Each year the Town of Seneca Falls honors and remembers Antonio Varacalli, an Italian immigrant who while working on April 12, 1917 on the Cayuga and Seneca Barge Canal, saw a woman drowning and immediately jumped in to rescue her.  Although Antonio saved her life, he drowned while doing so.  Antonio’s extraordinary civilian heroism was recognized posthumously with a bronze Carnegie Hero Fund Medal.

The Town of Seneca Falls will honor and celebrate some of it’s local heroes on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 11:00am on the Bridge Street Bridge.  The ceremony will start with a procession of police, girl scouts, boy scouts and drummers to the Bridge Street Bridge.  The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission’s Investigation Report will be read, the Mynderse Academy Chamber Singers will perform, and a Hero’s Blessing will be given.  The Antonio Varacalli Day Proclamation will be read, the Bells of Bedford Falls will be rung and the event will end with a flower ceremony.

The theme “Who in Your Life Has Influenced You the Most” has been chosen as a topic for the essay contest which Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s students have been invited to participate in.  The children in grades 3, 4 & 5 will be writing about people that have been a positive influence in their lives.  Winners from the essay contest will be awarded prizes during the ceremony.

Additionally, non-profit organizations are invited to choose a “Community Angel” from their organization to be honored during the event.  This person will have shown to be an invaluable member, going above and beyond in the organization that they are a part of. To nominate a citizen for the Antonio Varacalli Award, or to honor an individual from an organization, forms can be picked up in Seneca Falls at Downtown Deli – 53 Fall Street or  WomanMade Products – 91 Fall Street, or by visiting therealbedfordfalls.com/antonio-varacalli-day/. 

All nominations must be received by Friday, March 31.

Antonio Varacalli Day is a project of the It’s A Wonderful Life Festival Committee. 

For more information on the Celebration and ways you can be involved, contact IAWLFestival@outlook.com