Memorial Day in Darien: Parade, Commemorative Ceremony, Post 53 Food Fair

Memorial Day in Darien

Parade

The Memorial Day Parade is an annual Darien tradition. Attending the parade is a great way to recognize many of our veterans, cheer on our local emergency service providers, see many of our student youth groups, and multiple non-profits, that do so much to enhance our community. The parade will step off from Goodwives Shopping Center on Old Kings Highway North at 10:00 AM on Monday, May 29th, proceeding up Brookside Road and turning left onto Post Road, ending in the area of Spring Grove Cemetery. We expect an Air Force C-130 to flyover the parade route at some point, so keep your eyes to the skies too!  (#AFFlyover) 

In order to provide a safe environment and to accommodate parade participants and spectators, Darien Police advise the following:

  • Avoid bringing backpacks or large bags to the event.
  • Spectators are reminded to remain on sidewalks, curbsides, or as close as practical to the roadway edge throughout the duration of the parade.  This is necessary to ensure the safety of viewers and marchers alike.  
  • Traffic detours and restrictions will be in effect as early as 8:00 AM on Monday, May 29th.
  • There will be no on-street parking on Sedgwick Avenue, Mechanic Street, or Old Kings Highway North near the entrance to Goodwives Shopping Center.
  • The Brookside Road and Old Kings Highway North approaches to Goodwives Shopping Center will be closed to all vehicular traffic at 8:00 AM.
  • All vehicles participating in the parade must enter Goodwives Shopping Center via Sedgwick Avenue or Mechanic Street.
  • Persons dropping off parade participants must use Sedgwick Avenue or Mechanic Street.
  • No vehicles will be allowed to travel on Post Road from I-95 entrance 13 westbound to Old Kings Highway South during the parade.
  • Old Kings Highway South from Goodwives River Road to Post Road will be posted a "no parking" area.
  • Motorists are advised to avoid the downtown area during the parade.

Memorial Day Commemorative Ceremony

At the parade’s end, the Town’s Monuments & Ceremonies Commission invites all parade participants and spectators to attend the Memorial Day Commemorative Ceremony in Spring Grove Veterans Cemetery.

The ceremony will open with an invocation by First Congregational Church’s Reverend Andrew Weisman, a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance led by Vietnam veteran and Grand Marshal, Bruce Kinloch, followed by the singing of our national anthem by the Tudor Singers, under the able direction of Mr. Chris Andrade.  Author Kevin Callahan will be our Keynote Speaker. 

First Selectman Monica McNally will then read the names of Darien’s 92 servicemen who lost their lives in defense of our country in all conflicts from the Civil War until the current day.

An honor guard unit from VFW Post 6933 will discharge three volleys to salute their fallen comrades, followed by Taps and a concluding benediction. 

It is a worthwhile and memorable ceremony. Come once, and you will remember it forever.

Post 53 Food Fair

The Post 53 Annual Memorial Day Food Fair will be held on Monday, May 29th, from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM at Tilly Pond Park. Live entertainment, games, ambulance tours, and a silent auction are all part of the fun. Food tents from locally owned businesses will include Palmer’s Market, Smokey Joe’s, Fisherman’s Net, The Goose, and Michael Josephs. The Food Fair raises money to support operating expenses related to patient care, continuous training, and community educational programs including Hands-Only CPR and Stop the Bleed classes.

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Submitted by Darien, CT

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