Crown Point Memorial Day seeking volunteers

CROWN POINT | The Crown Point Memorial Day Celebration has been a proud community fixture for almost 160 years. Ask anyone who was raised in the area and they will most likely have warm childhood memories of the parade, an event so big in a young mind's eye that they forgot it took place in a small town. However, to make all of that magic possible takes manpower and an altruistic spirit. This year, Memorial Day Committee member Jodi Gibbs is reaching out to residents in hopes a view will step forward and volunteer to help fill in the cracks. "We have a real struggle with getting folks to help us the weekend of the event, the weekend is when it all comes together and nobody wants to give up their weekend of celebration to volunteer or work," Gibbs acknowledged. People's reluctance to step forward, however, doesn't make the need for extra sets of arms any less. This year, the traditional two-day extravaganza will be held Sunday, May 24 and Monday, May 25. Over the span of those two days, there are different volunteering opportunities, each requiring a minimal amount of personal investment. "Volunteering for the celebration is an excellent opportunity for young people," explained Gibbs. "If they need volunteer hours for Cub Scouts, Eagle Scout, confirmation, National Honor Society, any of those things, this would count since we are a non-profit." Even better, no year-long commitment is necessary. Each area in need should take between one and two hours of time that weekend, and that's it. "It's a few hours here or there for the right individual," Gibbs emphasized. The Memorial Day Committee is responsible for keeping Veterans Memorial Park, the epicenter of the fun, clean and tidy. "We have to empty trash and police the park a little and pick up any trash that might not have made it into the receptacle," said Gibbs. "We then have to bring the trash to the town shed and put it in the dumpster." The need for that task will be Sunday afternoon or evening, early Monday morning, and then again Monday afternoon. All necessary supplies for the task will be provided. The fireworks held Sunday evening are set off at the baseball field at Crown Point Central School, and though beautiful in the night sky, they do leave behind debris and residue. "We could really use help to rake the field afterward and would love to find someone willing and able," Gibbs said, adding that raking of the field would need to be on Monday at any point in time. The parade lineup, which begins at 1 p.m. on Monday, gets quite chaotic without enough bodies to help oversee and steer floats and participants to their starting point. "We place people on different parts of the road to direct folks where to go," Gibbs said. "We don't always have that, and the more volunteers we have, the better it works out with a more organized flow," Gibbs said. Though volunteers are highly desired, Gibbs assured that this year, residents and visitors can expect the same great two days as always. Veterans Park will be open Sunday from noon until 10 p.m., and Monday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. with live music, rides, vendors, and food. New first-time vendors are signed up for the park (and there is still time for others to join in), and the popular band Barkeater will perform Monday after the parade. The parade is always open for more participants, right up until showtime. "Anybody can join the parade; if you show up unregistered, we will place you where we can place you," Gibbs promised. "As long as you are patient and understanding, you will get up the street." Monday's festivities begin promptly at 9 a.m. with the annual Solemn Cemetery Tour, a driving tour that begins at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Organized every year by Kama Ingleston, the tour visits eight area cemeteries for 20-30 minutes with a different speaker at each stop, honoring the local fallen soldiers there. "The tour is really what the entire weekend is about and what we are memorializing, the folks who came before us and fought for our freedom," remarked Gibbs. The tour concludes around noon and ends at the park, where people can grab a hot dog, and await the parade at 2 p.m. Anyone who would like to volunteer on either Sunday or Monday is encouraged to call Gibbs at 518-597-3492. Anyone with questions is invited to do the same. The vendor info and sign-up are available at https://www.facebook.com/CPMemorialDay. "Memorial Day is not just a barbecue, it is about remembering all those folks that fought for us and continue to fight for us, and memorializing the ones no longer here," Gibbs noted. "It's not forgetting the reason for the commemoration and the celebration."

Signup for our newsletter

Crown Point Memorial Day seeking volunteers

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS