JOHNSTOWN — The Elizabeth Cady Stanton Hometown Association is continuing to work on next year’s planned “Ride the Women’s Revolution” event, according to Gina DaBiere-Gibbs, tourism director of the Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce.
She recently reported on the event to the Fulton County Board of Supervisors’ Economic Development and Environment Committee.
DaBiere-Gibbs said the ECSHA will be involved in the bike ride to celebrate the 2020 centennial of the passage of the 19th Amendment — the right of women to vote.
The chamber official said the event will take place Aug. 20 through 23, 2020, commencing in Johnstown and concluding in Seneca Falls. A kickoff ceremony will take place Aug. 20, 2020 in Johnstown.
In her report, DaBiere-Gibbs said the objective of the ride is to establish Johnstown as Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s birthplace, childhood home and inspiration for her lifetime of work. It will also mirror her journey from Johnstown to the first Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls. She said it will encourage heritage tourism in Fulton County and the region.
In addition, DaBiere-Gibbs said the bike ride is expected to educate participants about women’s history sites and stories that exist between Johnstown and Seneca Falls.
DaBiere-Gibbs also reported on the Safe Lake Committee.
“There’s some new initiatives that have come out of that,” she said.
She said partners in the initiative have donated life vests, created a safety app for use on the Great Sacandaga Lake in both winter and summer, and donated life rings.
DaBiere-Gibbs reported the chamber is working to secure the Holiday Inn as the host hotel for the Bike Thru History Cycling Event. Route information is available online at 44lakes.com/bike-thru-history.
In partnership with the Fulton County Planning Department, DaBiere-Gibbs said a new TV monitor was installed at the chamber Visitor Center in Vail Mills. Currently, a slideshow is looping with photos of county attractions and scenery.
She said visitors from the Capital Region continue to be the leader in attendance at the center, followed by the Utica area. For the first six months of 2019, the top states outside of New York with visitors were: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Ohio and New Hampshire. Israel and Canada lead with international visitors, DaBiere-Gibbs said.
The Visitor Center will be open daily through Columbus Day. Hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays through Mondays; and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at [email protected]
