Flag Day Parade (Photo: QueensPost)
June 16, 2011 By Christian Murray
Several hundred participants marched in the 42ndannual Sunnyside Kiwanis Flag Day parade last Saturday despite overcast conditions and the threat of rain.
Many neighborhood groups and organizations met at 41stStreet and Greenpoint Ave. and proceeded to march behind their group’s respective banners waving US Flags. The New York Police Department’s marching band, the Pipes of County Armagh and the Sunnyside Drum Corp added to the charm of the small town event as the sound of brass instruments, bagpipes, and drums played.
The parade went along Greenpoint Ave through to 48th Street, culminating in a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Plaza (also known as Joseph Sabba Park), where the crowd gathered to sing patriotic songs.
Many onlookers watched the parade from the sidewalk and nearby windows as participants marched past on Greenpoint Ave. Many neighborhood groups were represented, such as: The Kiwanis; Sunnyside Drum and Bugle Corps; Queens County Council VFW Post No. 2813; Korean-American Veterans of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea; NYPD Marching Band; Boy Scout and Cub Scout Troop 390; Sunnyside Woodside Lions Club; World War II veterans; and students of P.S. 199, St. Raphael and IS 125.
Apparently, Sunnyside is the only community in the five boroughs where Flag Day is celebrated with a parade, according to several long time attendees. The parade celebrates the creation of the US official flag which was adopted on June 14th 1777 by the Second Continental Congress.
“For more than four decades … the Flag Day events bring our community together to celebrate the history of our nation, which continues to be a beacon of hope and opportunity around the world,” said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer.
PS 199 school children (Photo: QueensPost)
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3 Comments
I saw a nice little parade, where all of the participants seemed to be having a good time. Unfortunately, Flag Day is not really significant to many adults and as a result, there were more folks in the parade than watching it. I think we should all try to pay more attention to these types of events and try to be more supportive of this kind of community involvement. In the end, we all benefit.
this was a sad excuse for a parade. this neighborhood needs to be a little more lively
Betsy Ross take a bow.