Troy’s Uncle Sam Birthday Parade Cancelled After 40 Year Run

Sad news coming out of Troy today for those who enjoyed celebrating Uncle Sam on the streets of Troy every September.

After four decades of celebrating the birthday of Troy resident Samuel Wilson who  became the inspiration for Uncle Sam with a big parade in downtown Troy the celebration has come to an end.

The parade president recently spoke with the Times Union and apparently the organizers have been having a lot of trouble raising the $20 - $25,000 in funds to put on the parade. That mixed with low turn outs on the actual day of the celebration has lead to the cancellation of this years festivities. It seems he's been getting a lot of advice on how he could improve things because he went as far as to tell them:

People don't want to run it. They want to tell you how to run it, they're not really stepping up to the plate to do it.

I mean I get it, it seems everyone has something to say now days about how you can make things better or how you should be doing things but while they sure are quick to run their mouths it turns out they're all talk and aren't really willing to jump in and lend a hand. Maybe at some point that will change but for now the parade president remains proud he was able to bring the parade to the city for so many years and that all their books are clear so they owe no one. On the up side the Citizen of the Year Awards and the Miss Uncle Sam Pageant will continue.