Memorial Day Parade Returns To Falls Church With New Look

FALLS CHURCH, VA — The City of Falls Church's annual Memorial Day parade is returning this year after a disappointing 2020 when it was forced to cancel the parade and holiday festival due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Along with the parade, the public will get to enjoy the Beyer Auto 3K Fun Run and Memorial Day-themed activities for all ages.

The 39th annual Memorial Day Parade on May 31 will be slightly scaled back, primarily consisting of Falls Church emergency vehicles, Public Works trucks, school buses and the 1980s Volvo Police Cruiser, the city said Thursday.

The grand marshal of the parade is expected to be long-time city official and resident Lindy Hockenberry.

The Memorial Day event typically draws around 10,000 people to Falls Church. But in 2021, the city wants to avoid crowds, which means the parade will have a different look.

“There's no need to camp out on Park Ave. for a good spot: we'll be bringing the parade to you, traveling throughout the City streets (exact route is TBD, but probably close to the Snow Emergency Routes),” the city said.

The city's Memorial Day Ceremony will be limited to 130 people. The public can reserve a spot at this year's Memorial Ceremony, located at the Veteran's Memorial outside the Community Center, online beginning on Tuesday, May 4.

Participants in the Beyer 3K Memorial Day Fun Run will choose when and where to run 3,000 meters during the week leading up to Memorial Day. The public can register for the Fun Run online and pick up their Fun Run t-shirts the morning of Memorial Day from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in front of the Community Center.

The city is still developing the details for its 2021 Memorial Day Scavenger Hunt. As of now, the city knows it will provide clues to locations throughout the city. The public will then find them and jot down the corresponding keyword or phrase unique to each location. Participants who succeed in the hunt will receive a custom-made Scavenger Hunt t-shirt.

"See? We can still have a great Memorial Day," the city said. "And if everyone gets vaccinated (and continues to make smart choices), just think about all the happy green checkmarks that could be in our future for the 40th Annual Memorial Day Event in 2022."

RELATED: 2020 Memorial Day Parade, Other Falls Church Events Canceled