Bring in Summer With Family

The Heritage Fesitval in Massena, NY brings fun, sun, and family.

Story and Photos by Amanda DeLosh

Summer time is rolling just around the corner and the bright sunshine is trying to peak through the clouds. Birds are chirping, and people are longing for that warm summer breeze to blow through their hair. With the school year starting to fade away for children, and work seeming to go on for others, Massena, NY has something that can be tastefully fun for families looking for a jump-start to their summer.

The 30th annual Heritage Festival will take place on June 6, 2009. “The festival includes vendors, face painting, dance performances, food booths, and band performances,”says the office manager of the Massena Chamber of Commerce, Barbara Pichette.

The Heritage Parade begins the festival, and is one where the Massena Community comes together to celebrate not only fun times but also the town as a whole.

“I just want to support the community and have the kids look and perform to the best of their abilities so they get a fruitful, musically educational experience they will long remember”

On the morning of the parade, the town is quiet, the grass has a coating of summer dew sprinkled lightly over the top, and townspeople make their way to the streets of downtown Massena to get the perfect viewing spot.

“It is a really early parade so the vendors in the arena can open at a decent hour,” says Massena High School band director, Jonathan Hunkins. “(The) town is pretty quiet at that hour, but it’s usually a nice day and peaceful.”

Hunkins began his journey with the band in 1999. “It was part of my job description (marching) when I arrived here as ‘something that should be done’. ” He continues to say, “I agreed so we attend every year to show support for the community.”

The MCHS Marching band brings music and fun to the streets with their red, white, and blue uniforms, accompanied by white cowboy hats that help block the sun on this usually warm day.

“The parade route is a bit shorter than normal routes and it’s all local community groups that make up the units,” says Hunkins.

“The arena was packed with a variety of people…young to old,” says Short.

Little kids can be seen standing on the side of the street, jumping up and down with each passing float, waiting for candy to be thrown to relieve their sweet tooth.

While the parade marches through town, representatives of local businesses fill the local arena, setting up booths and awaiting the crowds of people.

All of this fun would not happen if it were not for the Massena Chamber of Commerce. Pichette says, “The Chamber of Commerce is responsible for all aspects of the Heritage Festival, which includes a parade, and vendor booths at the Massena Arena.”

The festival brings in new, young, and old faces every year. It is a great place to enjoy being with family.

Leah Short, who has attended the Heritage Festival the past several years, spent her time working a booth that helped with her synchronized skating team, the Ice Illusions.

“The arena was packed with a variety of people…young to old,” says Short. “Little kids were running around with cotton candy and wanting to ride the cheesy rides outside,” she continues.

When walking in, the smell of fried bread dough, hot dogs and hamburgers, along with the sounds of laughter and music fill the air. It is a place to socialize, see those who have been away for too long and catch up.

“The Chamber of Commerce is responsible for all aspects of the Heritage Festival, which includes a parade, and vendor booths at the Massena Arena.”

“We made the fried dough, and there were a lot of people who like fried dough,” Short says while giggling softly. She continues saying, “While we worked in our little corner a band played and there were dancers dancing.”

Short adds, “There were tables set up everywhere with random crafts-quilts and jewelry.”

The Heritage Festival shows the community coming together. Hunkins says in regards to the parade, and what he enjoys most is, “It is solely made up of Massena organizations." He continues saying one of the best things about this parade is, "the community support they show our marching band.”

“I just want to support the community and have the kids look and perform to the best of their abilities so they get a fruitful, musically educational experience they will long remember,” says Hunkins.

Will you be attending the Massena Heritage Festival?