The 4-H Market Hog Show at the Genesee County Fair was Monday.

Grand Champion Hog award went to Cody Carlson, and Reserve Grand was Jillian Weaver, both of Byron.

Photos by Laura Luft.  

The Batavian staff is at the fair all week, so stop by and say hello, enter our eagle-drawing contest and sign up to get all of the best Genesee County community news with The Batavian newsletter. 

Like Local News? Then why not support it?  Join Early Access Pass today so we can keep bringing to you the news that matters most, the news of Batavia and Genesee County.  Use the Coupon Code GCFAIR24 for a discount.  $10 off the first year of an annual membership or $1 off each month for a year on a monthly membership. Click here to join.

Press Release:

“We’ve Only Just Begun” Sr. Luncheon is Tuesday, August 20 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the South Alabama Firehall on Route 63 located at 2230 Judge Road, Oakfield. We are open to the public and welcome all!

This month our returning special guest will be  “Daniel Viola, Standup Comedian”. Dan is 57 years old, a husband, father of 7, and a teacher in the Brockport school system.

Dan connects with any audience. Drawing on his background as a game show host, parent teacher, coach and salesman, he delivers energetic and relevant entertainment. His credits include comedy clubs, casinos, cruises, colleges and corporate events, as well as appearances on The Nashville Network and in TV commercials. You won’t want to miss Dan performing at our August Luncheon!

Bring your favorite dish-to-pass OR make a donation at the door! Come and enjoy lunch and an afternoon of fun with old and new friends.

Co-chairpersons: Michael Hamm and LaNora Thompson. Contact person LaNora Thompson (630) 888-8966.

With 28 singers and a large audience, the Genesee County Fair Karaoke Contest, hosted by Karaoke Club NY, on Monday evening, was a big hit.

The youth winners:

• 1st Jesse Reagan
• 2nd Hannah Beach
• 3rd Elle Williams 

The adult winners:

• 1st James Weston
• 2nd Seth Kibler
• 3rd Laura Guiste 

Food, fun and lots to do and see at the Genesee County Fair on Monday.  

The Midway opens Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m. and the annual Genesee County Fair Parade starts at 6:30 p.m.

On Monday at the Genesee County Fair, 4-H members showed off their prize lambs in the Market Lamb Show.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

For the past three months, Kate Willson has been giving her business some special treatments before turning her attention to customers, who she now welcomes six days a week for luxury spa services, she says.

Willson first announced in April that she had moved into the former Spa at Artemis site at 206 E. Main St. and was preparing to relaunch it later this year under a new name, look and feel.

“We’ve been working on remodeling the space; we gave it an overall facelift on the inside and on the outside,” Willson said of her new The Beauty Lounge by Meraki in downtown Batavia. “We resurfaced the floors and kept the beautiful historic hardwood; we’ve been working on giving it a good refresh with colors, and the neutral color palette that we like really refreshed the interior to make it a little bit more elevated for a spa, very tranquil. We’ve been working on making the interior aesthetics come together. So it is a very luxurious relaxed spa.”

Splashed in tones of boho modern earth tones, the space has been opened up in front for a reception area and half of it is a boutique for clothing, with another portion dedicated to an assortment of pampering products such as candles, body whips and butters, delicate chains with charms and jewelry with essential oil sprays from local vendors, including Ashli from Freckled Acres, Jewels by Madi, and Desert Moon Earrings by Jess.

The spa also has a jewelry station where customers can have a piece of jewelry soldered on as a bracelet, anklet or necklace to remain as a permanent piece for themselves. That’s the only spa service that does not require an appointment, she said.

The Beauty Lounge boutique had a soft opening this past weekend with the spa’s official opening on Monday, which went really well, Willson said. 

“It was a good day of just getting some spa services in, and we had a lot of people in shopping the boutique. And I would definitely say the energy is high around here,” she said. “All the girls that are working here are so excited, which is definitely helping my energy levels, too, after all of this work. It’s going to be amazing. I would like to say one little shout out, just a thank you to my team for the support of our community at the salon, and just my family and friends leaning in to help with the remodel.

“I like letting people know that we are ready and excited for them to come and enjoy our spa services," she said. "We have a beautiful lounge to come to relax in before and after their services, and definitely amenities that they haven't experienced before in a local spa.” 

Other services include luxury manicures and pedicures, massage, “an amazing list of facials” and facial enhancements, high-frequency dermaplaning, full-body waxing services, and eyelash extensions and services. 

For those who have a Spa at Artemis gift card, Willson is offering 50% of the value of the gift card with proof of purchase or a credit card statement. For those who can’t show proof of purchase but have a gift card, she will give 50% off one service.

“We know a lot of people did buy gift certificates right before they had closed, and so we want to do that so we can offer those people to come in and experience our services,” Willson said. “We have 12 staff members, we have a solid team built right now, and we’ll be planning on adding to that eventually. We’re just trying to build the staple of what the spa is, so really build up the culture before we add more employees. So right now, we have a great fundamental team, and then we will be looking to add to that.”

Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays. For more information or to book an appointment, go HERE or call 585-356-0039.

Tuesday, July 23rd - VETERAN’S DAY & UPSTATE EQUIPMENT/BUFFALO BOBCAT DAY at the Fair
*Veteran’s pay $5/carload from 11AM-4PM*
•  10 AM – Exhibition Halls & Buildings Open
•  4 PM—9 PM—MIDWAY OPEN
•  5:30 PM – Parade Line Up  (Racing Pit Area)
•  6:30 PM – Genesee County Fair Parade —Around Fairgrounds
•  7 PM—Karaoke Open Mic  (Entertainment Tent)
•  10 PM – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

• Daily at the Fair:
• Air Sculpture (Balloon Display and Demonstrations) (All Day Every Day)
• Pig Racing – Show Schedule (SAT 4pm, 6pm & 8pm; SUN 4pm, 6pm & 8pm; MON 4pm, 6pm & 8pm; TUES 4pm, 6pm & 8pm; WED 2pm, 4pm, 6pm & 8pm;  THURS 4pm, 6pm & 8pm; FRI 2pm, 4pm, 6pm & 8pm; SAT 2pm, 4pm, 6pm & 8pm)
• Niagara Down Under (All Day Every Day)
• Pony Rides (All Day Every Day)
• Chain Saw Carver (All Day Every Day)
• Fame Racing – Radio Controlled Car Racing (SAT 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; SUN 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; MON 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; TUES 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; WED 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; THURS 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; FRI 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; SAT 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7pm)
• Fair Trivia Hunt – All Day (July 20th-26th) – Exhibition Building – DAILY PRIZES
  Events & times on the schedule are subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with changes.

All Early Access Pass members will receive a coupon for free entry into the Genesee County Fair on Thursday. Join by the morning of July 24 to be included. Use the Coupon Code GCFAIR 24 for $10 off on an annual membership or $1 off a month for the first year. Click here to join.

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Press Release:

In a game that came down to the final play, the Genesee County Spartans defeated the Ithaca Warriors, 12-6, on Saturday night in Northeastern Football Alliance semipro action at Pembroke Town Park.

Linebacker Marley English and defensive backs Jzon Henderson and Max Rapone stopped Ithaca quarterback Joshua Mims just three yards from the end zone as time ran out to secure the victory for the Spartans, now 4-2, and still alive for a playoff berth in the league’s Western Conference.

The top two teams in each conference will advance to the playoffs. The Lockport Wildcats lead at 7-0, followed by the Spartans at 4-2 and Rochester Chargers at 3-3.

The Spartans are off until Aug. 3 when they will host Rochester for a 5 p.m. contest. Rochester has a home game next Saturday against the unbeaten Wildcats.

“We escaped with a win tonight, but we’ll have to be much better against Rochester and, hopefully, for the playoff game against Lockport,” said Spartans Head Coach Harry Rascoe. “We need to avoid turnovers and capitalize on our opportunities. Tonight’s game should not have been that close.”

Against Ithaca, the Spartans’ points came as a result of a field goal, safety, touchdown and point-after-touchdown kick.

Julia Petry opened the scoring midway through the first quarter by kicking a 22-yard field goal, capping a short drive set up by Marley’s interception at the Ithaca 25.

Neither team scored again until the 3:55 mark of the third quarter when Spartans’ defensive tackle Gunner Rapone and English tackled David Crow, Ithaca’s other QB, in the end zone for a safety, making the score 5-0.

The safety came one play after Genesee County was thwarted on four straight running attempts from the 1-yard line.

The Spartans increased their lead to 11-0 with four minutes left in the fourth quarter when QB Corey Turpin connected with wide receiver Deyonci Farley for a 34-yard TD. Farley caught the ball in the right flat, avoided a defender and sprinted to the end zone. Petry’s extra point kick made it 12-0.

Ithaca struck back quickly, however, when Mims hit Patrick Twum for a 45-yard touchdown. A pass for the two-point conversion fell incomplete, leaving the score at 12-6.

Genesee County ran six plays, taking two minutes off the clock, but turned the ball over on downs with 1:31 to play. Taking over at the Spartans’ 40, Mims completed a couple passes to get the ball to the 8-yard line, stopping the clock with five seconds left.

From there, Mims scrambled before taking off down the middle of the field and running into the trio of Spartans’ defenders who combined for the potential game-saving tackle.

Statistically, Spartans’ running back Jed Reese had a busy night, carrying 22 times for 106 yards. Turpin completed nine of 13 passes for 114 yards, a TD and two interceptions.

Defensively, Henderson and lineman Steve Kowalczyk had interceptions, linebacker Kaden Marucci recovered a fumble and Gunner Rapone recorded a sack.

Rascoe, noting his team’s statistical advantage, credited both lines for “controlling the line of scrimmage” but said he’s looking for his team’s skill position players to dominate going forward.

There is plenty to see and do at the Genesee County Fair every day, including visits to the Parmalee and Kennedy buildings to see the award-winning arts, crafts, and gardening displays.

Photos by Kristin Smith.

Sunday evening at Genesee County Fair continued with games, activities and the Knight Patrol band.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

For nine years, Gabriella Zocco has been inching her way toward the title of Genesee County Fair queen, and she finally earned it late Sunday afternoon during a second round of the annual pageant that included crowning festivities.

The pageant has several categories, including Little Miss for the youngest ones. Then they move up to Miss, Duchess, Princess, Grand Princess and Queen.

“I started as a Little Miss, and I came back every year I could until I was able to be queen. So this is like a huge deal for me,” the 17-year-old said after winners were announced at the yellow entertainment tent. “And I'm really proud of myself for being able to accomplish this. My future goal is, I want to go to college and I want to major in meteorology and have a minor in foreign studies and journalism.”

She would like to be a weather person on the news one day and be that go-to person forecasting the rainy and sunny days and those nasty tropical and winter storms that roll into folks’ hometowns. 

She said participating in the fair queen pageant has helped her bond with people and given her skills to use as she heads beyond high school at Our Lady of Mercy.

“I’d say the most rewarding part is finding myself because every year I learned a new thing about myself, and I learned about other people too, and how to really connect with people through the pageant,” she said. “Because, especially with the speech portion, you have to get up in front of a lot of people. You have to show confidence and leadership. 

"And you can’t be afraid to show yourself and you can’t be afraid to talk and share your own opinions, even though other people might disagree," she said. "So I think the most rewarding part is finding myself and making new friends and connections.”

Her mom, Verginia Zocco, the pageant director, said the first portion of the pageant was bittersweet because Gabriella would be aging out since she had already surpassed and won all of the previous categories. 

On the other hand, the sweet spot was being able to talk about the earth and women’s health, two of Gabriella’s favorite topics, while having friends and family there to support her. 

Remaining crowns for the Royal Court 2024 went to:

• Grand Princess Corinne Rhoads
• Princess Cassandra Judge
• Duchess Isabella Redden
• Miss Eleanor Hudson
• Little Miss Lyza Baker 

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Kelly's Old Timers Band provided Monday afternoon's entertainment at the Genesee County Fair.

Photos by Howard Owens

Press Release:

Renewable energy in the form of solar electric (photovoltaic) grid systems are expanding rapidly throughout New York State both residentially and commercially. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for photovoltaic energy workers is projected to increase 50% or requiring 6000 new workers over the next ten years. 

Genesee Community College's Solar Electric Technician Certificate Program is designed to equip students with the skills needed to thrive in the rapidly growing solar industry. Led by Chris Kemp, director of mathematics and engineering science, this program comprises four comprehensive courses, offering a flexible and practical pathway to a rewarding career.

Why Choose the Solar Electric Technician Program? 

The solar industry is booming, with one in 20 jobs in the US related to solar energy. Solar installers are among the top five most needed workers, with entry-level jobs offering salaries of $40,000+ per year. Local businesses are actively seeking trained professionals, making this an opportune time to join the solar workforce.

Program Highlights:

Diverse Workforce: The solar industry is known for its diverse work environment, welcoming individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.

Career Versatility: The skills acquired in this program open doors to various career paths, including management, sales, design (including CAD), and science/tech manufacturing.

No Experience Required: Whether you're a beginner or looking to enhance your skills, this program is designed to provide an easy start with no prior experience necessary.

Flexible Schedule: The courses are held over seven weeks each, with classes meeting one or two nights per week, making it easy to fit into your schedule.

Course Overview:

PVO101 - Intro to Solar Electric:

• Explore solar irradiance measurement tools.
• Understand the functionality of solar panels.
• Learn why solar energy is viable even in cold climates.
• Gain insights into other renewable energy systems.

PVO102 - Solar Design and Installation:

• Hands-on experience with installing solar panels on various structures. 
• Training in basic tools, metal bending, and building roof/ground-mounted arrays.
• Red Cross CPR and First Aid certification.

PVO103 - Solar Codes and Standards:

• Detailed understanding of the Electrical Code.
• OSHA construction safety and NFPA electrical safety training.
• Safety harness training and rooftop access.
• National certification in solar installation.

PVO104 - Solar Business and Finance:

• Develop skills in creating business proposals and interacting with building/code enforcers.
• Drone pilot training for solar applications.

Over the past two years, every student seeking immediate employment in the solar industry after completing this program has been hired. Others have pursued further education in business, science, engineering, or renewable energy at partner four-year institutions.

Enrollment is now open for the 2024/25 cohort, with only 16 spots available. For more information, visit https://www.genesee.edu/academics/programs/solar-electric-technician/ or contact Chris Kemp, director of mathematics and engineering science at (585) 343-0055 x6392 or clkemp@genesee.edu. 

Like Local News? Then why not support it?  Join Early Access Pass today so we can keep bringing to you the news that matters most, the news of Batavia and Genesee County.  Use the Coupon Code GCFAIR24 for a discount.  $10 off the first year of an annual membership or $1 off each month for a year on a monthly membership. Click here to join.