Senate Bill S9489

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S9489

SPONSOR: HELMING
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the highway law, in relation to dedicating a portion of
the state highway system to the Gorham Pageant of Bands

 
PURPOSE:

To dedicate a portion of the state highway system to the Gorham Pageant
of Bands

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Amends the highway law by adding a new section 343-ee to
dedicate a portion of the state highway system to the Gorham Pageant of
Bands

Section 2: Provides that the commissioner of transportation shall
provide for the installation and maintenance of adequate signing of the
highway system, as dedicated pursuant to section 1, provided that such
              

signage shall state" Highway Dedicated to the Gorham Pageant of Bands".
To avoid confustion and limit disruptions of commerce, the dedication
shall be ceremonial and not rename the official name of the highway.

Section 3: Provides the effective date

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Founded in 1960 by nationally recognized composer Jack Bullock, the
Gorham Pageant of Bands stood as a cherished local tradition for nearly
sixty years, bringing together tens of thousands of student musicians in
a series of competitions, concerts, and parades. It serves as one of the
region's most cherished musical traditions, with a mural created to
celebrate its history recently sparking inspiration for the return of
the Pageant.

At its peak, the Pageant drew more than 20,000 spectators annually,
serving as the gem of the Marcus Whitman school community and one of New
York State's premier celebrations of the arts. The pageant was last held
in 2018, and is returning in 2026, coinciding with America's 250th
Birthday. Gorham's status as the Pageant's host earned it the nickname
"The Bandstand of the Finger Lakes."  This legislation dedicates a
portion of state route 245 to the Gorham Pageant of Bands within the
town of Gorham, honoring the legacy of this irreplaceable celebration of
the talent of the Finger Lakes.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.