On June 9th, Broadway in Saratoga Springs will be the site of the 51st Annual Flag Day Parade, hosted by the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge #161. This year’s parade will celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and focus on the contributions all Elk Lodges make to their communities.

Area District Lodges have been encouraged to display themes including Veterans, Americanism, Drug Awareness, Youth Activities, Senior Outreach, participation in Food Pantry and Backpack Programs, Scholarship Programs, and the New York State Elks Major Project – Cerebral Palsy.

Spectators will find plenty of entertainment for all ages, with high school and local bands, the legendary favorite Schenectady Pipe Band, musical singing groups, Girl and Boy Scout Troops, Youth Sports groups, local and military organizations, riders on horseback, pony-drawn carriages, and numerous large trucks and military entries. Rounding out the line-up is a very special performance by the 150-member Avant Garde Alumni Drum Corps, including 45 local members who have been working all year for this special appearance. Well-known from the 70’s, Avant Garde was the perennial New York State Champions, capturing the International Drum Corps Championship title 5 years in a row.

Susan Waghorn, Exalted Ruler and Chairperson of this year’s parade, announced Lt. Colonel Nicholas Laiacona, US Army Retired, Vietnam Veteran, as this year’s Honorary Grand Marshal, and Old Timer of the Year, PDDGER Patrick Mansfield as Grand Marshal.  In addition, a video of the parade will be shown during the 2018 Elks Grand Lodge Convention in San Antonio, Texas, in July.

The June 9th parade begins on North Broadway at 12 Noon and finishes at Congress Park.  For more information, Susan may be contacted at 518-584-2585.

Photography: Deborah McCabe Gerber