Suffield Announces Memorial Day Parade Plans

Information via Town of Suffield

SUFFIELD, CT – The Town of Suffield announces today changes to its annual Memorial Day remembrance scheduled for Monday, May 31st. This year’s parade, beginning promptly at 9 a.m., moves to a new, more prominent, location along Main Street to better acknowledge the significance of the event. Suffield First Selectwoman Melissa M. Mack said, “I am grateful for the advocacy the recently created Veterans Appreciation Committee provided to help improve the pageantry this occasion demands and the respect our veterans deserve. I join our residents in welcoming the parade back to its rightful Main Street location.” A program immediately follows the parade at the Veterans Memorial adjacent to Kent Memorial Library, 50 North Main Street. Officer of the Day is Lieutenant Colonel William E. Moryto, USMC.

The parade route - encompassing Main Street from Russell Avenue, through the center of town and concluding at the Veterans Memorial - will be closed to thru traffic from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Moryto reminds residents both attending and travelling through town to be mindful of the solemnity of Memorial Day. “When ceremonies are conducted at military airfields, the base exercises what are called ‘quiet hours’ which prohibits the running of any aircraft engines so the ceremonies can be conducted without noise interference that make it difficult or impossible for spectators to hear the words of the speakers,” said Moryto.

All Suffield veterans, in uniform if possible, and civic groups are invited to march. Interested groups should contact Kris Lambert (klambert@suffieldct.gov or 860-668-3838) by Wednesday, May 26th. Buses will provide participants only with transportation from Ffyler Place to the Russell Avenue drop off beginning at 8 a.m. The last bus leaves Ffyler at 8:30 a.m. Groups will line up at designated spots for social distancing as marked by signage found on orange cones. Masks are not required outdoors but suggested for those at higher risk/unvaccinated.

In case of rain, only the ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. at Suffield High School, 1060 Sheldon Street.