RENSSELAER FALLS -- The Rensselaer Falls Centennial Festival will take place Sept. 15 from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with live music, a hot-dog eating contest, parade, a carnival, and more.

Another highlight will be a performance by local storyteller Bill Smith and musician Donny Woodcock Saturday night at the Fire Hall.

While the 100th anniversary of the village’s incorporation takes place this year, Rensselaer Falls actually dates back to 1839 when Tate, Chaffe, & Co. constructed a forge on the Oswegatchie River. The community was originally called Tateville, followed by Canton Falls, before settling on Rensselaer Falls in 1851.

Saturday’s events include a carnival with face painting and a bounce house from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., a craft show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and a dunking booth from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A parade takes place from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by a performance by New Horizons from 11 a.m. to noon, and a hotdog-eating event starting at 11:30 a.m. for a $5 fee.

The entertainment continues in the afternoon with music provided by Pure Country from noon to 2 p.m., a cake walk at 12:30 p.m., rock and mineral and Cemetery Association displays from 12:30 to 4 p.m., a birthday bash for kids from 12:30 to 4 p.m., Zumbatronics for kids from 1 to 2 p.m., and an ice cream social from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. with music provided by John and Bonnie Danis.

Evening entertainment will include a music session open to any musicians between 4 and 5 p.m., music by the Canton Goldenaires from 5 to 6 p.m., a washer board and Texas Horseshoes tournament from 5 to 7 p.m. for a $5 fee (contact Jolene LaSiege, 869-8681, to register), a session to honor past and present mayors and graduates of the Class of 1945 at 7:15 p.m.

Smith and Woodcock will be playing at the Fire Hall at 7:30 p.m., where the doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with $5 admission for ages 12 and up. Tickets for Smith and Woodcock can be purchased at Pickens General Store, TAUNY, the Canton Free Library, and the Morley and Rensselaer Falls libraries.

Chapin’s County Store will have coffee, donuts, and homemade cinnamon rolls available as well as the normal menu and a daily special. Chapin’s will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. St. Mary’s Church in Canton will also be offering hamburgers, sausages, fries, and funnel cakes from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Visitors are also invited to tour the Historical Society Museum, the Ladies First Gallery and Susan’s Stitches. The Rensselaer Falls Cemetery Association will have Centennial T-shirts for sale to visitors.

All proceeds from the festival will benefit the Rensselaer Falls Auxiliary, Playground Committee, Historical Society, Cemetery Association, and Library Association.