Saturday was the second day of Waterloo’s Celebrate/Commemorate Weekend.
Waterloo held the first formal, village wide, annual observance of a day dedicated to honoring the war dead in 1866 . On March 7, 1966, the State of New York recognized Waterloo by a proclamation signed by Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller. This was followed by recognition from Congress of the United States when the House of Representatives and the Senate unanimously passed House Concurrent Resolution 587 on May 17th and May 19th, 1966 respectively. This reads in part as follows: “Resolved that the Congress of the United States, in recognition of the patriotic tradition set in motion one hundred years ago in the Village of Waterloo, NY, does hereby officially recognize Waterloo, New York as the birthplace of Memorial Day…”
Saturday started in Waterloo with the 5K Run and Walk-A Tribute to the Fallen.
The early afternoon rain storm shut down activities in Lafayette Park, but thousands of people turned out for the morning parade.
All Photos by Greg Cotterill, Finger Lakes Daily News.
SUNDAY, May 26th
8:00 – 11:00am Breakfast Buffet American Legion
9:00 – 3:00 Civil War Living History Camp per Camp Schedules Oak Island
9:00 – 3:00 Wheels on Main Street Car Show Main Street
10:00 – 4:00 Arts & Craft Show Lafayette Park
10:00 – 4:00 Kids’ Korner Activity Tent Williams Street
10:00, 12, 2 & 4 Finger Lakes Water Adventures Boat Tour $ Oak Island
10:00 – 3:00 ExtravaCANza 2024 benefitting area food pantries Community Center, Oak Street
12:00 – 3:00 M’Clintock House Open E. Williams Street
12:00, 1:00, 2:00 Ranger Led Discussions M’Clintock House
12:00 – 5:00 National Memorial Day Museum Open E. Main Street
12:00 – 3:30 Horse & Wagon Rides through Village Lafayette Park
MONDAY, May 27th
8:00 – 10:00 Memorial Day Veterans Bike Rally Registration Waterloo VFW
10:00 Bike Rally – Kick Stands up! Waterloo VFW
12:00 – 5:00 National Memorial Day Museum Open E. Main Street
THURSDAY, May 30th
9:00 – 11:00 Military Services conducted at village cemeteries:
St. Mary’s, Maple Grove, & Elisha Williams
12:00 – 5:00 National Memorial Day Museum Open Main Street
6:00 Memorial Day Parade Main Street
6:30 Memorial Day Ceremonies Lafayette Park
Featured Speaker: Vincent J. (Jim) Troiola
Past National Commander American Legion 22-2
