A century-old act of sacrifice that defined heroism in the community will be remembered again this weekend as residents gather to honor Antonio Varacalli and celebrate those who carry forward his legacy.
The annual Antonio Varacalli Day ceremony is scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m. on the Bridge Street bridge, where Varacalli died in 1917 after jumping into the Cayuga-Seneca Canal to save a woman. His actions earned him a posthumous Carnegie Hero Fund Medal and established a lasting symbol of courage in Seneca Falls.
The ceremony will feature a multi-agency color guard of first responders, a procession led by the Bedford Falls Mediocre Marching Band Drummers, and a reading of the official proclamation by Town Councilmember Gabby Cosentino. Organizers will also share details from the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission’s investigation into Varacalli’s rescue attempt.
This year’s Antonio Varacalli Day Award for Good Citizenship and Heroism will be presented to Sue Cosentino, the Seneca Falls Police Department’s first female officer. Cosentino is being recognized for a 29-year law enforcement career marked by multiple life-saving awards, as well as her continued service through volunteer work and leadership in the community.
Her nomination highlighted decades of public service, including time on the Seneca Falls school board and involvement in local initiatives such as the Ludovico Sculpture Trail. Organizers say the award reflects both her professional accomplishments and her broader impact on the community.
The ceremony will also include musical performances by the Mynderse Academy Chamber Singers and a trumpet solo by Mason Ntuala. Relatives of Varacalli — Shelley Farrell and Madelyn Justian — are expected to participate in the event.
Students from Elizabeth Cady Stanton School will be recognized for essays exploring courage, with winners selected across grades three through five. Several Community Angel Awards will also be presented to individuals recognized by local organizations for their service, including honorees from the Catholic Daughters of America, Seneca Falls Rotary Club, Convention Days Inc., and the Seneca Falls Historical Society.
The event will conclude with a flower ceremony honoring Varacalli’s legacy.
A walking tour focused on the lives of Varacalli and Ruth Dunham, the woman he attempted to rescue, will begin at 10 a.m. ahead of the ceremony. A ziti luncheon at the Seneca Falls Recreation Center will follow at noon.
Organizers say the annual event remains focused on recognizing everyday acts of courage and reinforcing the values that Varacalli’s sacrifice represents more than a century later.
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