Memorial Day Parades, Canoes, Flowers and Arts in Southern Tier

Residents will be taking time to pay homage to members of the armed forces who have died defending the United States during Memorial Day Parades in municipalities all around the region.

For example, Johnson City’s parade is starting at 10 a.m. May 27 near Saint James Church proceeding to Veterans’ Park.

Binghamton: The annual Memorial Day City Parade will being at 2 p.m. Monday. Starting at the American Legion Post 80, 76 Main st. and continue down Main St. to Court St., and then on to the Broome County Courthouse where a ceremony will take place.

Town of Binghamton; A Parade will be held Monday morning at 10 a.m. starting at the fire station in Hawleyton.

Endicott: The Memorial Day Parade will get underway at 10:30 in the morning, and proceed down Washington Ave to the Veteran’s Memorial Park on Main St. across from the High School. A service will held there at 11 a.m.

Owego: The Memorial Day Parade starts at 10:30 at the Owego Police Station on Temple St and proceeds down North Ave, to Main Street, and then on to Front St. A Service of Remembrance will follow at the Tioga County Veteran’s Memorial in front of the Courthouse.

Oxford: The town of Oxford has several ceremonies being held on Memorial day including a parade that will start at 9:30 a.m. at the Oxford American Legion Post on South Washington Ave.

Parades will also be held in Maine at 9 a.m., Afton and Greene at 10 a.m. And Whitney Point at 11.

Another big event Memorial Day Weekend is in Bainbridge and is expected to draw thousands over the four-day run.  The annual General Clinton Canoe Rigatta, that caps off with the signature race from Cooperstown to Bainbridge on Monday, starts May 24 with carnival rides, games, entertainment and paddling events surrounding General Clinton Park.

(You can read more about the events in Bainbridge this weekend in an article by Jim Free at 991thewhale.com. )

Also this weekend, Johnson City Rotary is presenting the 2^nd annual Tree Peony Festival Sunday, May 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Jennison Park on Willow Street near the Shore Family Firehouse Stage and the new Binghamton University Pharmacy School.

The festival celebrates nature and the arts in the community with tree peonies in the park and tree peonies for sale along with art and performances.  Parking is free at the BU Pharmacy School on Willow Street.

Of course, many families celebrate Memorial Day weekend as the 'unofficial start of summer' with gatherings and travel.

Police agencies in New York and Pennsylvania are ramping up safety patrols looking for drunk, dangerous, drowsey and distracted drivers as well as people not wearing seat belts with the 'Click it or Ticket' initiative.

Motorists should also be aware of construction zones.  While active work on the roadways may be suspended for the holidays, the reduced speed limits and lane restrictions are still in effect and must be obeyed.