100th Year For Cranford's Memorial Day Parade

CRANFORD, NJ — Cranford's Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony will kick off Monday morning, and all are invited, said Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty in an email this week.

The parade, which will begin at 9 a.m., celebrates a special anniversary this year.

"This year, we mark the 100th Anniversary of the first Memorial Day parade in Cranford that started at the corner of Springfield and N. Union Avenues where Memorial Park was located (now 911 Park)," Prunty said.

The lineup begins at the Community Center (220 Walnut Ave.) at 8:30 a.m., and marching commences at 9 a.m., said an announcement.

Prunty noted:

"Memorial Day is more than a kickoff of the summer season. It is a time to remember the everyday heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country in the armed forces. ... Cranford dedicated the first monument in the former Memorial Park on May 30, 1920 — the Honor Roll and Memorial Tablet — to honor those who died in service. The monument was moved to the new Memorial Park on Springfield Avenue and Riverside Drive in April 1958, where it remains to this day."

Regarding the parade, she said, "We invite everyone to join us for the parade starting at 9 a.m. followed by the ceremony in Memorial Park."

She also thanked the Memorial Day Committee: Barbara Bilger, Lee Blowe, Drew Burns, Danielle DeCostello, Gerry Dobbins, Mark Dinglestedt, Howie Lubinger, Beth Matheiu, Nikki Mulcahy, Heinz Rickens, Chris Sands, Chris Savino, Don Sweeney and Deputy Mayor Brian Andrews.

Executive Orders

See the details of the most recent New Jersey Executive Order about outdoor gatherings and mask-wearing here.

Most outdoor gathering capacity limits were removed earlier this month.

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