SFD Invites Everyone to Join the Annual Flag Day Parade June 14

By Liz Page

STAMFORD – The annual Flag Day Parade in Stamford turns 51 this year and continues to be a huge draw both for participants and spectators. Members of the Stamford Fire Department, which sponsors the parade, want to get the word out in plenty of time to allow anyone who may want to create a float to have time to build it.

There will be a number of high school bands, fire departments,  drum corps, fire apparatus, organizations, businesses, horseback riders, antique cars, mascots, princesses, and more, who join in the parade. 

Community organizations and others are invited to participate. The fire department is asking that people stick to a patriotic theme for the parade which is held to honor the American flag. Floats are welcome.

This year's parade steps off at 6 p.m. on Flag Day, Friday, June 14. The parade is canceled only by a thunderstorm and steps off from the east end of the village at Tower Mountain Ave. and marches along Main Street and Harper Street to the west end of the village, ending at West End Ave. The Stamford Fire Dept., which sells food, along with local businesses and other organizations. This year's grand marshal is Kathy Sutton, who is known by every child attending Stamford Central School. She was honored by the school district in April for her 52 years of service. There aren't too many people who serve the school community for that length of time. She is a favorite with the kids and has always enjoyed being with the kids. She will be driving her BUS 93.  In addition to being a much-loved bus driver, she has served on the school’s custodial staff, assisted in the Main Office and was a classroom aide. 

Floats, horseback, scouts and other organizations marching, line up in the parking lot between Beaver and Liberty Streets and Color Guards line up on Liberty Street. Fire Departments line up along Beaver and Prospect Street at the direction of the Stamford Fire Department.

 A flag retirement ceremony will be held at dusk at the Stamford Veterans Club on state Rt. 10 to properly retire worn and other flags that need to be taken out of service. Anyone with a flag to be retired may drop the flag inside the blue mailbox on the front porch of the Stamford Veteran’s Club at any time. The American Flag should never be discarded and veterans hold this special ceremony to see that old and worn flags are properly retired.