2010 Holiday Parade Grand Marshal Announced

Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company, the sponsor of the 31st Annual Holiday Parade to be held in South Glens Falls, has announced that Dante “Dan” Orsini, Honored Marine Veteran and 60-year member and past Commandant of the Marine Corps League, Memorial Detachment No. 2, will be the Grand Marshal for the Holiday Parade.

Dante stated, “I am delighted to be the Grand Marshal for this annual family tradition.” Orsini grew up in South Glens Falls and is dedicated to family, community and country through his affiliations and activities. He played a variety of local sports during the late 1930s while attending South High after graduating from St. Mary’s Academy in Glens Falls. As a part of his duties with the U.S. Marine Corps, he was a member of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s White House Honor Guard where he had an opportunity to meet many notable people such as British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter, Chinese President Chaing Kai Shek, and entertainer Mickey Rooney. Since his separation from active duty, Dante continues his commitment to the community through memberships with the Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, St. Michael’s Church, the Marine Corps League and the American Legion. He is a past South Glens Falls deputy mayor and village board member and is retired from the Scott Paper Company.

Dante has served in numerous roles of each of his affiliations and been recognized through awards and commendations by presidents, legislation, the Navy and Marine Corps Asiatic and Pacific Meritorious Unit, and the South Glens Falls Rotary Club. Earlier this year, Orsini was honored on his 90th birthday by family, friends and the community with a week-end long celebration of his achievements.

Glenn Ellsworth, a Glens Falls National Bank Vice President, South Glens Falls Office Manager and Parade Committee Chairperson stated, “We are excited to have such a wonderful community representative with Dante “Dan” Orsini as the Grand Marshal especially with this year’s Parade Theme - A Child’s Holiday Wish.”

Maintaining the tradition of the Sunday before Thanksgiving, the parade will begin at 1 p.m. on November 21, 2010 and follow the same route as it has in years past along Route 9 through the village of South Glens Falls. The parade will showcase community groups, bands, floats, costumed characters and conclude with a special guest, Santa Claus.

Beneficiaries for this year’s parade are Memorial Detachment No. 2 of the Marine Corps League Toys for Tots and the Tri-County United Way “Live United” Program. These two beneficiary groups will provide donations of new toys and non-perishable food items for local families in the Warren, Washington and northern Saratoga Counties.

Parade participants and spectators are being asked to bring a new unwrapped toy to donate for Toys for Tots and a non-perishable food item for the Tri-County United Way Live United Program. The toys and non-perishable food will be collected in the days prior to the parade at any Glens Falls National Bank Office and Capital Financial Group, Inc. Office, located at 89 Saratoga Avenue and on the day of the parade donations may be made at the South Glens Falls Office of Glens Falls National Bank and along the parade route.

Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Company, along with the Village of South Glens Falls, is still accepting applications for floats, marchers, and entertainment for this important community event. Through the years, the parade has attracted over 20,000 spectators annually and has been enjoyed by all ages.

Gail Hamel, of Hamel Resources LLC, is working with Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Company as the parade coordinator. For information about the parade or entry, log on to www.hamelresources.com or contact Gail Hamel at 518-824-8383.