The Village of Waterloo, in the heart of the Finger Lakes region, is known far and wide as the “Birthplace of Memorial Day,” says Jane Shaffer, who has co-chaired Waterloo’s Celebrate Commemorate May weekend for 16 years.
Waterloo Memorial Day Parade
According to Jane, the community event is a great way to bring attention to a national holiday. Patriotic Waterloo has even made it into the Guinness Book of World Records when, on May 29, 2000, there were 25,898 flags flying in the village!
“What families can expect to experience in Waterloo May 27- 30th isn’t a festival or a carnival; rather it’s a hometown event with a good dose of family fun,” Jane elaborates. Memorial Day offers a time to celebrate the liberties we might not have without the sacrifices of those who served in the military, and it is also the perfect time to commemorate and acknowledge the significance of those who gave their service and their lives to keep America free.
If you’re only able to make it to Waterloo for a day, Saturday may be your best bet as the day is chock full of activities and entertainment for parents and kids. The old-fashioned parade begins at 11am and travels down Main Street – veteran groups are the foundation of the procession and there will be many chances to clap your hands and wave flags for them. You’ll also see floats made by youth and adult organizations, the Finger Lakes Drum and Bugle Corp, the popular Rochester brass band, The Hit Men, along with plenty of fire trucks and antique cars. Jane says the parade is a great way to begin to teach younger children about the concept of patriotism. Marchers disperse at Lafayette Park and kids will find all sorts of excitement there. Kids Korner, organized by local youth organizations like Girl Scouts and 4-H, is perfect for toddlers and youth to about age 10. What makes The Korner so appealing is that the games and activities are led by other children and are usually a “simple kind of fun” without a lot of “bells and whistles.” There’s basketball, bowling, and Tic Tac Toe Toss, which are inexpensive (proceeds go to the sponsoring club) and allow kids to win small prizes to take home with them. Kids Korner returns again on Sunday at 10am for more fun and games.
Celebrate Commemorate also offers the opportunity to learn more about our nation’s history through a visit to the Civil War encampments which are in Waterloo throughout the weekend. With everyone in costume, encampments are a truly authentic way to travel back in time and learn more about life in previous centuries. Civil War era games like cricket, (which kids may have heard about but never seen played before), musket cleaning demonstrations and cannon firiings are just a few of the activities you can see. Another opportunity that might be of interest to parents and kids is taking a ride on a canal boat to learn more about New York’s waterways and the lock system. There are also miniature horse and carriage rides that are perfect for small fry or guided horse and carriage tours for older kids and adults. Last, but not least, before heading home Saturday night don’t forget to catch the thrilling fireworks display off of Oak Island once darkness has descended.
Jane explains that the Celebrate Commemorate committee’s goal is twofold – not only to ensure that local kids understand and respect the historical significance of their hometown, but to integrate as many young people as possible into the Memorial Day activities. Committee members acknowledge that they won’t be around forever, and that it’s important for them to pass Waterloo’s heritage on to its youth so they’ll be motivated to assume leadership for Celebrate Commemorate when their time comes. In pursuit of this goal, Celebrate Commemorate committee members run a program called Creative Expressions in the Waterloo schools, beginning in kindergarten. Jane explains that every year, there is a contest where kids can use all types of artistic expression and media to show what Memorial Day means to them, including collages, drawings, and essays. The winners are recognized in an assembly and their creations are on display at Lafayette Park during Memorial Day for others to read, view, and be inspired by. Additionally, middle school children complete a patriotic project in their “advisement” class each year which is also displayed at the park. Other students help with setup and cleanup for Celebrate Commemorate or volunteer for some of the event’s committees throughout the year, all things Jane believes will increase their sense of pride in and stewardship of the Birthplace of Memorial Day. “We hope we’ve established a high-quality community event that continues for generations to come,” she declares.
A Few Important Details
- Celebrate Commemorate is held rain or shine. Admission is free, though there may be a minimal fee for some of the games and activities. There’s lots of free parking in the village and plenty of food is available from vendors and at local restaurants. Two alternate ideas for refreshments with a local flavor include a stop at the Finger Lakes Cheese Trail booth or a visit to the Cornell Cooperative Extension tent that offers information about nutrition and hourly cooking demonstrations. For a complete schedule of events CLICK HERE
What to Do — BACKUP PLAN
- Can’t make it to Waterloo to celebrate over the holiday weekend? For 148 consecutive years the Village has commemorated Memorial Day on May 30, no matter what day of the week it falls on. Local veterans’ organizations hold a parade and ceremonies in honor of those men and women who served, and are still serving, today. Or you can plan a visit to the National Memorial Day Museum to learn more about the history of the holiday and how Waterloo became the Birthplace of Memorial Day. The Main Street museum (suggested donation) is open mid-April through mid-December; visit www.wlhs-ny.org for its hours of operation.
Sue Henninger is a monthly contributor to Rochester & Genesee Valley Parent who enjoys writing about the unique people, places, and events that can be found in the Finger Lakes region. Contact her at www.fingerlakeswriter.com 2016
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