The entourage will leave South Dayton by 10 a.m. and stop in Perrysburg for lunch at the Bill Wade farm. It will then proceed down Route 39 and into the center of the village, where it is hoped that a large group of village residents will line the streets to welcome the travelers.

     Members of the Chamber will be selling hot dogs, drinks and ice cream novelties, and providing free American flags for onlookers to wave as the wagons pass through the center of town.

     The “train” will turn onto North Water Street, where it will continue its course to the Moose Club. Once there: recidents are invited to enjoy the educational presentations about the wagons,horses and people of our heritage and our present. There will be hands-on demonstrations at each site.

     Gowanda is providing music by Di Dominic Capozzi and a presentation by the Buffalo Creek Dancers. At 7:30 p.m., Mayor Richard Kiancer will officially welcome the “pioneers” and present them with the key to the village. A brief ceremony will include a package of memorabilia pertinent to Gowanda that will be interred in a time capsule at the end of the run.

     The 14-day, 163-mile Stagecoach Run is expected to have about 25 wagons from various parts of the country. The Stagecoach became a part of Cattaraugus county heritage about 1808-1814 in the form of the Chautauqua Trail. It started as a means of transporting mail, freight and passengers from one destination to another. The main vehicles were a stagecoach, chuck wagon and sheepherders wagon.

     Beginning in Ellicottville on Aug. 9, the itinerary will take the wagons on a tour that will end in Little Valley on Aug. 22.

     For a complete list of the villages and towns included, and/or more information, stop by the Gowanda Area Chamber of Commerce office at 49 West Main St. on Monday, Aug. 11 from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m.