2021 Guide To Memorial Day Events In Monmouth County

MONMOUTH COUNTY - With outdoor gathering limits now lifted as of May 19, several municipalities in Monmouth County have announced that Memorial Day parades and activities will go on as planned.

Other municipalities in the county and throughout New Jersey - from Rumson to Bernards to Cinnaminson - have scrapped parades this year, citing health concerns amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Here’s where you can celebrate and honor fallen heroes in Monmouth County this month:

Allentown: The Lions Memorial Day Parade will take place rain or shine on May 31 at 10:30 a.m. Main Street and High Street will be closed for the duration of the parade. A memorial ceremony will follow outside Allentown Grammar School. Before the parade, there will be a bicycle decorating contest sponsored by the Allentown Business Community Association at 16 Allen Drive. All participants may ride their bicycles in the parade.

Farmingdale: While no marching will be allowed in the drive-thru Memorial Day Parade in Farmingdale this year, the parade route has been expanded and will traverse many borough streets to ensure that residents can view the parade safely. The annual event will kick off this year at 1 p.m. on May 31 at Southard Avenue and Academy Street. Read more: No Marching In 2021 Farmingdale Memorial Day Parade: Officials

Freehold: The 147th Freehold Memorial Day Parade is slated to take place on May 31 at 10 a.m., starting at the corner of Brinkerhoff Avenue and Main Street and concluding in the parking lot of the Monmouth County Courthouse. In what is self-described as the oldest and largest such parade in Western Monmouth County, the parade touts an average of more than 70 units participating each year and features military units, veterans groups, bands, fire departments, EMS squads, youth groups, custom designed floats and civilian units. Read more: Freehold Announces 2021 Summer Event Series, Memorial Day Parade

Hazlet: Hazlet Township will hold its annual Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m. May 31 in the monument park next to the Cullen Center at 1776 Union Ave. Residents may view the new Honor Hazlet Heroes banner display at Veteran's Park featuring the names of those who died in service to our nation, as well as veterans and actively serving military.

Holmdel: A Memorial Day ceremony will be held on May 31 at 11 a.m. at the Town Hall Memorial Circle (4 Crawfords Corner Road). The ceremony will be followed by light refreshments.

Marlboro: Hosted by the township's Veterans and Volunteers Committee, Marlboro’s Memorial Day ceremony will take place on May 30 at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial in front of Town Hall. The event is open to the public with COVID-19 restrictions in place. The ceremony will also be livestreamed on the Township official Facebook page. Read more: Marlboro To Host Memorial Day Ceremony At Town Hall

Manalapan: The township Memorial Day ceremony will take place on May 31 at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Walk of Honor outside Town Hall. The event is open to the public with COVID-19 restrictions in place. The ceremony will also be aired live on MTTN Channel 77 and FiOS Channel 42.

Middletown: Middletown's Memorial Day parade will kick off at 10 a.m. Monday, May 31 from Bayshore Middle School at 834 Leonardville Road, Middletown, NJ 07748. The parade route can be found at the link; the parade should end at 12 noon. Read more: Middletown Memorial Day Parade Is May 31, From Bayshore Middle

Red Bank: On May 31 at 11 a.m., a Memorial Day ceremony will take place at Veterans' Monument located at 51 Monmouth Street. The service will take place for about one hour. The ceremony will move to the Elks Lodge (40 W Front Street) in the event of rain.

Rumson: Although the Rumson Memorial Day Parade is cancelled for the second year in a row in 2021, the borough will still host a Memorial Day ceremony in Victory Park. Read more: Rumson Memorial Day Parade Nixed, Victory Park Ceremony Still On

The ceremony will take place on May 31 at 11 a.m. at 1 Lafayette Street.

"In light of our continuing efforts to keep the community safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no Annual Memorial Day Parade," the borough wrote. "However, there will be a traditional Memorial Day Ceremony at Victory Park. Social distancing guidelines will be followed for those in attendance."

Did we miss your favorite Memorial Day parade or event? Email nicole.rosenthal@patch.com to get your event featured on this list. Let us know in the comments which event you’ll be attending!