WANAKENA -- The Wanakena Historical Association has a day full of events planned Saturday, Aug. 15, with craft events for kids, live music, a best pie contest, historical displays and much more, as a fundraiser for rebuilding the Wanakena footbridge.

There will be all sorts of things going on all around town starting at 11 a.m. and running through 5 p.m. And then there will be contra dancing with live music starting at 5.

Everyone is invited to dress as if it's 1902.

The bridge, built around 1902, has been a landmark and a favorite feature in the region since then.

In January 2013, after several heavy snowfalls and weeks of sub-zero temperatures, a thaw set loose massive sheets of ice on the Oswegatchie River that jammed up against the bridge's piers and broke the north tower, collapsing the span.

Residents, friends of the bridge, engineers and others have been working to bring the bridge back to life ever since, and the effort has every chance of success.

The latest estimate of the cost to restore the bridge is $250,000, and the historical association believes they will be ready to accept bids for the work before the end of the year.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Places has granted the association's effort $125,000 if it can be matched by private donations and other fundraising. That total raised is approaching $100,000 with work by the association and the Town of Fine.

Bridge Day on Aug. 15 will be a celebration of the bridge, Adirondack traditions and of Wanakena and the surrounding region. It will be a fun day, and will give people a chance to contribute to the restoration of the elegant and historic 171-foot span suspended above the river.

Local businesses, artists, craftspeople and other generous folk have donated dozens of items that will be raffled or auctioned off during the day.

Some of the more distinctive items are a merganser duck decoy carved out of wood salvaged from the footbridge trestle, made and donated by St. Lawrence Decoys over the winter; a week at a historic Martha's Vineyard summer cottage that sleeps five in June or September; framed original artwork; and gift certificates for a broad range of local products and services; "and more coming in every day," said Bridge Fund Raising Committee Co-Chairs Allen Ditch and Marsha Smith.

The attractions at Bridge Day are too numerous to list here, but will certainly occupy a family or any lone visitor for the whole day.

All of the funds raised will go toward rebuilding the bridge.

And donations are happily accepted. Checks can be sent to Wanakena Historical Association Bridge Fund, PO Box 73, Wanakena, NY 13695; or people may use PayPal at www.wanakena.webs.com/donate.

More info: wanakenaha@aol.com