COMMUNITY EVENT
Flag Day Parade excites crowds on rescheduled date
BURNT HILLS-BALLSTON LAKE, N.Y. >> Route 50 was lined with spectators and smiles as crowds came out to celebrate the 22nd community Flag Day parade put on by the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Business and Professional Association (BPA). Rescheduled from its original June 8 date due to poor air quality, the delay did not stop people from coming out, setting up their chairs, and enjoying the festivities.
There were a vast array of participants in the parade ranging from the Veterans of Foreign War, local girl scout troops, Ballston Community Library, and more. Many different fire departments participated, sending trucks and fire rescue vehicles. There were also a lot of groups marching and playing music, including DownBeat Percussion, Village Volunteers fife and drum corps, Lords Acre Fair to name a few.
Another highlight of the parade had to be all the nicely decorated and unique floats. Stevens Elementary School had a lion king-themed float, Hop City Maple decorated one with a large maple syrup bottle and a tapped tree, Burnt Hills Veterinary hospital was decked out in red, while and blue pride along with a dog house, H Property Services had both a pool and a fire going on theirs and many other groups and organizations spent much time decorating their trailers for the parade.
There were also many different teams and clubs from the BHBL school district, some being the Boys Cross Country team, the Spartan Girls Outdoor Track and Field team, the O’Rourke Middle School Drama Club and Burnt Hills Wrestling.
Many of the participants also took the opportunity to pass treats, mostly candy, out to the people lining the streets to watch the parade.
Of the nearly 100 participants who had originally signed up, around 90% of them were able to participate on the moved date according to Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake BPA president Nicole SkinnerGraudons. This being the first-ever parade that was rescheduled, she and the parade committee were forced to navigate new waters, and to have it (the parade) so filled and to see the support from the community filled SkinnerGraudon’s with pride.
“The community is really near and dear to my heart and I know how badly they all wanted this parade to happen,” Skinner-Graudon said about the event. “People look forward to this (the parade) and I’m so happy it was able to go so well and that so many people were able to come out and enjoy it.”
The Route 50 Mile Road Race was also able to happen and many happy runners were able to race down the parade route before the event went on. Unfortunately the fireworks that typically follow the parade were not able to carry on due to the short staff available because of the date change and the BPA’s commitment to the safety of all the guests that attend.
“We had to make a very tough decision, and ultimately the safety of the children and families attending is always the priority,” Skinner-Gradudon said. “The company we use to put on the fireworks is great, but with the limited people available to help out on our end due to people being off for the holiday we had to make a choice and people’s safety always comes first.”
Skinner-Gradudon wanted to thank the parade committee and all of the volunteers who jumped in to help make the parade as amazing as it was on the new date. The parade has grown a lot over the years since it was started in 2002, and it is an event that the community itself is very fond of and anticipates each summer.
For people like Nick Courtemanche and his family, whose first time it was attending the parade, it is something they could see themselves coming to again.
“We were surprised by how long it was,” Courtemanche said. “We came for the kids and we all really enjoyed it. It was great to see the community come together.”
The community Flag Day parade brings a lot of joy to the people of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake community and many look forward to what is in store for next year’s event.