A Tale of Two Parades – Starting With the Steuben Parade

Written by: Albert Terc

Photos by: Albert Terc

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times…. Oh wait….different times and this is a short story of a dual parade weekend starting with the 69th annual Steuben Parade. This parade honors one of the heroes of the American Revolution, Baron Freidrich Wilhelm von Steuben. He is well known for preparing the tattered Continental Army under General George Washington for war against the British. That worked out very well on our side. The story goes well beyond that and how much German influence is in America. The parade route along part of the Museum Mile along Fifth Avenue had the politest of spectators clapping courteously as the groups marched. All marchers stopped by the reviewing stand set up just south of 79th Street where announcers greeted them.

**Proud Band Members Playing Marching Tunes**

People of German ancestry came out on the last Saturday of summer to enjoy seeing their heritage on full display. Various local Germanic organizations from the Tri-State area had floats or marchers waving to the crowd. Some perennial favorites include the Doberman gang, the Brooklyn Shuetzen Club from Franklin Square, the German Language Schools, and all the clubs from New Jersey that cross the Hudson River to be a part of the big event. The best thing about this parade are the German marching bands that have the best uniforms in all of the parades in NYC. They really are impressive with much attention to detail of each uniform. They play typical German marching tunes that may remind some spectators of home. Once in a while you might here a yodel or two. It’s great to hear the difference in tunes played by other nations marching bands in comparison to ours. It makes you appreciate theirs and ours, after all music is a universal language.

One of the coolest things about the parade are the bouncing beer floats. The Germans sure enjoy beer and the people on the beer floats always have the most fun. They’re just getting warmed up for the Ocktoberfest in Central Park after the parade ends. It really is a fun event but still the politest parade with the Japanese parade a close second behind. It marked a sharp contrast with the parade that followed the next day in Harlem….as the story continues. For now, enjoy the related videos and photo roll.

Steuben Day Parade~NYC~2026~Stadtgarde Decher Penn Marching Band~NYCParadelife

Steuben Day Parade~NYC~2026~Prizengarde Alfter Marching Band~NYCParadelife

Steuben Day Parade~NYC~2026~FSZ Altenstadt Marching Band~NYCParadelife