Rye Celebrates 53rd Annual Little League Parade

Hundreds of spectators gathered in Rye Saturday to help the city commemorate a half century-old tradition—the 53rd Annual Rye Little League Parade.

"It signifies that it's the opening of Little League season. It's a tradition," said Bart DiNardo, Rye Little League's past president and a current board member.

The parade consisted of at least a 1,000 marchers. Rye Little League President Myles Lavelle said the event helps to bring the whole community together. 

"It's a great day for all families in Rye to come out to support the league," he said. "It's a great event for the families and the town."

Attendees assembled at Rye Train Station Plaza around 11:30 a.m. By noon, participants started marching along Purchase Street and headed to Milton Road, crossing Playland Parkway through the cemetery and then proceeding into Disbrow Park's Grainger Field.

Marchers included members of the Rye City Council and Board of Education, Rye Teacher's Association, the Little League Color Guard, Rye High School Drum Corps and the Rye Fire and Police departments. The New York Police Department Pipes and Drums, Port Chester, Rye, and Rye Brook Emergency Medical Services, Rye Recreation, and sponsors and players from the 24 Rye Little League and 23 Rye softball teams also participated in the parade.

Between 450-500 children participate in Rye Little League and 200 are registered for Rye softball, for a total of about 700 participants.

Parade attendee and Reds' Little League player Simon Chait expressed his love for America's favorite pastime.

"It's a fun sport and pretty interesting because you get to hit and to run," he said.

One of Chait's coaches has even taken notice.

"He's a veteran," team manager Bob Fox said with a smile.

The parade culminated in the Opening Day Ceremony at Grainger Field, with loud cheers coming from teams and fans who sat in the bleachers.

Rye High School's Accapella Group Rhythm on Rye sang the National Anthem. Rye Mayor Doug French threw the ceremonial first pitch, while his son, Max, played catcher in what was the start of his last season in Little League.

At the close of the opening ceremony, Lavelle officially got the Little League season underway.

"Let's have a great season and let's play ball," he said as the crowd erupted in cheers and applause.

The season officially began with two games at 1:30 p.m. followed by two other games at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

The first Rye Little League Parade was held in 1957 to jumpstart the beginning of baseball season.

Since then, the event has continued to grow with the help of Rye businesses and the community as a whole.

"Each year we get more support," Lavelle said.

Lavelle marched in the parade himself from 1975 to 1981.

Mayor French credited Rye community organizations such as the Rye Recreation department, Police department, and Department of Public Works, who all worked together to make sure the event went smoothly.

"It's just an emphasis that we really have a super community," French said.

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