Published: August 17, 2008 12:49 am      

SUNNY SIDE UP: August Festival is a weekend worth savoring

LOCKPORT — By Bill Wolcott

wolcottb@gnnewspaper.com

NEWFANE — Both sides of the street were sunny at Newfane’s August Festival and Sidewalk Sale on Route 78 Saturday.

Folks filled the sidewalks and curbs while children scooted out for hard candy and beads that were tossed by members of service groups and office-seekers in the parade.

During the parade, there was a lull in sales at the sidewalks. Ted Kadlubowski, the bus driver for Buffalo Sabres’ opponents for 33 years, was providing company for Linda Johnson, who was selling collectibles in front of Linda’s Sewing Shop.

Kadlubowski, 77, acquired a special collectible of his own prior to the NHL draft. He was called upon to chauffeur Wayne Gretzky and Gretzky’s son from Prior Aviation in Cheektowaga who visited Gretzky’s new winery in St. Catharines, Ont.

The Hockey Hall of Famer known as “The Great One,” gave the Wright’s Corners resident a bottle of wine and an autograph that read “To Ted, (You are the Great One). Wayne Gretzky.”

The border guard recognized Gretzky in the limo at the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and said, “Are you Wayne Gretzky? Oh my God! I love you.”

The parade was bigger than last year and growing each year, according to Laura Rutland, the head of the parade committee. “The weather is awesome and there’s there are lots of local business

participants.

Kirsten Hennberry,17; Kelly Sullivan, 18, and Carrie Gow, 18, recent graduates of Newfane High School caught some rays along the Main Street curb, leaving the shade of a tree.

Not long ago, the trio was in the parade with the Newfane cheerleading team. They were able to gather beads and candy in between text-messaging. “It’s pretty cool,” said Kelly, as she took an important message.

“The parade is going awesome,” said Sue Neidlinger of Shoppe on Main Street. “The weather is perfect. It was perfect last night for bike night and this morning it just kept right on going.”

Newfane Methodist Church won the prize as the best float. Newfane Family Dentistry was second and the combined float for the Inter-Community Hospital and Lockport Memorial Hospital was third.

Youngsters on the dentistry float sprayed onlookers with water rifles and carried the message “defend against decay.” Inter-Community is celebrating its 50th year and Lockport Memorial is celebrating its 100th year.

The Mark Mazur Little Big Band took the top prize and the Dixi Land Band was second. The Lockport Flips Dream Team earned third with its cheers.

At the Habitat for Humanity booth, residents were permitted to sign 2-by-4s that will be part of the new house on Beebe Road in the Town of Lockport.

Boy Scout Troop 22 and Cup Pack 44 sold burgers and hot dogs.

Dr. Jeffrey Banks of Family Dentistry took his turn in the dunk tank, which is raising money for new siding and a new roof for the Newfane Library. “It’s fun,” dental hygienist Mary Beth Sherman said. “The water’s cold but it feels good because it’s so hot out.

Contact reporter Bill Wolcott

439-9222, ext. 6246.