Dover Day honors veterans

DOVER PLAINS — The town of Dover was in high spirits last Saturday, Sept. 22, as local families gathered for this year’s celebration of Dover Day at Boyce Park, located at 6423 Route 55 in Wingdale, N.Y.

The celebration’s festivities kicked off at 12:30 p.m. with a parade in front of the park, though the excitement started long before noon with cars filling up the parking lot. Traffic was directed to make way for for incoming spectators while families stood along the road in anticipation of the vehicles headed their way.

Led by a car from the New York State Police K-9 Unit, the parade featured members of the local American Legion Post and Veterans of Foreign Wars in uniform, vintage cars, fire trucks, tractors and even a car decorated as a shark. While the children from the Golden Goose Preschool rode in a cart behind the shark car, children and staff members from the Dover Day Care marched in the parade with inflatable aquatic animals in hand and umbrellas decorated to resemble jellyfish. Behind the Dover Day Care students, girls from the Silver Starlites baton twirling program performed a well-timed sequence of steps. A truck from Froggy’s Play Place carted children and adults dressed as “Toy Story” characters while the town’s local cheerleading, Girl Scouts and martial arts programs marched down the street, calling out their group titles for bystanders to hear.

With a New York State Trooper car at the tail end of the parade, families entered the park for the opening ceremony near the pavilion. After welcoming everyone to Dover Day, Dover town Supervisor Linda French invited spectators to face the American flag for the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a performance of the National Anthem by Alexis Barto.

Celebrating this year as “the year of the veteran,” French called for a moment of silence to honor all veterans that are currently serving their country as well as the veterans that previously served to help secure their country’s freedom. She read aloud from a letter from Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro that recognized 2018 as the Year of the Veteran and thanked the town’s highway and recreation departments for its contributions in putting Dover Day together.

With the Boyce Park grounds revamped for the occasion, spectators took their time in browsing all the vendor tables and activities available throughout the afternoon. After purchasing ride bracelets for $10 each, they embraced their inner child as they stepped up to the celebration’s carnival rides. 

Underneath a large white tent, a variety of local businesses and nonprofits showcased their services at their informationbooths, while vendors displayed their merchandise around the park. 

The celebration came to an end on a high note as families stuck around for the evening fireworks.