After a multi-decade hiatus, the American Legion Post 128 and Auxiliary revived the annual parade in 2014 and is sponsoring the 2015 parade. The parade stages at Rye's Train Station Plaza before proceeding along Purchase Street to the Village Green.
The day begins with members of the Rye Fire Department marching from the Locust Avenue Firehouse to the Fire monument at the Fire monument in the circle at Milton Road and Grace Church Street. The monument honors firefighters who served their nation. There will be a brief ceremony at 8 a.m. Visitors are invited to view the service at any point around the circle.
Marching organizations, bands, vintage cars and veterans will line up in Rye Station Plaza at 8:30 a.m. for the parade to the Village Green.
Reflecting Rye's historical roots, there will be a number of horse-drawn participants featuring the iconic Wells Fargo stagecoach, made possible by Wells Fargo Bank.
The Larchmont Historical Society will march with its 1928 antique firetruck; the Jay Heritage Center will enter a horse-drawn hay wagon; and the Rye Historical Society will provide horses and riders.
Harrison Paint and Supply will provide its calliope wagon, adding to the old-time flavor of the festivities. A contingent of antique cars will travel the parade route as well.
At 10:30 a.m., American Legion Post 128 Cmdr.Tom Saunders will begin the formal ceremony on the Green.
The ceremony will include a guest speech from U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel, a Democrat whose 16th Congressional District includes parts of the Bronx and Westchester counties.
The annual Americanism Award will be presented to Bob Steel, social studies teacher at Rye High School, who pioneered bringing combat veterans into the classroom to tell of their experiences.
The ceremony will feature the traditional reading of the Gettysburg Address, awards to top school scholars who competed in a patriotic essay contest and recognition of honored war dead with the reading of the names of those who fought and perished in the wars of the 20th century.
Elected officials, including Rye Mayor Joe Sack, Rye City Council members, and Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker, a Democrat from Rye, are expected to attend, as well as representatives from the Rye Board of Education.
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