PARADE INFORMATION

The Elm Grove Junior Guild Memorial Day Parade will be held Memorial Day at 10:30 am.

For general details, please refer to the Parade Participation Guide for an idea of what to expect.

Interested in performing or participating in the parade? Applications now available!

Please direct any questions to memorialday@elmgrovejuniorguild.org

PARADE DETAILS

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 am (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 Elementary) 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.

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 so many years ago continues today as a cornerstone event in our community.