Rotterdam’s 47th annual Memorial Day Parade is scheduled to take place Thursday, May 24, at 6:30 p.m.
Board member and co-chair of the parade committee Diane Marco said this is the first time in 46 years has had to alter its route.
Normally, the parade starts at Mohonasen High School and heads down Curry Road to the Town Hall at Sunrise Boulevard. This year, the Mohonasen senior prom is the same day, so the parade is going to start at the Dunkin’ Donuts on Curry Road and continue to the Town Hall.
We needed to keep Altamont Avenue and that end of Curry Road clear for the limousines and cars going into the high school, Marco said.
Hundreds of residents either participate or gather to watch the town’s Memorial Day parade.
`It’s a very big deal in our town,` Marco said.
There are six parade divisions, each with 10-12 marching units, including fire departments, police departments, marching bands from both Mohonasen and Schalmont, various businesses and organizations and, of course, veterans.
This year’s grand marshal is veteran Dominick Tiscione, who will be riding in a red Thunderbird convertible.
`The streets are going to be packed with residents,` Marco said. `The best place to watch the parade is always from the Curry Road Shopping Center.`
Marco said Curry Road would be closed from Hollywood Avenue to Sunrise Boulevard beginning around 5 p.m. on Thursday.
`We always have a phenomenal parade,` Supervisor Steven Tommasone said.
`Every organization in town is involved in one way or another. The parades are great it’s the highlight for the town, it brings everyone together.`
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