For three days this summer , Girard residents will come out for the annual Dan Rice Days , a tradition started in 1965 by a volunteer committee that has been planning the event for over half a century .
This year ’ s schedule of events includes a photo contest , crafters and food vendors , a cruise-in , music throughout each day and the annual parade on Saturday morning .
“ This is by far the largest event in the Girard borough ,” says Rob Stubenbort , Borough Manager . “ The money raised by the festival will help fund next year ’ s event and allow us to make some donations to local groups like the food pantry , library and school .”
Dan Rice Days boasts West County ’ s longest parade featuring various Girard school athletic teams , the marching band , fire department , and antique cars , just to name a few of the highlights .
The parade starts at 11 a . m . on Saturday and proceeds south on Rice Avenue ( Route 18 ) to Main Street ( Route 20 ) where it will continue east on Main Street .
There will be two musical venues — the Main Stage in Wells Park and Culbertson House Porch . Entertainment includes The BangerZZ , the Erie Heights Brass Band , Tennessee Backporch , West County Rangers , Polka on the Porch and the O ’ Needers .
So who was Dan Rice , anyway ?
According to West County resident and historical writer , Geoffrey L . Domowicz , Dan Rice was a charismatic and generous figure in the Girard community with a colorful and interesting history . His claim to fame was a traveling circus called Dan Rice ’ s Great Hippodrome and Menagerie .
A plaque honoring him , placed by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission , refers to Rice as
“ American ’ s most famous clown of the 19th century .” Rice made Girard his home base for the off-season due to the proximity to Route 20 , a major thoroughfare at the time , and access to the Erie Canal . He married the daughter of a prominent business owner and one of Girard ’ s founding families , Rebecca McConnell .
His most lasting contribution to our community resides on Main Street to this day . It ’ s a Civil War monument dedicated in 1965 . Rice commissioned the tribute and donated it to the town . An inscription on the monument reads , “ In memory of the officers and soldiers from Erie County , Penn ., who have died in defense of their country .”
Now , more than 150 years later , we are still honoring Rice and paying tribute to the Civil War veterans .
[ You can get schedule details and times or register to be a vendor at danricedays . com . n
West County | Summer 2016 | icmags . com 25