Uncle Sam Parade Activities

The Uncle Sam Parade Committee kicked of its 35th Anniversary year with a “Murder Mystery Dinner” fund-raiser. Over 100 people packed the Plesantdale Fire Hall the evening of April 10 to participate in a program titled “The Meatpacker Slaughter.” Attendees worked as a team to interview the characters that were involved in the murder of Samuel Wilson’s fictional grandson. The actors are members of a local non-profit theatre group which donates their time to help community organizations, such as the Uncle Sam Parade, raise money. They scripted and acted out the entire program while wearing period costumes to add to the authenticity. Actually, now that I think about it they agreed to “work for food.” For the dinner portion of the event the Parade Committee volunteers prepared a hot turkey dinner with all the trimmings. It was like Thanksgiving in April and the desserts were divine! But the participants couldn’t allow themselves to get too wrapped up into the meal because there was a case to crack! In the end the murder was solved and every in attendance had an outstanding time. With the feedback and reviews we received, there definitely will be future Mystery Dinner’s.

Rockin' Evening in Knickerbocker

As I previously wrote this is a banner year for the Uncle Sam Parade. A major announcement will be coming in the following weeks regarding a world renowned act that will be headlining the post-parade celebration at Knickerbocker Park. This act is comprised of three individuals who fronted three influential bands during the 60’s and 70’s. One of which is a recent inductee of the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame. Stay tuned...

Miss Uncle Sam Pagent

REMINDER: Alta Reynolds, director of the Uncle Sam Pageant, is now accepting applications from young ladies from Rensselaer County. The pageant will be held on Saturday, August 21, 10:00am, and conducted in St. Augustine's Hall located on the corner of 114th Street and 4th Avenue in Lansingburgh.

The young ladies will compete in five age categories for the honor of being selected the top of their age group. The categories are: Little Miss age 4-6; Young Miss age 7-9; Pre-Teen age 10-12; Teen Miss age 13-15; and Miss Uncle Sam age 16-18. In addition to the winner of each category, two runner-ups will be recognized as well.

Please note that to be a contestant each young lady must be a resident of Rensselaer County, never been married, and never had a child or pregnant at the time of the pageant or while serving as a member of the Miss Uncle Sam Court. The last two qualifications at first may seem absurd but there are specific reasons we mention them.

The categories include competitions based on poise, personality, and appearance. An optional Miss Photogenic category is judged on photos submitted by the contestants. Each contestant will receive a trophy for participating. While the winners will also receive crowns, banners, and trophies, and the runner-ups will receive special trophies.

Miss Uncle Sam and her court have the opportunity to serve as goodwill ambassadors throughout the year by attending parades, charity and community events, and working with children.

For brochures and more information please write to: Uncle Sam Pageant, Alta Reynolds, 8 Bank Street, Troy, NY 12180 or call Alta at 274-7294. Don't miss out on being named to the Miss Uncle Sam Court during this milestone 35th Anniversary Year!