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The 1950s came to full swing during Saturday’s Violet Festival parade.
Organizers said the theme — “Swinging to the 50s” — was chosen because Lyndon Lyon hybridized the first double-pink violet in that decade. The theme became the inspiration for floats and outfits for those walking in the parade, with one float capturing the look of the jukebox era and others wearing poodle skirts and scarves tied around the neck.
The Violet Festival kicked off on Friday, with opening ceremonies and a princess pageant, and continued on Saturday with the parade in the morning and fireworks scheduled for the evening. Sunday included a 5K Run and Walk. The whole weekend was full of activities throughout the villagel.
Once the parade got started, some of the children could not contain their excitement with shouts of “they’re coming!” as the drumbeats gradually got louder.
Grand Marshall Louis Dunderdale, dressed in a white suit and hat, with a violet-colored sash and a trim of violet flowers on his hat, marched behind the banner that read, “The Violet Festival: Blooming Again in Dolgeville.”
Other dignitaries in the parade were U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna, state Assemblyman Marc Butler, Violet Festival King and Queen Don and Erma Hoffman and Chris Johnson, this year’s recipient of the Lyndon Lyon Community Award. Mayor Bruce Lyon and members of the village board rode along in the parade and were among the many that tossed out candy to eager children. Some also passed out beads, and the Dolgeville Teachers Association handed out pencils.
School marching bands played some newer tunes for people’s entertainment, including Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face,” Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and a medley of songs by 11980s rock band Journey.
Also in the parade were members of the Dolgeville Football Hall of Fame, members of the school’s class of 1961 and Little League and Babe Ruth baseball players. Pageant winners waved from the top of floats, including the Herkimer County Dairy court, the Herkimer County Fair court, the Maple Syrup Association princess and festival pageant winners.
For some of those in attendance, it was about family and tradition.
“We come every year. We live here,” said Christine Daley.
“It’s a tradition. We’ve come as long as they’ve had it,” said Heather Souza, of St. Johnsville. Souza said “watching the kids” enjoy themselves is among the highlights for her at the parade.
Mark Armstrong, of Dolgeville, said he also comes every year. “It’s a lot of fun. You see a lot of people,” he said. “I like watching the school bands, and seeing my son on the Little League float.”
“It went great as soon as the weather cooperated,” said Jackie Rachon, chairperson of the parade, alluding to the overcast skies. She said they had a good turnout among participants, which was about 90 percent.
The Waterville High School band won the school marching band competition, with Dolgeville placing second and West Canada Valley third. The winner among other marching bands were the Central New York Police and Fire Band, who placed first, the Mohawk Valley Frasers who were second and the Ziyara Shriners, who placed third.
For the float competition, the Little Falls Hospital - Basset Healthcare Network was first, Green Acres was second and third place went to GPO Credit Union. Best looking was the Hilltop Fire Auxiliary from Oppenheim and the judge’s choice went to the Stratford Senior Citizens.
There was plenty for visitors to check out at Harold R. Plowe Park during and after the parade, including food and craft vendor tents.
The 1950s came to full swing during Saturday’s Violet Festival parade.
Organizers said the theme — “Swinging to the 50s” — was chosen because Lyndon Lyon hybridized the first double-pink violet in that decade. The theme became the inspiration for floats and outfits for those walking in the parade, with one float capturing the look of the jukebox era and others wearing poodle skirts and scarves tied around the neck.
The Violet Festival kicked off on Friday, with opening ceremonies and a princess pageant, and continued on Saturday with the parade in the morning and fireworks scheduled for the evening. Sunday included a 5K Run and Walk. The whole weekend was full of activities throughout the villagel.
Once the parade got started, some of the children could not contain their excitement with shouts of “they’re coming!” as the drumbeats gradually got louder.
Grand Marshall Louis Dunderdale, dressed in a white suit and hat, with a violet-colored sash and a trim of violet flowers on his hat, marched behind the banner that read, “The Violet Festival: Blooming Again in Dolgeville.”
Other dignitaries in the parade were U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna, state Assemblyman Marc Butler, Violet Festival King and Queen Don and Erma Hoffman and Chris Johnson, this year’s recipient of the Lyndon Lyon Community Award. Mayor Bruce Lyon and members of the village board rode along in the parade and were among the many that tossed out candy to eager children. Some also passed out beads, and the Dolgeville Teachers Association handed out pencils.
School marching bands played some newer tunes for people’s entertainment, including Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face,” Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and a medley of songs by 11980s rock band Journey.
Also in the parade were members of the Dolgeville Football Hall of Fame, members of the school’s class of 1961 and Little League and Babe Ruth baseball players. Pageant winners waved from the top of floats, including the Herkimer County Dairy court, the Herkimer County Fair court, the Maple Syrup Association princess and festival pageant winners.
For some of those in attendance, it was about family and tradition.
“We come every year. We live here,” said Christine Daley.
“It’s a tradition. We’ve come as long as they’ve had it,” said Heather Souza, of St. Johnsville. Souza said “watching the kids” enjoy themselves is among the highlights for her at the parade.
Mark Armstrong, of Dolgeville, said he also comes every year. “It’s a lot of fun. You see a lot of people,” he said. “I like watching the school bands, and seeing my son on the Little League float.”
“It went great as soon as the weather cooperated,” said Jackie Rachon, chairperson of the parade, alluding to the overcast skies. She said they had a good turnout among participants, which was about 90 percent.
The Waterville High School band won the school marching band competition, with Dolgeville placing second and West Canada Valley third. The winner among other marching bands were the Central New York Police and Fire Band, who placed first, the Mohawk Valley Frasers who were second and the Ziyara Shriners, who placed third.
For the float competition, the Little Falls Hospital - Basset Healthcare Network was first, Green Acres was second and third place went to GPO Credit Union. Best looking was the Hilltop Fire Auxiliary from Oppenheim and the judge’s choice went to the Stratford Senior Citizens.
There was plenty for visitors to check out at Harold R. Plowe Park during and after the parade, including food and craft vendor tents.
