The Nicholson Sesquicentennial Committee is honoring the town’s 150th birthday with a weekend of family fun on August 22-24, 2025.
The festivities begin on Friday, August 22 with a wreath laying ceremony at 5:00 PM at the Nicholson Cemetery in honor of Mary “Polly” Hallstead Wilbur, the town’s firstborn child. Her fascinating life will also be the topic of a historic presentation on August 30.
Saturday, August 23 commemorates the exact day in 1875 when Nicholson was officially incorporated. The celebrations kick off at noon with a parade on State Street, followed by an official program featuring local leaders. There will also be live music, food, and games throughout the day.
The fun concludes on Sunday with competitions like the beard contest, watermelon seed spitting contest, and apple bobbing contest.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy nostalgic fun like old-fashioned carnival games and a penny candy booth. The Nicholson Tourism Center at the Historic DL&W Railroad Station will host a photo display and lost art demonstrations to honor the town’s history and traditions.
“We want to preserve the history that we have before it’s all gone,” explained Kathy Steele of the Nicholson Sesquicentennial Committee. “Every time you lose a person or a landmark, you lose a piece of the history. This is our way of preserving it so it’s not forgotten.”
The full schedule of events is as follows:
FRIDAY AUGUST 22nd 5:00 – 10:00
5:00 p.m. – Wreath-laying ceremony, Nicholson Cemetery honoring the life & times of Mary “Polly” Hallstead Wilbur, the town’s firstborn child.
6:00-8:00 – “Then and Now” photo display, DL&W Station Tourism Center
8:00-10:00 –1875-2025 Period costume Ball (15 decades of fashion to choose from), St. Patrick’s Parish Hall High Street- FREE of charge
SATURDAY AUGUST 23rd 12:00 – 5:00
12:00 Parade, State Street
1:00 Official Program, Main Street
2:00 – 3:00 Lenoxville Band, Main Street
2:00 – 4:00 John and Kass, Almont lawn- Main Street
3:00 – Hula Hoop contest, Main Street
3:00 – 4:00 Airport Pickers, Main Street
4:00 – 5:00 Pie eating contest, Main Street
Classic car display (after the parade), Peoples Security Bank parking lot, Main Street
Historic photo array, DL&W Station
Lost art demonstrations (yarn spinners, etc), DL&W Station
Old fashioned childhood and carnival games, (including a fortune teller), Main Street
Delicious food, penny candy booth, and so much more!
SUNDAY AUGUST 24th 12:00 – 5:00
12:00 – 1:30 Narrow Road, Main Street
2:00 Beard/moustache contest, Main Street
3:00 Watermelon seed spitting contest, Main Street
4:00 Apple bobbing contest
Lost art demonstrations (yarn spinners, etc.), DL&W Station
Historic photo array, DL&W Station
Old fashioned childhood and carnival games, (including a fortune teller), Main Street
Delicious food, Music, penny candy booth, and so much more!
Hot air balloon rides available – contingent on number of reservations received. Call (570) 945-3008 or email info@weflyhotair.com for details. (Mention Nicholson’s 150th birthday celebration.)
For the latest news, visit nicholsonsesquicentennial.com or follow the Nicholson Sesquicentennial on Facebook.