Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A celebration of a 125-year-old community treasure is planned for Saturday on the Buffalo Waterfront.
The Edward M. Cotter is the world's oldest working fireboat. It continues to respond to fires on the water and along the shoreline, and also serves as an ice breaker in the winter in the City of Buffalo.
"On Saturday at 11a.m., there will be a reenactment of the Cotter's arrival in Buffalo Harbor as it happened in 1900," said Mayor Chris Scanlon. "It's really a remarkable vessel that has been doing incredible work for 125 years."
Kyle Zappia, retired Buffalo Firefighter and chairman of Cotterfest, says they're going to reenact the arrival it as close as they can.
"The city had three fireboats at the time, which guided the Cotter into Buffalo. For Saturday, we have 20 local and international fireboats, police boats, the Sheriff's department and others. It's going to be a sight to see," Zappia said with WBEN.
There are several options for best viewing of the spectacle.
"All along the entrance to Erie Basin Marina, the Buffalo and Erie County Naval Park, and Canalside. The views are going to be unbelievable down there," Zappia noted. "The Naval Park has given us the deck of the Little Roc . For $50, people can watch from the deck and have breakfast. That starts at 9 a.m. All proceeds go to the Cotter Conservancy, and you can stay and watch the 'Bills Mafia' parade that is coming up at 1 p.m."
The Cotter will be spraying its water canons in Buffalo Harbor, and so will other fireboats that are coming.
"It's going to be a display like we've never seen before," Zappia added.
The reenactment is a lead up to Cotterfest, a fundraiser to celebrate and raise money for the upkeep and preservation of the fireboat. The event is planned for Saturday, Sept. 20 at Riverfest Park, across the river from Buffalo RiverWorks.
Zappia said the organization is still accepting donations and baskets for a basket raffle. Members of the Cotter family from New Jersey to California and Ireland are coming for the event.
You can find more information about Cotterfest HERE.