was a fundraiser for a trip to London in 2017.
Todd Rowlands, Hamburg, dunked Westy waitress Ashley Medernach, Hamburg.
“We know this is a great family function and want to do things to help the town out,” said Medernach. “I think it’s great what they’re doing here. I’ll do whatever to help raise money. I love this town.”
“There’s a lot of potential they can do here,” Rowlands said about the Square. “They can do a lot of things with it.”
His wife Linda said the Party on the Square was great. Her favorite part was seeing people and talking to those she knows.
“It’s open, it’s convenient. I hope they make a lot of use out of it,” said Linda.
Lori LaPearl with OTF likes that the Party on the Square helped bring together people in the community. She loves the new Square.
“We now have more space for Hamburg-er Festival and to be able to turn this into another park, I just think it’s a really great idea,” said LaPearl.
Brian Warfel, Hamburg artist, volunteered with set up and tear down for the event.
“It’s a big patch of land that is closer to the downtown that has very many possibilities in the future. It’s like a blank slate to be able to do anything with,” said Warfel.
