Marblehead will commemorate Memorial Day with a series of solemn events spanning four days, culminating in the annual parade and cemetery observances on Monday, May 26.
The main Memorial Day observances begin at 8 a.m. Monday with a memorial service at Clark’s Landing, followed by parade participants mustering at 8:30 a.m. at the Old Town House.
The parade steps off at 9 a.m., proceeding up Pleasant Street to Memorial Park for a formal ceremony. After the ceremony, the parade will reform, turning left on Spring to Elm, left off of Elm to Cressey, then merge onto Green. Participants will then proceed left on Turner Road to Waterside Cemetery. A trolley will be available for those needing transportation on the return trip.
The weekend of remembrance begins with the Veterans Breakfast on Friday, May 23, at 9 a.m. at the Council on Aging. The breakfast, hosted by the COA and the Masons, welcomes all veterans and serves as a gathering point before participants proceed to Star of the Sea Cemetery for grave flagging.
On Saturday, May 24, at 9 a.m., volunteers will meet at the bell tower for grave flagging at Waterside Cemetery. All community members are welcome to attend and participate in this tradition of marking veterans’ final resting places.
The VFW will hold a Veterans Service at Star of the Sea Cemetery on Sunday, May 25, at 1 p.m. This service is open to all who wish to pay their respects.
A student essay will be read at the Waterside Cemetery observance, while the honorary grand marshal for this year’s parade is still to be determined.
