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.

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!

The library is pleased to once again be able to sponsor a Waterford Youth Baseball team this spring.  We got a young squad this year, but we’re hearing good things about their progress on the diamond. And win or lose we look forward to welcoming them here to the library for a celebration of their season on June 11th. Next game is Tuesday May 25th!

Once again the Waterford Historical Museum is holding it’s very popular Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser on Sunday April 25th.  All details can be found at their website. They have some wonderful exhibits planned for this year,  so your support is vital.

Will be your rallying cry after attending Kerry Mendez’s program here tomorrow beginning at Noon. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Kerry is the owner of Perennially Yours, a local garden design firm. Kerry’s presentations are always informative and entertaining. We anticipate a capacity crowd, so please plan accordingly.

Our friends at the Waterford Historical Museum & Cultural Center have just posted their latest newsletter,  full of info on the latest doings at the Museum.

From our colleagues at the Waterford Half-moon School comes word that there will be a Potluck Dinner for Waterford Seniors on Wednesday January 20th, from 5:00-7:30pm. In addition to a wide variety of entree, dessert and beverage choices, the High School Jazz Ensemble and High School Chorus will provide entertainment following the meal. All of this is being provided free of charge.

The Friends of the Waterford Library have been recognized by the Empire Friends Roundtable in the category of Friends groups of 300 or fewer members. In recognition of their accomplishments, they will receive a $100 grant and be featured in the upcoming Empire Friends Newsletter. Congratulations to our Friends Group, who despite being small in membership have succeeded in raising both funds and awareness for the library.

Beginning tomorrow and continuing until December 14th, the library will be accepting new and unwrapped toys in lieu of overdue fines on a one to one basis. Only overdue fines are eligible, all other fines and fees must be paid in full. All toys donated will be given to the Peck Hose Fire Department Toy Drive.  Please contact the library at 237-0891 for additional information.

From our friends at the Waterford Historical Museum comes a reminder that they will once again be leading haunted walking tours of the Waterford Rural Cemetery tonight Friday Oct. 30th. Tours will commence at 6:30pm, with the last one departing at 8:45pm.  The Cemetery is located on Saratoga Ave/Rt. 32 in Waterford and all tours will line up at the Cemetery office.

Also don’t forget to check out the new Museum blog!