Uncle Sam cuts a tall figure

July 4, 2008

The rousing traditions that, early on, turned July 4 into America’s greatest national holiday, still flourish in this year’s grand celebration of Independence Day at Genesee Country Village & Museum.

Parade and pomp, music and merriment, cannons, games and food galore are all part of the day’s July 4 festivities, highlighted by the swearing in of new American citizens.

The Honorable Judge Michael A. Telesca will conduct the official United States naturalization ceremony at 11 a.m. on the steps of the historic village’s Town Hall.

This year visitors may purchase a patriotic picnic at the Restaurant Pavilion, or they may bring their own.

Other 19th-century-inspired activities include:

• A parade through the museum’s restored 19th-century village with bands War of 1812 and Civil War re-enactors, 19th-century base ball players, horse-drawn carriages, Uncle Sam on stilts and the traditional Whig Ball—a political campaign gimmick of the Whig Party in 1840.

Whig Ball

• An authentic Independence Day patriotic ceremony with a reading of the Declaration of Independence and the13 traditional toasts to 13 maidens in white dress, representing the 13 original states.

• Concerts of patriotic music.

Download the day's schedule.