VOORHEESVILLE — The coronavirus pandemic has caused the cancellation of Voorheesville’s Memorial Day Parade for the second straight year.
“It’s just a lot of chance to take ...,” said Wendall Thayer, the first vice commander of the Voorheesville American Legion Post 1493, “It would be awful if somebody caught something because we had the parade.”

Albany County officials this week have expressed concern that, while vaccination continues apace, the COVID-19 infection rate, which had dropped steeply from a post-holiday high, has now plateaued and even seen slight increases.

The decision to cancel the parade was made this early, Thayer said, because the legion had to start applying for different permits for the parade. Additionally, he said, he spoke to the Voorheesville Volunteer Fire Department, and was told the department has no plans to hold any events. 

But the legion still plans to go out in the weeks before Memorial Day and place flags on the graves of veterans in the area, Thayer said, and also anticipates having a “small group” from the legion holding a ceremony at the monument in Hotaling Park. 

Every other year prior to this year and last, the mile-and-a-half parade wended its way through the village, Thayer said, starting at Hannaford; down Maple Avenue; left onto Stonington Hill Road; right at Mountainview; arriving at Voorheesville Elementary, where kindergarteners join the parade; back down Maple Avenue; left on Voorheesville Avenue — where the dedication ceremony was held at Hotaling Park; and onto the legion, where the parade disbanded.

The parade had long served as a centerpiece for a community celebration that included speeches, foot races, picnics, and fireworks.