Friday, June 08, 2007

Flag Day Parade and Gelato!!



I've been on the road again and apologize for not posting; with school out and summer nearly upon us, I will probably be posting less frequently anyway.

Having said that, I wanted to remind everyone that it is almost time for my favorite event of the year, Troy's annual Flag Day Parade (photograph here from City of Troy's Flag Day Parade web page). Troy's most enduring event, the Troy Flag Day Parade is now in its 40th continuous year and is the largest parade in the nation in honor of the American flag. The 2007 edition of the Troy Flag Day Parade takes place Sunday, June 10th with a line up of exciting attractions. The Parade steps off at 1:00pm Sunday, June 10th with many new attractions added to the line-up. It follows a two mile route along 4th Street beginning in South Troy at 4th & Main Street and ending at 4th & Federal Street. Following the parade, a festa with great food and music will be held at the Italian Community Center.

The parade is maintained only by public donations and corporate sponsorship; hence, community support is critical to keeping this wonderful tradition flourishing. Contributors see their dollars at work every time the parade passes by. Donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law and may be mailed to the Troy Flag Day Parade Committee, P.O. Box 56 Troy, NY 12181. Make checks payable to Troy Flag Day Fund Drive.

It is always a great, and very well attended event. Those living on Fourth Street should remember to move their cars, as the street cleaners will come through in the early a.m. Then the street venders will start patrolling the street selling their wares and making noise to call attention to themselves, while parade viewers will stake out viewing spots and seating arrangements early in the day.

Also, I just made another visit to L&S Garden Supply on Pawling Avenue this afternoon. L&S is a great place to stop by if your farmers' market produce runs out mid-week--or anytime. In addition to a great supply of bedding plants (flowers and herbs), Steve continues to have good produce (currently including asparagus, raspberries, strawberries and tomatoes among other things) and has recently added GELATO and espresso to his offerings. Having sampled a combo half chocolate half coffee gelato, I can attest that it is delicious and perfect on a day like today. Flavors include chocolate, coffee, caramel, strachiatella, and tiramisu; dairy free flavors are mango, lemon, strawberry and raspberry, if I remember correctly. So please stop by and tell Steve I sent you.