Organizers Deem 118th McKean County Fair a Success

Bradford Era – by Savannah Barr The year’s McKean County Fair highlighted local culture and brought families together — even more than expected, organizers said. Attendance numbers were up by more than 1,000 for this year’s fair, bolstered by the good weather that lasted throughout most of the week. “I think the fair went wonderfully,” said Tanya Okerlund, McKean County Fair board president. “The hard work of our volunteers…

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Fair Queens Past and Present to Gather for New Tradition

Bradford Era – by Savannah Barr Jaidyn Goodman knows that the memories she has made this past year will last a lifetime. Goodman is the reigning 2023 Miss McKean County. As she gets ready to hand off her title, she is hoping to start a new tradition. Goodman has asked that past Miss McKean County winners gather at this year’s Queen Coronation for a special ceremony of Passing Down…

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McKean County Historical Society Museum at the Old Jail in Smethport Seeks Volunteers

The McKean County Historical Society Museum at the Old Jail in Smethport is seeking an array of volunteers. As a non-profit organization, assistance from the community is always much needed for the many tasks and goals that the museum aspires to accomplish. Consider sharing your time and talent in the following areas: Groundwork has begun for two of the largest endeavors: refurbishing/renovating the fire tower and the upstairs sheriff…

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Smethport Shooter Brayden Cosper Becomes Overall WTL Champion

Olean Times Herald – The 2024 Winter Travel League (WTL) season came to an end Feb. 25 at the Richburg Rod & Gun Club as 34 qualified league shooters posted scores in the season-ending, 50-bird trophy shoot. Junior shooter Brayden Cosper from Smethport, Pa., is the league’s regular season champion with his 23.75 average. Mason Findlay of Fillmore was the runner-up with a 22.67 average, while Lancaster’s Jake Harris…

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Smethport Hubbers Launch My Jersey, Your Impact

Bradford Era – by Sara Eddy Furlong The My Jersey, Your Impact program implemented this year at Smethport High School aims to provide students an opportunity to show teachers just how influential they’ve been. Anna Stewart, Smethport assistant principal and athletic director, explained that Superintendent Brice Benson read an article about the program in use in another district and suggested its implementation in Smethport. Now, each Friday, senior Hubber…

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Winners Walk on Sunshine Following Arts on Island Car Show

Bradford Era – by Mandy Colosimo The island on Hamlin Lake in Smethport can reportedly handle 200 vehicles for the Arts on the Island car show — and organizers never know until lunchtime the day of the event how many will register. On Saturday, the weather was so wonderful, 138 entries took to the island. Entrants are eligible to compete for an award in several categories. Trophies were awarded…

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Civil War Letters Now at McKean County Historical Society

Bradford Era – by Mandy Colosimo A collection of handwritten letters and other documents, dating back to 1856, were discovered in an attic of a home in Washington state have made their way to McKean County. The correspondence consisted of family exchanges between Phillip Griggs Ellithorpe, Philander Doty Ellithorpe and Asa R. Burleson and Oliver Moore during the Civil War. It had been kept at the Cowlitz County Historical…

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30 Years Ago Smethport Football Made History

Bradford Era – by Cory Angell “It was a change you could see coming over three years,” said Bob Parana, former Kane-based WLBI radio announcer. “Near the end of the 1990 season my co-host Barry Morgan and I looked at each other. We thought, there is something special with this team, it’s coming.” It was the start of something special. The Smethport Hubbers began to perform at a high…

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Smethport Hopes for Bounce-Back Year in Tough Region 2

Olean Times Herald – by Sam Wilson Last year marked a turbulent change for the Smethport football team, as it not only had to replace a senior group that led the Hubbers the District 9 Class A championship game, it did so with a new head coach and in a new league. The 2022 season brought an end to a four-year streak of qualifying for the District 9 playoffs….

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McKean County Historical Society’s Fall Bus Tour Filling Fast

Bradford Era – by Mandy Colosimo The McKean County Historical Society fall bus trip takes to the road 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 14 and seats are filling fast. The trip will leave Olean, N.Y. and head to its first location in Lockport, N.Y. Once there, it’s anchors away, as the group sets out for a two-hour cruise along the Erie Canal for a historical tour of the…

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