Memorial Day in Genesee County

To bad the parade can't start at Austin Park and go down Main Street like years ago...

Do the Islands on Main Street have anything to do with the change?

the islands have everything to do with it.
There isn't enough room on either side of the island to hold a parade. this is why parades are starting on the east end of town and ending at Liberty & Summit.
Howard, in the day, Main St. was packed for the Pageant of Bands parade and St. Joe's Carnival parade, and for that matter, Main St. used to be packed for the little parks parade held at the end of the summer.
The Memorial Day Parade, although not as big as others, also drew a big crowd.
The demise of parades in Batavia may have a lot to do with the cost of transportation, etc., but it also has something to do with the various Batavia bands NOT attending parades in other towns. Reciprocation is a vital part of staging a parade..you come to our parade and we'll show up for your's.
I may be wrong, but it seems as if the Batavia Concert Band marches only for the Memorial Day parade.
Hopefully they will continue to entertain us on Wednesday's for their outdoor concerts.

To the families of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, thank you, this monday is a celebration of what it means to be American. I hope your heart is not troubled by the loss of the hero your family provided the nation.

To those serving thank you as well.

And to the thousands like me who volunteered to give their lives if it meant protecting the freest nation know, thank you. We are the veterans of so many hardships. I hope that you are able to reap the benefits of living in this nation that you love.

Bea,
Don't forget, Batavia nolonger has the military units that were popular. The Army Reserve left years ago and the National Guard here has been reduced to a very small number. They were always a big hit with the kids.

I don't see why the islands on Main street have any thing to do with it..If they can go down Harvester Ave,which is half the size of Main Street then i think they can go down on half of Main..People can stand on in the road on the other half of Main..But things aren't what they use to be..
But to all those that served and the family's who lost loved ones fighting for our freedoms thank you..

Mark,
when we are talking 'big' parade with performing bands that do elaborate routines in front of a judging stand, they need the real estate that a full main street offers.
Once again, the performance isn't just marching down the street tooting a horn. There is a great deal of showmanship, talent, and hours of practice to get it right to delight the audiences and make a good impression on the judges...remember it is the judges that make the determination as to best of parade, and the money that goes along with it.
The Memorial Day parade turns at Harvester. The bands are not performing in front of a judges stand on Harvester. That street is so small that the band that performs at the ceremonies at the cemetery play on the street.
If you haven't made it to the cemetery in a few years for the ceremony, I'd recommend it. It is moving and a reminder of those, from this area, who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Posted by John Roach about 3 hours ago
Bea,
Don't forget, Batavia nolonger has the military units that were popular. The Army Reserve left years ago and the National Guard here has been reduced to a very small number. They were always a big hit with the kids.

Yes, the military units were big hits and added much to the parades in town.
The ironic thing is that our area bands are getting bigger and better. Their color guard and winter guard units are competing and looking better than they have in years. Many bands are sporting new uniforms, some have traveled out of state in the last year or so and came away with honors.
The budget cuts have left them all dressed up with no where to go.

Bea..no disrespect but,I played in the drum corp years and years ago,marched many many parades and believe me there is room on main to march down,and the parade isn't all bands,Its alot of other groups that also make it a parade,I think the reason they gave up on Main has more to do with the size of the parade.There is no judging stand in the Memorial Day Parade,So there is no prizes,so no routines.But if you really needed the whole street you would have it after summit street....The point of all this its just too bad we don't have Memorial parades like we use to....

None taken, Mark.
I agree about the parade. I wish it could be on Main St. too.
Last year, for Memorial Day, I had the pleasure of watching the parade from Pontillo's porch. While there wasn't a judges stand there was a review stand. Same size as a judges stand. It was located just east of Pontillo's.
I respect your experience in both band and drum corps. You know of what I speak. You're right, it isn't all bands, but even in the Memorial Day parade, the bands did perform in front of the review stand. Ergo, the need for space.
Why not place the review stand past Summit St and have the parade down Main St.? It is a good question. Perhaps someone who is in the know can answer that for us.
Me thinks we are tradionalists. A dying breed :(

From what I can tell (and I'm sure it isn't the only reason), I don't think anyone that has the position within the city/town and the needed experience wants to sacrifice the time to organize a parade.

Even if the past military presence in Batavia has left, there are a few local potential alternatives. Least, that I can think of.