Annual Turning Point Parade this weekend
SCHUYLERVILLE, N.Y. >> The annual Turning Point Parade is celebrating its 25th anniversary of honoring local history.
The 25th annual Turning Point Parade will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday through the historic Village of Schuylerville, where more than 3,000 spectators are expected to gather.
“The committee takes great pride in staging this spectacular summer event,” a news release from parade organizers stated, noting that the event has “all the elements of a good old-fashioned parade” including music, floats, dignitaries, military and veterans units, fire and emergency squads, re-enactors, vintage cars, horses, stilt walkers and more. The parade theme, “In the Footprints of History,” recognizes those events that occurred over 242 years ago in 1777, the year that General Burgoyne’s British forces were defeated in the battles at Saratoga. “These events became known as ‘the turning point” of the American Revolution,” the release said. “The rest is history … our own very special history!”
This year’s Turning Point Parade Grand Marshal is Sean Kelleher, historian for the Town of Saratoga. He and his wife, Debbie Peck Kelleher and their two children are not only history buffs, but they are active re-enactors. Debbie is president of the Old Saratoga Historical Association, and the weekend following the parade the village celebrates 18th Century Days hosted by the historical association on the grounds of General Schuyler’s summer
home just south of the Village on Route 4.
Everyone is invited to attend and learn more about life as it might have been in this area back in those days.
In addition to the parade, another Turning Point Festival will be held on Saturday at Fort Hardy Park. A host of activities are being planned throughout the day. There will be a dunk tank for special guests to raise money for worthy causes. Bouncy houses will be available for the kids as well as their favorite water balloon toss, free face painting, and free pony rides. Laser tag is back too, along with lots of vendors, crafters and a wide variety of foods.
New this year, beer will be available from Argyle Brewery, Adirondack Brewery, and Saratoga Apple Cider. Live entertainment begins at 3:30 p.m. when Tick Brothers take the stage. J. D. Winslow returns with his not-to-be-missed horse show at 4:30 p.m. Backbear takes the stage at 5:30 p.m. and Open Bar Band plays from 7:30 p.m. until fireworks at dusk.
More information about the Turning Point Parade and Festival can be found online at www.turningpointparade.com.