Gowanda Small Town Times

Press Release from Gowanda VFW Post 5007

James Cruden VFW Post 5007 is proud to present its Third Annual Car Show July 12, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 4 p.m.

See cars from all eras and categories, from vintage to muscle to custom and more. Last year, over 200 cars were exhibited, with exhibitors from Erie, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties. This year promises to be even bigger, with multiple trophies up for grabs including People’s Choice and Commander’s Choice.

Food, beverages, raffles, games of chance, live entertainment and cars, cars, cars! Guests of all ages can tour over 30 acres of lush natural splendor at the intersection of Erie and Cattaraugus counties.

The James Cruden VFW Post is located at 20 Sand Hill Road, Gowanda, NY.

For more information, please contact Sara Roe, at 716-243-5748.

The Annual Gowanda Scarecrow Contest ws held from September 27 through September 30 as part of the village’s FallFest Weekend. A total of 12 scarecrows were entered and the bulk of the voting was done on Facebook.

Taking 1st Place in the 2024 Gowanda Scarecrow Contest was Happy Crayons by Gowanda Free Library. Accepting the award were Library Director, Heidi Khawam, and library clerk, Samantha Bucco.

Coming in 2nd was Cheer Captain Sally Walker by the Gowanda Youth JV Cheerleaders. Accepting the prize for the group were cheerleaders (left to right) Kendra, Juna and Rae.

3rd place went to Grow with 4-H by Perrysburg Barn Buddies 4-H. The scarecrow was entered by club leader Marcia Stang, shown standing directly behind the scarecrow. Also on hand to accept the award were club members Colin, Allie, Aubrey, Wyatt, Leo, Karen and Joey.

Gowanda’s annual Harvest Heritage Fall Festival, generally referred to as FallFest, is coming up the weekend of September 28 and 29. Along with the annual Scarecrow Contest, the Hollywood Theater will be busy all weekend. Saturday afternoon, September 28 will be a Paracon (paranormal convention) event hosted by Jamestown Paranormal Investigators. On Sunday, the 29th, the Hollywood Theater will have Mike Randall’s “Mark Twain Alive” show.
The most current FallFest information can be found at: http://gowanda-ny.com/fallfest/2024

For 2024, Alumni Weekend in Gowanda will be September 20 to September 22. The full schedule for that weekend can be found at: https://docs.google … n0L7-ICs/mobilebasic

On Sunday, August 25, the annual Ducky Derby event was held at Gowanda’s Gateway Park. Te Gowanda-Area Chamber of Commerce has now announced the following winning entries:

1st Place $200 Jim G - Duke
2nd Place $150 Helix V - Stitch Jr
3rd Place $100 Peg S - Milo
4th-6th Place $50
4. Mavis L
5. Kathy S - Doozy
6. Colten B
7th-10th Place $25
7. Katlyn H - Fred
8. Harvey O
9. Cypress V - Stitch
10. California Crassi - Brett
Congratulations to the winners!
Thank you to everyone who supported the Ducky Derby this year!