Elmont Shines at Belmont Parade

The annual Belmont “Elmont” Day Parade attracted hundreds up and down Hempstead Turnpike this past Saturday as the official kick-off to Summer and Belmont Race Track! Bands, Schools, Veterans, athletic teams, civic associations and community leaders marched from the Elmont Memorial Public Library to Belmont Race Track in what local officials have called the largest parade in local memory. The Grand Marshalls of the parade were the Homecoming Kings and Queens of Elmont Memorial and Sewanhaka High Schools.

“This is a great day for the Elmont community and the participation of the community is truly sensational,” said Senator Jack M. Martins. "The bands were terrific and I am very proud of all the children who marched with their schools. They are Elmont’s leaders of tomorrow. Today is about Belmont and Elmont!”

Local dignitaries marched in the parade to show support for the Elmont community and Belmont Park Race Track. State Senator Jack Martins, Legislator John Ciotti, Councilman Ed Ambrosino, Assemblyman Edward Ra, Elmont Coalition Chair Sandra Smith, Elmont Fire Commissioner Ralph Esposito, NYRA President Charles Heyward, former Jockey Richard Migliore, the official Belmont Trumpeteer, Supt Warren Meierdiercks, Elmont Memorial High School Principal John Capozzi, Elmont Supt. Al Harper, Elmont Community Liaison Norma DeBartolo, CCC President Joyce Stowe, Jamaica Square Improvement League President Claudine Hall, Elmont East End Civic President Patrick Nicolosi, GYO Director Pat Boyle and Elmont Chamber of Commerce Members Paul Sapienza, John Tudisco and Muzzio Tallini participated and marched in the parade.

Legislator John Ciotti noted, “each year this parade gets better and better. Seeing everybody come together for this event is truly special. It’s a time where we celebrate community. For me, I loved the posters that the children from Gotham Avenue School created and marched with!”

Councilman Ed Ambrosino added, “the Belmont-Elmont Day Parade is one of the great events we have in Elmont. It brings everybody together for a day of fun, friendship and celebration of community.”

Assemblyman Edward Ra said, “The turnout from the community demonstrated once again the pride this community takes in Belmont and our community. I especially enjoyed the wonderful signs and banners displayed by young children along the parade route. It truly was a special day for the Elmont community.”

The Elmont School District had hundreds of children marching by school led by the Elmont Elementary Marching Band. The Elmont and Sewanhaka High School marching bands entertained the crowd up and down the route. The Elmont American Legion, Elmont Fire Department, GYO, Church groups and athletic leagues marched the parade route. The Elmont North and South GOP Club and Civic Associations like Elmont East End Civic, Jamaica Square, Argo Civic, Parkhurst and community groups also participated in the parade.

At the conclusion of the parade, a ceremony was held inside Belmont. It opened with former Sewanhaka High School student Billy Rothwell singing the Star Spangle Banner. Elmont Chamber of Commerce Member Paul Sapienza served as Master of Ceremonies. The keys of Elmont were presented to the Grand Marshalls. Senator Martins, Legislator John Ciotti, Councilman Ed Ambrosino and Assemblyman Edward Ra gave remarks during the program.