This year’s July 4 patriotic celebration on Brockport’s Morgan-Manning House lawn will begin at 10 a.m. with a flag raising ceremony and songs by the Brockport Summer Community Choir directed by Liz Banner. The Children’s Parade begins immediately after, at about 10:30 a.m.
The parade features families and children of all ages in patriotic attire riding or pushing tricycles, bicycles, strollers, carriages, and pulling wagons also suitably decorated. Join the parade around the block starting in front of Morgan-Manning House. Children in the parade will receive gift bags.
With patriotic appeal, this participant enjoyed last year’s July 4 Children’s Parade at Morgan-Manning House. Photo by Dianne Hickerson
At 11 a.m., following the Children’s Parade, a concert begins with the stirring sounds of The Brockport Community Concert Band playing patriotic tunes, show tunes, American selections and marches. The High School Band expanded for this event and became the Brockport Community Concert Band premiering four years ago. It represents the entire community, including families, Brockport Central students and music staff, area music teachers, college students and others. Shawn Halquist is director.
At 12:15 p.m., The Brockport Big Band continues a long tradition at the July 4 celebration, bringing sounds of composers like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Stan Kenton from the 1940’s Big Band Jazz era.
New this year, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Carriage House, meet retired racing greyhounds and learn about what great pets they make after their racing careers are over. Some of these dogs will participate in the Children’s Parade, too.
Old fashioned children’s games will be enjoyed from noon to 1 p.m. The Cake Walk at 1:30 p.m. is a popular event, providing amusement and a free cake, if you win.
Food and Refreshments will be available from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., including hamburgers, veggie burgers, Italian sausage and hot dogs. Ice cream novelties, cookies and popcorn will be sold also. Tours of the Morgan-Manning House will be available for free at 12:30 and 1:30 p.m.
Members of the community are invited to join the choir or band for the July 4 event. The choir practices on June 29 and 30 from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Brockport High School choir room. Information and registration can be found by emailing elizabeth.banner@bcs1.org. The band practices are on the same days in the band room, but from 7 to 8:30 p.m. For information and registration, contact Shawn.halquist@bcs1.org.
The entertainment and other aspects of the event are paid for from a Liberty Mutual “Restore the Fourth” grant won by the Village and The Western Monroe Historical Society five years ago.
The Western Monroe Historical Society sponsors the event offered free to the public. The WMHS offices are located in the Morgan-Manning House, 151 Main Street, Brockport. For information, contact the office at 637-3645, or see the web site www.morganmanninghouse.org.
