A Memorial Day Taste Of Americana, Part 2

This Memorial Day was like old times. I went to a Parade Party in historic Lansingburgh, New York (see yesterday's post). So this parade was particularly filled with Americana. Kevin, the young boy in blue who figures so prominently in many of these photos, was part of our group:

The large unidentified animal marching down the street is, I think, the mascot for the Troy Valley Cats, a baseball team. The red van is possibly an antique bread truck from a local bakery:

Aaargh! I'm so old that this convertible just looks like a regular car to me, not a classic:

Bagpipes. Now we're talking:


Troy Motor Boat Club. Who knew? I'm guessing that they mostly boat in the Hudson River, which is quite large from Troy south to New York City:

All drums and brass:

And there's Kevin again, this time waving to a float bearing a 9-11 memorial:

Towns on the Hudson River need speed boats on hand for water rescue:

A High School band, though I am not sure which school. And there's Kevin, still waving:



Police and fire departments. Kevin, still enthusiastic after so much parade has passed by, continued to wave:

When the parade was over, street sweepers roared up the street picking up debris and it was time for our barbecue to begin. Our group was meeting at a friend's restored old brick house:

And we picnicked on his shaded porch:

Burgers and hot dogs burned on the grill and everyone was happy. This to me was a bit of friendly, home town Americana to be savored, a memory to be stored and cherished:

A Memorial Day Taste Of Americana, Part 1

I'm not a big lover of parades, but I sure do have a special place in my heart for Memorial Day parades. To begin with, Memorial Day has always been my birthday, at least until they changed the holiday to Mondays. This year, with Memorial Day on the 30th, was like old times. I went to a Parade Party in historic Lansingburgh, New York, one time home of Herman Melville. Lansingburgh is also part of Troy, New York, home of Uncle Sam. So this parade was particularly filled with Americana like these marching sailors:

The little boy in the red white and blue Uncle Sam hat was Kevin, a youngster from our group who seemed to be experiencing the wonders of Memorial Day parades for the first time. Here, he's watching a fife and drum band:

A short bit of video of the fife and drum band, although I only managed to capture one final note of the fifes:



The sign on their float says "Don't Ever Forget 9-11-01." I don't quite get the concept of happy, flag waving euphoria as a means of celebrating such an event, but then I don't seem to understand a great deal of conservative thought. But they were happy and patriotic and everyone was having a joyful day:

There's Kevin again, though he took off his Uncle Sam hat because it was so darn hot. Kevin is watching what I think was the Troy High School band:

I didn't know what kind of organization the Troy Patriots was, but they sure had a big contingent at the parade. And they didn't have to march in that heat. And there's Kevin again, waving happily. He got a lot of candy thrown his way from the parade participants:

Lots of fire engines, both modern and antique:

The Lansingburgh VFW. These old guys knew better than to try to march. They rode in comfort:

The Red Caps, an adult marching band. And there's Kevin again, this time with hat back on:



The Miss Uncle Sam Pageant winners. The little girl on the front throne broke into tears just before I snapped this picture and had to be rescued by her mom. It was cute and sweet:

Little League members:

And more from a different Little League team:

Drums and bagpipes. Now we're talking! I'll post more of the parade tomorrow: