Looks like we’ve got a picture perfect summer day to accompany our Water Field Day. Activities will take place in the park next to the library and will begin at 3pm.  The fun continues on Thursday, when we will learn What’s the Weather?

From our friends and partners at the Waterford Historical Museum comes this reminder that this weekend marks the return of the Annual Waterford Heritage Day festivities.

The Annual Waterford Heritage Day celebrations will take place on Saturday, July 24, at Garrett Field, located in Waterford, New York.

Waterford Heritage Day is an event celebrating our regions rich firefighting heritage as well as the historic Button Fire Engine Company which manufactured hand and steam powered engines from the 1830’s to 1890’s in Waterford, New York.  Waterford is located at the cross-roads of the once bustling Erie and Champlain Canals, where canal boats were used to ship Button fire engines to their locations throughout the United States.

To kick-off the 9^th annual Waterford Heritage Day, on Friday, July 23 at the Waterford Harbor Visitor Center, the Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center, The Village of Waterford and the Waterford Village Library will co-produce the annual Concert Under the Stars, a FREE Concert performed by The Johnny Rabb Trio. The evening will also include a barbeque at 6:00 PM and end with a fireworks display, at 9:00 PM. (Rain location will be the Waterford Civic Center on Third Street)

On Saturday, July 24, Waterford Heritage Day events start at 10:00 AM with a parade of marching bands and, antique and modern fire engines from around the Northeast as they proceed through the Village of Waterford to Garrett Field on Burton Ave.  After opening ceremonies a Button hand fire engine will perform a traditional “Wet Down” to celebrate Waterford’s Ford Hose Fire Company’s new engine!

Teams from throughout New England and New York will compete in an old fashioned firemen’s competition or “muster”, a competition where teams hand-pump their antique, restored fire engines to see who can throw water the furthest.  Come watch – or even join in – as fire teams muster.  Community participation is welcomed and all Capital Region fire companies are encouraged to join in the competition by sending representatives to help pump the engines. After the muster watch as Ford Hose’s new engine takes on an antique engine to see who can through water the furthest.

Throughout the day visitors can view, and even vote for their favorite antique and modern fire engines, on display throughout Garret Field.  Enjoy the craft fair and food vendors, while the kids bounce in the bouncy-house and much more!

“We are all proud of Waterford’s rich history,” says Steve Delarge, President and CEO, Silicones Americas, Momentive Performance Materials Inc., a primary community sponsor for Heritage Day.  “It’s important to look back at the community’s many accomplishments and share our heritage with each generation.  Waterford is a vibrant community; from being the birthplace of the World Famous Button Fire Engine Company to the many diverse businesses that contribute to our local economy today.  Momentive Performance Materials is delighted to serve as a sponsor of this wonderful Waterford tradition.”  DeLarge, along with his wife Roxanne, will be the Honorary Grand Marshall of the Heritage Day Parade.

We are mere days away from one of the best reasons to live in our beautiful corner of the world. The 142nd Season at Saratoga kicks off Friday July 23rd. Before you make your plans to visit the track, stop by the library to check the Racing Form, explore the many books on horses and Saratoga in our collection, including a few on handicapping like the pros! We will have the Pink Sheet available each day too! Just another reason to keep the library on your perpetual “to-visit” list!

We have added a new page to the blog that offers a wealth of links to info and resources on computer and internet security.  Many thanks to former Library Trustee, Christine Connell for making these available.

Once again we have several programs and activities planned in conjunction with the Summer Reading Program. Tomorrow, July 13th, we welcome gamers to try their skills at Buzz Jr. Wednesday July 14th will feature another Open Craft session, and Thursday July 15th will bring, Look, Listen & Touch! Most programs require advance registration and details can be found on our Calendar page.

If you are looking for an easy, free way to beat the heat wave, how about a movie? The library will be showing “A Shark’s Tale” on Thursday July 8th at 3pm.  Popcorn & Juice will be served. Children 5 & up are welcome with parent or guardian. Large groups are requested to register by calling 237-0891. And don’t forget to check our calendar for more summer reading program activities!

The library will be closed Saturday July 3rd & Sunday July 4th in observance of the Independence Day Holiday. We will be OPEN on Monday July 5th for regular business hours. Below is a small reminder of how we got here! Happy 4th of July to all!

Beginning July 1st and continuing until after Labor Day Weekend, the library will adjust its hours slightly. Saturdays we will be open from 9am-1pm, instead of 3pm and we will be closed on Sundays. Otherwise the weekday hours will remain the same.

Also please keep in mind that the library will be closed July 3 & 4th for the Independence Day holiday. We will be open Monday July 5th for regular hours.

The library is honored to display two paintings by noted local artist Robert Moylan.  So we are excited to learn that he will be part of a new exhibition of landscapes which opens tomorrow June 25th. Complete information can be found here. Thanks to our friends at Nippertown for the heads up!

Beginning Monday June 28th after 3pm, the library will once again welcome young readers to our Summer Reading Program. Sign-ups will take place either in the library or via the new online page. Check the Calendar page of the website for info on upcoming programs and activities. Paper copies of the calendar are available at the library. For additional info please call the library to speak to Liz or Marsha.