East Greenwich Memorial Day Parade Set for May 30

EAST GREENWICH, RI—The town’s annual Memorial Day Parade to honor veterans is on schedule for Monday, May 30 at 10 a.m. sharp.

The parade will kick off from Academy Field and wind through the hill district by way of Mawney Street. It will then continue to First Avenue (Rt.401) for a brief wreath-laying ceremony at the World War II Memorial on the corner of Cliff Street. The parade then proceeds North on Main Street to the Town Hall for closing ceremonies to conclude at about 11:00 AM.

The “Lone Piper” will lead the parade which will feature Police and Fire Honor Guards, Elected Officials, Grand Marshal Frederick “Jerry” Holmquist and the always resplendent local militia groups the Kentish Guards and Varnum Continentals. Spectators will be delighted by the return of The Nightlife Marching Band, and our own East Greenwich High School Band will be marching and providing patriotic favorites for young and old. Local Boy and Girl Scouts will march along with 2016 Mrs. Rhode Island America Gina Sabitoni-Arakelian and 2016 Ms. Rhode Island New England States Jaclynn Barry. Numerous classic and antique cars will participate along with the ever patriotic Blue Knights Law Enforcement motor group. Local fire companies will display an outstanding array of apparatus featuring the Pink Heals truck.

Closing ceremonies will include a recitation of the Gettysburg Address by a Hanaford Elementary School student as well as an acapella version of the National Anthem performed by East Greenwich High School senior Meredith Liu. The 143 Airlift Wing from the RI Air National Guard will provide a flyover and a special tribute to all five branches of the armed forces will be piped throughout the hill and harbor by Aaron Lindo. This parade, and the other Town parade on Veteran’s Day, is a long time tradition by one of a handful of Rhode Island communities who continue to honor the living and the dead of past conflicts. It is with a great deal of pride that the Town sponsors these parades.

A temporary parking ban will be in effect on several of the streets surrounding Academy Field in order to accommodate parade vehicles.

There is NO RAIN DATE so in the event of inclement weather, please call the EG Police at (401) 886-8640 by 9am.

For further information, call Leigh Botello, at (401) 886-8604 or (401) 261-7729.