Sacred Heart Parish floats to first place
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Young parishioners portraying Revolutionary soldiers ride the float that won Sacred Heart first place at the Honor America Days Parade in Rome, NY. The actors represented the Churches of St. Joseph’s, St. Peter’s, and St. Paul’s. Photo submitted
Sacred Heart Parish in Rome was awarded first place for the float the parishioners and volunteers created to celebrate “Honor America Days.” The parade began in 1984 and is now an annual tradition that honors local heritage and celebrates the city’s strong patriotic spirit. It is one of the city’s largest summer events. The float was designed by Samual and Arlene Kraeger and constructed with the help of the children and parents of Sacred Heart Parish as well as the parade committee.
The Sacred Heart 2026 Honor America Days parade float depicted the theme “Celebrating 250 years of America,” and featured a replica of Rome’s Fort Stanwix — the site of a crucial 19-day American Revolutionary War battle in August 1777.
“The fort represented the cornerstone upon which our nation is built, the battle for freedom,” said Arlene Kraeger. The float also displayed a cake with 250 red, white, and blue candles in recognition of the country’s Semiquincentennial, historic moments in U.S. history, copies of the Declaration of Independence, and photos of the churches that illustrate the combined faith communities in the area. The former four parishes, comprised of St. John the Baptist Church, St. Peter’s Church, and St. Paul’s Church (along with St. Joseph’s Church in nearby Lee Center), are now called Sacred Heart Parish.
“The four parishes came together very well over the last 12 months to make one new parish of Sacred Heart, Rome/Lee Center,” said Fr. Seán P. O’Brien, pastor at Sacred Heart Parish and vicar forane for Vicariate IV. “Working together on the float and attaining our 2025 HOPE Appeal goal shows a community of faith coming together to live that faith with joy in the community.”
