Rod Serling Day celebrates the life of Binghamton's favorite son
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Fifth graders from all seven Binghamton elementary schools celebrated the legacy of the city's favorite son on Friday.
Rod Serling Day had a different format this year, being held at Horace Mann Elementary because of its proximity to Rec Park.
As in previous years, Serling's daughter Anne was the guest of honor, and she recounted to the children her memories of her famous father, especially focusing on his sense of humor.
Leading up to the day, the fifth graders learned about classic Twilight Zone episodes and their underlying messages supporting compassion and tolerance.
'I feel that this is and my father would have felt that this is one of his greatest accolades, that fifth grade students are learning about the messages of the Twilight Zone, which I feel we need now more than ever. I'm so honored, as my Dad would have been, that these teachers do such a tremendous job and these kids are so great,' said Anne.
After the assembly inside the school, the children went to Rec Park to participate in a variety of stations.
They learned about the new bronze statue of Serling that was installed last year, Binghamton High School students did a staged reading of one of his famous Twilight Zone episodes, and the kids got to ride the same carousel that Serling once did.
The day ended with a picnic lunch.
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