Jolly Boys celebrate 40th Old Home Days

Ride specials on Tuesday

by EMILY LOSITO Intern
The Jolly Boys donated funds in 1984 to purchase
bulky Apple IIe computers for both the Williamsville
and Eggertsville-Snyder libraries. Tom Wilkinson
logs on under the supervision of Frank Mischler.
Users had to register a day in advance to use the
computers. Photo by David F. ShermanThis July,
members of the Jolly Boys celebrate their 40th
year running Old Home Days. Festival-goers can
find the men under the beer tent on Island Park serving Labatt Blue, and they can
expect a few changes this year.
As always, all of the money made during the event goes toward scholarships and
funding for other programs that benefit the youth of the community.

Rick Brown, Jolly Boys chairman, said that in recent years the number of participants at
Old Home Days has been declining.

The problem isnt about the people; its just the way it is now, Brown said. Theres
something going on every weekend in Buffalo.

Brown and Mike Pidgeon, current Jolly Boys president, talked about
some changes theyve made for this year in order to attract a larger
crowd to Old Home Days.
The men said $10 bracelets will be offered for children starting at 4
p.m. Tuesday, July 11, instead of the $20 bracelets for the other
days.

Brown said the beer tent will also see some changes.

Were bringing more craft beers and some apple cider beer instead
of just having Labatts, he said.

Security on the island will continue to be the responsibility of Amherst police officers.

Without the police acting as crossing guards and security, theres no way we could
ever do what we do, Brown said.

Pidgeon and Brown both commended the Town of Amherst, the Village of Williamsville,
Amherst police and Williamsville firefighters for all the work and efforts to help the Jolly
Boys events.
All of our profits go towards programs for kids, Brown said. Kids Escaping Drugs,
scholarships for [high school] seniors.

Some of the features at Old Home Days this year include the following:

Tuesday, July 11
Rides open at 4 p.m. with $10 bracelets, ride special all night Giant Parade, 6:30
p.m. Time Pirates perform at the band shell MJ & The Way perform under the tent

Wednesday, July 12
Bike Rodeo for ages 12 years old and younger from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Amherst
Y.E.S. activities Amherst Recreation Games Irish dancing Barnstorm Country Band
performs at the band shell Joyryde performs under the tent

Thursday, July 13
Y.E.S. activities for children of all ages Christian Central Academy dinner Tom Stahl
& The Dangerfields perform at the band shell Hit N Run performs under the tent

Friday, July 14
Down Home Country Cloggers Hot Country Liners Center Stage Dance Studio
Roadrunners perform at the band shell Impact performs under the tent