May 12, 2021
New Canaans Memorial Day Parade
Break out the lawn chairs, flags, and patriotic attire. It’s time for a parade!
New Canaan’s annual Memorial Day parade and the Lakeview Cemetery service honoring deceased and living military veterans will return on Monday, May 31st. Last year’s parade was canceled because of the COVID-19 health crisis, while the annual ceremony at Lakeview was pre-recorded for viewing on YouTube.
Town officials and representatives from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 653 announced the parade’s return, in part because town officials believe enough New Canaan residents have been administered the COVID-19 vaccine to allow the events to be safely staged.
Residents who come out to watch the parade or attend the Memorial Day ceremony at Lakeview Cemetery are still asked to wear a face-covering if social distancing cannot be maintained.
This year’s parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mark’s Church on Oenoke Ridge Road, but follow a different route than normal because of construction on lower Main Street. The parade will turn onto Cherry Street after passing the Wayside Cross, firehouse, and Town Hall, continue onto South Avenue before turning onto Harrison Avenue, and ending at the entrance of Lakeview Cemetery.
The Memorial Day ceremony will not only honor deceased and living members of the military, but will also honor health officials from the town and the school district.