No Elmhurst Memorial Day Parade For 2nd Year In Row

ELMHURST, IL — For the second year in a row, Elmhurst again will not hold a Memorial Day parade because of pandemic guidelines. But it plans to hold the “2021 Always Remember Memorial Day Convoy," the city announced Monday.

The convoy will include first responder emergency vehicles and pre-selected special service and military vehicles only, according to a city news release. The route will cover 16 miles of Elmhurst, with vehicles passing through each ward.

The route begins and ends at the Veterans Memorial in Wilder Park, stepping off at 9:30 a.m. and concluding with a ceremony at 11 a.m. at the memorial. The public is invited to attend the in-person ceremony at the Veteran’s Memorial.

Here is how the city is encouraging spectators to take part:

• Show your support by decorating the front of your home, which could include posting your flag and adding a ribbon to your parkway tree. Ribbons will be provided by Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187 for a donation of $1, $5, $10, $20, $25, $50 or $100. Ribbons ordered online will be safely home-delivered to resident donors by the start of Memorial Day weekend and residents also can pick up ribbons at Post 180 (310 W. Butterfield) via a drive-thru table (more details to follow — check the website for updates).
• Visit the Elmhurst Police Department Facebook page for live coverage during the event.
• At 5 p.m. Memorial Day, the ceremony will be played back from earlier in the day along with footage from the convoy and will be available to watch on Elmhurst TV’s YouTube page. This will also be available to watch on Comcast and AT&T U-verse at a later time.
• If your home is on the route, please consider parking your car at the end of your driveway and decorating your vehicle. You can turn your flashers on and wave as the convoy goes by.
• Listen to patriotic music while watching the convoy by tuning in to the Elmhurst University radio station WRSE on 88.7 FM, or stream the station online on its website.

The route is within a quarter-mile walk from almost any home in Elmhurst and will traverse many open public parking spots.