Lyndonville parade puts shine on patriotism and hometown pride
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – This group represents Head Start and Early Head Start in today’s Lyndonville Fourth of July Parade.
Snowstorm Solutions follows them with a tribute to Sept. 11, 2001 victims – “Gone but not forgotten” is painted on the snow plow with an image of the World Trade Center towers.
About 50 different groups were in today’s parade. The 51st annual Independence Day festival put on the Lions Club concludes with a big fireworks starting around 10 p.m.
Orly the Ox, Orleans County’s bicentennial mascot, was decked out in red, white and blue for the parade. Orly is driven by Susan Starkweather Miller, a member of the Orleans County Bicentennial Committee.
Just before the hour-long parade a military flyover passed over Lyndonville. The plane came from the 911th United States Air Force Reserve from Pittsburgh, Pa. The flyover was at about 11:55 a.m.
A big crowd filled Main Street as the procession of fire trucks and floats made their way along the route.
Bob Eberle once again dressed as Uncle Sam. He waved to the crowd along Main Street.
Mark Watts has lots of people on board while he drives a former Medina fire truck from 1933.
The Christ family in Murray was in the parade promoting the Murray Tractor Pull July 19 on Groth Road.
Lyndonville native Matt Tabor was back in the parade as the character Deadpool.
Gallagher Hill Trucking brought some tractor trailers for the parade.
The Niagara Falls Air Force Honor Guard marches in the parade.
Many in the crowd removed their hats to show respect to the soldiers in the Honor Guard.
The Lyndonville marching band from the school had a strong contingent of students in the parade.
Veterans ride in a trolley provided by the Houseman-Tanner Post of the American Legion.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office led the parade with the family of the late Colonel Rick N. Parsons of Lyndonville not far behind. Parsons’s wife Nancy served as honorary grand marshal.
Colonel Parsons graduated from the Lyndonville Central High School in 1962 and was the first Lyndonville High School graduate to attend the United States Air Force Academy graduating in 1966. He spent 26 years in service to his country before his retirement from the Air Force in 1994.
Scott Schmidt served as the parade emcee. He is joined on the parade platform by his father, Bruce Schmidt, a member of the Lyndonville Lions Club.
The Alexander Fire Department Band has been a perennial parade performer in Lyndonville for many years.
Kids from the Oak Orchard Assembly of God unleashed many bubbles in the parade. They were promoting Kids Crusade from July 20 to 23, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. for children ages 4 to 11.
The Keystone Club Police Pipes & Drums in Gates is another parade mainstay in Lyndonville.
Joshua Vacanti, a star from The Voice, sang from a float to promote the upcoming Salt & Light Festival from July 25-27 at Solid Rock Assembly of God, 8590 Rochester Rd., Gasport.
Ontario Shores Realty generously sprayed water soakers at the crowd. The temperatures weren’t too bad at around 80. Some recent Independence Day holidays have been well above 90 in Lyndonville.
