Arthur Manor Neighborhood Association Celebrates 91st Fourth of July

The Arthur Manor Neighborhood Association held its 91st Annual 4th of July parade and picnic in Davis Park on a beautiful and slightly muggy Thursday morning, July 4th.

The various marchers began gathering at the corner of Bell and Sprague Roads at 9:15 am on Thursday morning with the numerous musicians from the Westchester Band, led by Jill Weiss. During the rallying of the parade goers, the judges ranked the individual and group marchers in categories such as most scooters, most patriotic costumer, tricycles and strollers and floats.

At 9:45 am sharp, a special Scarsdale Police Department motorcycle escort accompanied the Scarsdale Volunteer Fire Company Number 1 and the Westchester County Band from Bell and Sprague Roads and proceeded through Arthur Manor to Davis Park. Michael Keating drove his vintage Scarsdale fire truck in the parade, making the day all the more memorable.

The parade ended at Davis Park where the traditional 4th of July ceremony was held before the flag pole at the North end of the park.

The ceremony began with the raising of the flag by the Scarsdale Volunteer Fire Company No. 1’s color guard and accompanied by the trumpet playing of Dr. Jack Binder of the Westchester Band. Scarsdale Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 celebrated its 126th year in 2019.

Arthur Manor resident Richard Gast then perfectly sang the National Anthem which was followed by the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. The crowd then observed a moment of silence to remember all of the men and women who sacrificed so much for liberty and democracy in the United States and abroad.

Jonathan Lewis, Trustee of Scarsdale, then addressed the crowd gathered in Davis Park on the importance of July 4th and the relevance of this special day for all residents. Village Trustee Jane Veron and former Trustee and member of Scarsdale Volunteer Fire Department Number 1, Matt Callaghan, were also in attendance together with Arthur Manor’s own Uncle Sam (played magnificently, as always, by Teegan Lee).

The crowd then observed a moment of silence in memory of long time Arthur Manor resident and active member of Scarsdale Volunteer Fire Department Number 1, Manny Caras. Manny was a constant presence at all of the Arthur Manor 4th of July parades and picnics and many other community events and he will be truly missed.

Former Arthur Manor President Al Stuart then conducted the awards ceremony for the day’s marchers and other parade participants in the various categories such as floats, bicycles, tricycles, etc.. (A complete list of the winners follows below).

The Arthur Manor Neighborhood Association’s July 4th parade and picnic was sponsored by Scarsdale Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 and Heather Harrison of Compass Realty.

At the conclusion of the 4th of July ceremony, the crowd then walked to the other end of Davis Park for the annual field events including the three-legged race, potato sack, wheel-barrow, relay and Arthur Manor’s favorite, the annual favorite “egg toss” - first appearing at Arthur Manor’s July 4th picnic in 1944! This year the games were again expertly conducted by Sam Bryant and his daughter, Olivia. (A list of the winning field event participants also follows below).

There was a three-way tie for this year’s egg toss with the three winning teams including Tommy and Charles Chesnut (Team 1), Shane and James Kelly (Team 2) and Olivia and Sam Bryant (Team 3). Congratulations all those who participated in the 2019 egg toss event!

Hosting the event was Arthur Manor Neighborhood Association President, Matt Martin.

This annual event in Arthur Manor is only made possible through the collective efforts of the Arthur Manor volunteer residents including the Marcus, Roche, Porco, Bonanno, Bongiorno and Stuart families, and all of the other Arthur Manor volunteers too numerous to list here.

A special thanks also to Eileen Donovan and her Scarsdale Lion’s Heart chapter especially Esha Mehta, Anish Mehta, Danielle Eforo, Clara Weller and Raymond Donovan. These young neighbors and members of our Scarsdale citizenry highlight what is best in our youngest residents – a commitment to putting service into action to help our community.

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