Emmitsburg’s Traditional Parade Route Returns and Why It Is Important to Older Emmitsburgians
I am very happy to announce that for our Emmitsburg Heritage Day Parade on June 25, 2016, we will be using the traditional parade route that our forefathers and Veterans used for years.
When I was asked by the Heritage Day committee to coordinate the parade, I started to investigate why the old route was changed and why the number of participants had been dwindling. I could remember from my younger days that West Main Street would be lined with spectators; the parade lined up out Fraley Road and out Annandale Road, and would start at the Doughboy statue and continue down West Main Street. I inquired as to why the route was changed, and it seemed the most-popular answer I received was that they were told traffic could not be held up on Rt. 140. The route they were using started at the north end of town, and the first thing you faced was climbing a hill to make the first turn onto DePaul Street. I watched as young people were having a tough time marching up the hill, much less the older crowd who did not want to start out that way, several asking if they could join in on top of the hill to avoid marching up hill. The lead vehicles did not slow down and wait for the participates to catch up, and when they made the left on DePaul Street, they were out of sight, resulting in a lot of space between the lead car and the Color Guard as they turned right on Federal Avenue to East Main Street. When the vehicles arrived at the square to turn right on South Seton Avenue, there was a great deal of space between participates. I observed the eastbound traffic being stopped at the square and realized that the traffic for Rt. 140 was being held up, so what did it matter if traffic was held up at the Doughboy or at the square? I made a decision right then to try my best to have our old parade route back again. I wrote a letter to our state representative and explained our situation. I didn’t hear anything until spring, when Commissioner Cliff Sweeney handed me a permit form and said Samuel Delaurence from the Maryland State Highway Department would like to speak to me about the proposed route for the Emmitsburg Heritage Day Parade.
I called Mr. Delaurence and discovered he was a very nice person; we worked things out and are now basically back to our traditional route for the parade. The parade will start at the Doughboy at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, 2016, and will continue down West Main Street to the Square, where it will then turn right on South Seton Avenue to the Fire Museum, turning right to the Community Park. Folks, it is downhill all the way. What more could you ask for?
The judging will take place in front of Emmitsburg Fire Company 6 Fire House. Everyone is invited back to the bandstand at the Community Park, where prizes will be awarded and entertainment will be provided in part by The Harmony Coronet Band.
I love a parade and especially a parade in my home town of Emmitsburg.
If I missed mailing an invitation to you, and you would like to be a participant in the parade, please contact me for a registration form at 72andready@gmail.com
God bless the United States of America, God bless the American Veteran, and God bless you. Serving my country in the best way I know how: as a volunteer.
A special thanks to D.L. George and Sons for rerouting their trucks because of the parade!
