From our friends and partners at the Waterford Historical Museum comes this reminder that this weekend marks the return of the Annual Waterford Heritage Day festivities.
The Annual Waterford Heritage Day celebrations will take place on Saturday, July 24, at Garrett Field, located in Waterford, New York.
Waterford Heritage Day is an event celebrating our regions rich firefighting heritage as well as the historic Button Fire Engine Company which manufactured hand and steam powered engines from the 1830’s to 1890’s in Waterford, New York. Waterford is located at the cross-roads of the once bustling Erie and Champlain Canals, where canal boats were used to ship Button fire engines to their locations throughout the United States.
To kick-off the 9th annual Waterford Heritage Day, on Friday, July 23 at the Waterford Harbor Visitor Center, the Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center, The Village of Waterford and the Waterford Village Library will co-produce the annual Concert Under the Stars, a FREE Concert performed by The Johnny Rabb Trio. The evening will also include a barbeque at 6:00 PM and end with a fireworks display, at 9:00 PM. (Rain location will be the Waterford Civic Center on Third Street)
On Saturday, July 24, Waterford Heritage Day events start at 10:00 AM with a parade of marching bands and, antique and modern fire engines from around the Northeast as they proceed through the Village of Waterford to Garrett Field on Burton Ave. After opening ceremonies a Button hand fire engine will perform a traditional “Wet Down” to celebrate Waterford’s Ford Hose Fire Company’s new engine!
Teams from throughout New England and New York will compete in an old fashioned firemen’s competition or “muster”, a competition where teams hand-pump their antique, restored fire engines to see who can throw water the furthest. Come watch – or even join in – as fire teams muster. Community participation is welcomed and all Capital Region fire companies are encouraged to join in the competition by sending representatives to help pump the engines. After the muster watch as Ford Hose’s new engine takes on an antique engine to see who can through water the furthest.
Throughout the day visitors can view, and even vote for their favorite antique and modern fire engines, on display throughout Garret Field. Enjoy the craft fair and food vendors, while the kids bounce in the bouncy-house and much more!
“We are all proud of Waterford’s rich history,” says Steve Delarge, President and CEO, Silicones Americas, Momentive Performance Materials Inc., a primary community sponsor for Heritage Day. “It’s important to look back at the community’s many accomplishments and share our heritage with each generation. Waterford is a vibrant community; from being the birthplace of the World Famous Button Fire Engine Company to the many diverse businesses that contribute to our local economy today. Momentive Performance Materials is delighted to serve as a sponsor of this wonderful Waterford tradition.” DeLarge, along with his wife Roxanne, will be the Honorary Grand Marshall of the Heritage Day Parade.
