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The Corning-Painted Post West High School Marching Band makes its way up Main Street.

Parade barely beats the rain

WATKINS GLEN, June 12 -- The 55th annual Montour Falls Firefighters' Parade down Main Street -- held in conjunction with the popular Firemen's Festival -- was concluded in relatively dry fashion Saturday despite repeated rainstorms moving through the region.

The parade, which normally takes about an hour and a half to complete, was done in an hour this time as officials "kept things moving," in the words of Fire Chief Jeff Confer.

A driving rainstorm struck the area at midafternoon, and bands of less intense rain continued popping up in the region, but they held off long enough for the parade to be organized and run. It was only near its conclusion, with two parade units still passing the reviewing stand, that the rain returned. Within about seven minutes, it was pouring again. The storm lasted about 45 minutes.

The parade featured seven bands and -- as usual -- representative trucks from fire departments throughout the area. The bands included the Pittsford Fire Department Marching Band, the Corning Area Community Concert Band, the Addison Knights high school marching band, bands from both Corning East and Corning West High Schools, the Odessa-Montour High School band, and the Jasper-Troupsburg Central School Band. Also on hand were the Caledonia Highlanders bagpipe corps.

Fire units represented included Montour Falls, Odessa, Penn Yan, Watkins Glen, Burdett, Millport, Enfield, Mecklenburg, Tyrone, Valois-Logan-Hector, Dundee, Branchport/Keuka Park, Slaterville, Trumansburg, Hammondsport, Elmira Heights, and Southport.

As in past years, Jim Howell served as emcee, providing a running commentary on all of the parade entrants.

Among the politicians on hand were both Joe Fazzary and Dennis Morris, vying for the Republican nomination for County Judge.

Other features included vintage automobiles and tractors, and representatives from the New York State Police, Schuyler County Sheriff's Department, Watkins Glen Police Department, E.J. Brewer Marine Corps League, Odessa American Legion Post 676, Boy Scouts Troop 50 and Cub Pack 3050 of Odessa, Boy Scout Troop 2000 of Watkins Glen, Cub Scouts Pack 56, miniature horses, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 267A of Watkins Glen, Schuyler Hospital, the Civil Air Patrol, and Schuyler Ambulance.

Photos in text:

Top: A member of the Caledonia Highlanders plays her bagpipe.

Bottom: Montour Falls Fire Chief Jeff Confer marches in the parade.

The Odessa Fire Department was among many units on hand for the parade.

County Judge candidate Joe Fazzary with daughter Isabella.

County Judge candidate Dennis Morris.

The Dundee Volunteer Fire Department starts its march up Main Street.

Members of the Corning East Marching Band perform along Main Street.

A member of the Corning East band as the musicians high-stepped down the boulevard.

Among the crowd: Ken and Liz Landry, recently named Fans of the Year at Watkins Glen High School's Athletic Awards Night.

A Jasper-Troupsburg Marching Band flautist performs as the band nears the reviewing stand.

Odessa-Montour senior Malissa Richards checks behind her as, backpedalling, she leads the O-M High School Band along Main Street.

Members of the EJ Brewer Marine Corps League passed by early in the parade.

Among the bands was this one: the Pittsford Fire Department Marching Band.

A member of the Corning-Painted Post West High School Marching Band.