Elm Grove Memorial Day Parade
May 25 @ 10:30 am
Free
The Elm Grove Memorial Day parade will be on in 2026! The Elm Grove Junior Guild is thrilled to announce the return of the Elm Grove Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2026 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 and Honorary Veteran for the 78th Annual Memorial Day Parade, is Laurence “Larry” J. Sullivan.
Born in Evanston, Illinois in 1952, Larry graduated from St. Benedict High School (Class of 1970). Soon after high school, and facing the draft, he enlisted in the United States Army, completing basic training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina, and MOS training at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia, where he served as Military Police(95D10). Larry served stateside at the Red River Army Depot in New Boston, Texas, and later at the Savanna Army Depot in Savanna, Illinois. He especially remembers his connection to work at Red River, where missiles were produced and used during the Vietnam War, as a defining part of his service. By 1976, Larry had achieved the rank of E-5 and completed his Army service, retiring that same year. He is a proud Elm Grove community member that raised his four daughters here and opened O’Sullivan’s on North Avenue. Larry has also a been part of American Legion Post 449 for the past 20 years.
This Memorial Day, we invite everyone to join us to thank Larry J. Sullivan for his
service and to celebrate all who have worn the USA uniform.
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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