Though the nation officially commemorates the adoption of the United States flag on Wednesday, June 14, communities in the Capital Region will start celebrating Flag Day early with parades and other special events.
In Saratoga, the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge 161 will host the 50th annual Flag Day Parade this Saturday.
The parade will start on North Broadway in Saratoga Springs at noon and is expected to finish by 4 p.m. There will be appearances by the Polish-American String Band, a Philadelphia-based Mummer group, and the Schenectady Pipe Band.
The parade will also include a flyover by the 109th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard.
The grand marshal will be retired Maj. Gen. Michael R. Van Patton, of the New York Army National Guard, who is also a resident of Saratoga Springs.
Other upcoming Flag Day events include:
The 16th annual Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Community Flag Day Parade, starting at 7 p.m. Thursday. Fireworks will follow the parade. Route 50 will be shut down from 6:30-8:30 from Kingsbury Road to Forest Road during the event.
Burnt Hills will also host the Route 50 Mile, a 1-mile road race that starts at 6:50 p.m. Day-of race registration will be open from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
The Clifton Park Elks Lodge will host its 45th annual Flag Day Celebration from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. on Friday. The event will take place at the lodge, located at 695 MacElroy Road in Ballston Lake. Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh will be the keynote speaker.
The city of Troy will conduct its annual Flag Day parade from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. There will be fireworks, a carnival and a U.S. Army flyover after the event.
Categories: -News-, Schenectady County
