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Elm Grove Memorial Day Parade
May 26 @ 10:30 am
FreeThe Elm Grove Memorial Day parade will be on in 2025! The Elm Grove Junior Guild is thrilled to announce the return of the Elm Grove Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 26, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. The parade route begins at Elm Grove Park, continues north on Legion Dr., east on Elmhurst Pkwy, turning on Church St., then west on Watertown Plank Rd. to Elm Grove Rd., ending on Wall St. For more information, or to participate, please visit the Elm Grove Junior Guild’s website.
This year’s honored Grand Marshal is John Mathie, Sr.
In 1950, John proudly joined the US Air Force. He served for five years, completing 34 combat missions in the Korean War. John earned several medals throughout his honorable career including the Air Medal, the Korea Service Medal, the National Defense Medal, and the UN Service Medal. He is an active member of the F-86 Pilots Association and the American Legion Post 449. Thank you, John, for your years of service to our country!
Drop Off Location – All drop offs before the parade will be at Elm Grove Park. You must drive north to south on Legion drive. There are two drop off locations. The first location is at the footbridge off of Legion and Elmhurst. The second location is at the flag pole outside of the town hall building. Please access this location through the main park entrance off of Legion. Only vehicles participating in the parade will be allowed to drive past the flag poles. All other vehicles will be directed to exit on Juneau.
Drop Off Time – please arrive between 8:45 and 9:15 a.m. (streets will close shortly after this). We suggest that bands, scouts, and other groups meet prior to the parade at one of the local schools (St. Mary’s Visitation or Tonawanda) and walk the short distance to the park together. The parade has been cancelled only twice in its history due to weather. If in doubt, please listen to WZTR (95.7) for information on cancellation.
Weather – The parade has been cancelled only twice in its history due to weather. If in doubt, please listen to WLDB B93.3 for information on cancellation.
Email questions about this year’s event to memorialday@elmgrovejuniorguild.org.
History:
“In 1947, a unit marched from the Legion to the flag at St. Mary’s for the first Memorial Day Flag Ceremony. The children from the area followed on their bikes. The following year, the Legion held another ceremony at the cemetery on Highland Drive, and again the children joined in on their bikes. The ceremony returned to St. Mary’s in 1949 and in 1950 the Legion decided to not only hold the parade, but offer festivities for the children. Though the Post has moved, the tradition that the American Legion began 69 years ago continues today as a cornerstone event in our community.”
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