New York Mills Bell Festival began when Sacred Heart of Jesus/Holy Cross Polish National Catholic Church donated a bell from one of the former mills to the village. The bell is now part of a monument in the park, inscribed: “To the mill workers, with gratitude.”

View the history of New York Mills bell from the New York Mills Public Library and the work of Sacred Heart of Jesus/Holy Cross Parish in making the bell a treasure for the entire community.

From the Utica Observer Dispatch: NY Mills Bell Festival connects community, families

NEW YORK MILLS — Sisters Reneta Benenati, 84, and Josephine Krawczyk, 75, don’t live in the New York Mills area anymore.

The sisters left the area to attend college and become teachers, however each year they return for the village’s annual Bell Festival.

“It’s become sort of sentimental for us,” Benenati said, adding they visit “old haunts” and where they used to live.

Having grown up in Yorkville — a neighboring village — the sisters said their parents were Polish immigrants who used to work in the mills.

The annual event pays homage to those very mill workers who lived rigid lives dictated by the ring of a bell — 6 a.m. wakeup call and a 9 p.m. curfew call.

The two-day event, which began Friday, features rides, games, a parade, garage sales, fireworks and food. The festivities attract hundreds of people, young and old, to Pulaski Park on Main Street where the historic bell is on display.

“It’s nice to remember where things came from and how things used to be,” said Paul Dudajek, president of the village historical society. “I think (the event) is good because it brings the community together.”

Village resident Julie Brych said she’s been coming to the festival with her sons for about three years.

“We like to support New York Mills. It’s a good cause,” she said. “The kids like the rides, and I like the food.”

For the last 12 years the Sacred Heart of Jesus Holy Cross Polish National Catholic Church hosts a fish fry on Friday and polish food on Saturday strictly for the festival.

Debbie Vivacqua, church member and co-chair of the Bell Festival Committee, said it was unbelievable people came out despite the heat.

“It’s a nice family oriented (event) we’ve had in the village,” she said. “The people love it.”

Benenati and Krawczyk chatted over their fish fry, having the chance to connect during their time-honored visit for the festival.

“It means a lot to us,” Benenati said.

“And we’re together,” Krawczyk added.