America’s 250th birthday honored in traditional parade

The Patchogue Lions Club’s Main Street Fourth of July parade in the Village of Patchogue was held on Saturday, July 4, amidst scorching 100-degree weather, but enough celebration to counter the high temperatures.

“Honoring our past and inspiring our future,” in celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary, was this year’s theme and with floats honoring colonial themes and settings.

The 78th parade started at West Avenue and travelled east on Main Street to Rider Avenue. The reviewing stand was set up in front of Capital One Bank Plaza, where the groups in the parade were announced.

This year’s grand marshal was the Long Island Advance’s publisher, Terry Tuthill.

“I was so honored to be recognized by the Lions Club, especially with our country’s 250th anniversary. I applaud everyone who showed up during this heat wave to support me and the Lions Club members who did an outstanding job organizing this year’s parade,” said Tuthill. 

At the announcement of Tuthill’s selection for grand marshal, last year’s grand marshal and mayor of Patchogue, Paul Pontieri, gave glowing support for Tuthill to lead the parade.

“As we celebrate the 250th birthday of our country, we must also realize that for 155 of those years the Long Island Advance has been the newspaper for our community. For 102 years, the newspaper has been led by a Tuthill,” said Pontieri. “It is appropriate that this year’s Fourth of July Parade will be led by the Long Island Advance’s publisher Terry Tuthill. Terry’s support of the community is measured by the quality of the paper he puts out. As mayor of the Village of Patchogue, I want to thank Terry for his efforts and his commitment to the community.”

Trustee Kevin Weeks, who also braved the strong sunny weather, said “Like all of us, America is a work in progress. I love what Adlai Stevenson said, that “patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.” Loving one’s country is a lot like being in a relationship, or staying in shape: it requires discipline and dedication, sometimes it’s hard work, and it’s not always fun. Mostly it’s about showing up and caring, every day. And so I was proud to walk with my colleagues and share the celebration with my neighbors, despite the blazing sun and sweltering heat, proudly waving the flag and expressing our love for America, as we work together to create a more perfect union, and to make it strong and healthy for the next 250 years,” said trustee Kevin Weeks, who marched in the parade for the elected officials banner.

Lions International was founded in 1917 in Chicago, Ill.  There are over 1.4 million men and women in over 120 countries pledge their time and efforts to overcome preventable and curable blindness. The Patchogue Lions was founded on Jan. 16, 1947.  The next year, the Patchogue Fourth of July parade was established.

The year’s parade was part of the village’s yearlong celebration, including several events in April such as the Patchogue Historical Society event honoring Capt. Austin Roe, as well as several events educating students in the Patchogue-Medford district.