June 8 – WATERTOWN – Washington Street was packed with people Friday evening celebrating all things dairy for the annual Jefferson County Dairy Parade.
There were a total of 65 entries for the parade, Jay Matteson, Jefferson County agriculture coordinator and deputy CEO of Jefferson County Economic Development, said earlier this week.
The parade started with first responders from the Watertown Police Department, City of Watertown Fire Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
It also ended with first responders from the Philadelphia and Rodman fire departments.
During the parade, people could also enjoy free dairy products, including ice cream and milk.
Parade-goer Tom Misercola of Watertown said he was most looking forward to seeing his grandson in the Belleville-Henderson Central School District marching band.
“We haven’t missed a parade with him yet,” he said.
Misercola said he wouldn’t miss this parade for anything, even if the rain continued.
“It’s nice to finally see some people outside, you know, because the world is kind of crazy, so this is a good chance for everyone to go out and enjoy the evening,” he said.
He said he was also looking forward to seeing the tractors coming down the road.
Lois Herman of the Watertown area was at the parade to see her granddaughter, Katherine Rastley, as the 2024 Dairy Ambassador for Jefferson County.
She said she is very proud of her granddaughter and that she has a lot of work to do.
“Some people are not aware of the dairy industry in Jefferson County and she herself is very interested in it,” she said.
Herman said she comes every year, but admits this year means a little more.
Alyssa Waite, of Adams Center, said she is friends with Matteson and that she and her family enjoy seeing different aspects of the parade.
She said they also try to go to the parade every year and that she and her family looked forward to listening to the music.
Matteson said earlier this week that this is a celebration of all things agriculture, a $1.7 billion industry in Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence and Oswego counties.
The Watertown Daily Times’ first coverage of a Watertown dairy parade was June 1967.
Planning for next year’s event will begin in about a week.
