The Catskill Chronicle

Bud’s Giant Brook Trout in the 2009 Trout Parade. –  Above -Carol Montana photo, Below Kath Lambert photo.

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY – The 7^th annual Trout Parade, Sullivan County’s own version of Mardi Gras, is scheduled for Saturday, June 12 in Livingston Manor, rain or shine. Attendees can expect to find lots of fishy fun along Main Street from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. including an arts and crafts fair, specialty foods from local vendors and children’s activities, as well as discounts and special offers from participating merchants.

The Trout Parade will step-off promptly at 1:00 p.m., led by Grand Marshall Austin “Mac” Francis, author of “Land of Little Rivers,” and Town Supervisor Edward Weitmann, the day’s honorary Sturgeon General.

The Catskill Art Society is producing this year’s Trout Parade in partnership with the Livingston Manor Chamber of Commerce, and with support from businesses and individuals from around the community. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Livingston Manor Central School’s Art and Music Programs.

Look for pre-parade entertainment to include Stilt walking by Tannis Kowalchuk of NACL (North American Cultural Laboratory), fiddlers from Catskill Puppet Theatre, Karen Hudson of Karen Hudson River Band and face painting by Miss Sunshine. Come early to secure parking and a prime viewing spot along Main Street.

To date, confirmed parade participants include: Bud’s Giant Brook Trout, Catskill Art Society, Catskill Mountainkeeper, Catskill Puppet Theatre, Cornerstone Community Church, Hamish & Henry Booksellers’ Wonky Tonk Book Club, The Janice Center, Jeff Bank, Johnny Darling puppet, Karen Hudson of Karen Hudson River Band, Kate Hyden and Valerie Beaman, Livingston Manor Girl Scouts, Livingston Manor Free Library’s 3 Apples Book Club, Mid-Atlantic Basset Hound Rescue, MountainTones Community Band and the Rain Barrel Connection Project.

Immediately following the parade, 30 painted rain barrels – created by students representing the Tri-Valley Natural Resources Program, BOCES Career & Tech Auto Body students and art students from Liberty Central School – will be auctioned in Renaissance Park. The money raised will be donated to student scholarships. The Libertyk12.org website will now link you to the Rain Barrel Project where you can find pictures of each barrel , bid procedure, press releases and more. Please take a look!

Look for green and yellow balloons to find special offers at participating merchants: Chinatown Kitchen, Flour Power Bakery, Fur Fin and Feather, Hamish & Henry Booksellers, Hot Corner Sports Collectibles, The Lazy Beagle Pub & Grill, Madison’s Main Street Stand, Manor Dollar, Morgan Outdoors, Peck’s Market, The Plunk Shop, Pronto Pizza, Sunoco Gas Station, Wildlife Gift Shop, and Willow and Brown.

To view photos or to purchase prints from last year’s Trout Parade visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.