As Edgewater gears up to celebrate its 100th anniversary in concert with the Steamboat Mountain Music Festival this coming weekend, there seems to be one unifying feeling that has made Edgewater such a great place to live over the years.
“Edgewater is a nice and friendly town,” said 84-year-old Betty Sawchuk, who has lived in Edgewater her entire life. “(Growing up), Edgewater was very quiet and very nice, and you knew everybody. The schools were good too, although maybe there was only two or three in a class.”
“Edgewater has a really nice sense of community and it’s just a really nice place,” agreed Elke Bennett, one of the organizers of the upcoming centennial celebration.
Edgewater will play host to a wide range of events and activities, beginning with self-directed historical walks of Edgewater on Friday (July 6) at 4 p.m., which will run throughout the weekend. Then on Saturday (July 7) morning, there will be a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. before the first annual Steamboat Mountain Music Festival hits the stage at Edgewater Elementary School with the likes of musical groups Combo Akimbo, Bob Benvenuti, Mark Koenig and the Dry Gulch Ramblers. That same day, the Edgewater Legion Bar will be offering a beef dip supper from 5 to 8 p.m., during which time the Edgewater Hall will also be open for supper with a special $10 spaghetti dinner (for kids ages 12 and under, $5), from which proceeds will support the renovation of the Edgewater baseball diamond.
“I’m looking forward to seeing some people I haven’t seen in quite some time,” Sawchuk said. “I hope it’s a good turnout and that everyone enjoys themselves.”
On Sunday (July 8), a much-anticipated parade begins at 10 a.m. down Edgewater’s Main Street, led by members of the fire department. There’s still time to enter a float as well, so contact either Bennett or members of the fire department to sign up. There will also be a historical display of Edgewater antiques at the Edgewater Community Hall and, from noon until 4 p.m., there will be a wide range of family activities like treasure hunts and picnic games. One of the most popular of these activities will likely be the duck race down the old flume, featuring some great prizes for the winning entries. Ducks must be purchased from either the Edgewater Hall, the Edgewater Legion or an event organizer by noon on Sunday (July 8), and proceeds again will be going to the Edgewater baseball diamond.
“[The celebration] shows pride in our community, and really it’s a momentous occasion — the town is still standing after a hundred years,” Bennett explained. “I’m looking forward to getting together with people… it’s a day to get together with friends and family. If anyone wants to come out and celebrate with Edgewater, it should be a great day.”
For more information, find the Edgewater’s 100th Birthday page on Facebook.