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Health & Fitness

KidsOutAndAbout's List of Memorial Day Parades in and near Hartford, CT

Read on to find a list of Memorial Day Parades and Activities in Hartford, CT

Memorial Day Parades for 2014

Anyone can have a parade. Only Americans can have a parade to celebrate the greatest political achievements in history: establishing and repeatedly defending a country founded on the principle of individual liberty. Memorial Day, which was originally called Decoration Day because it was a day on which the graves of fallen soldiers were decorated, was established in the years after the Civil War to honor those who died in that war. Today, it is a day of remembrance of all who have died in this country's service.

Bravery. Honor. In President Lincoln's famous words, giving the last full measure of devotion to the defense of freedom. These are difficult ideas to explain to children, but it is our responsibility as parents to do it.

Start by bringing your kids to the Memorial Day Parade in your town. During the parade, demonstrate for them the solemnity and gratitude due to the veterans who march past. Take off your hats as they go by. Explain to your kids why we show respect for the flag. With them, cheer for the bands and salute the men and women in our police and fire departments. Think about those currently serving our country in the military around the world, and, perhaps, reflect with your children about the gratitude we owe their courage. If you know parents with a child in the military, take a few minutes to find a way to convey your thanks.

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Click here for a brief history of Memorial Day in the U.S., courtesy of the Waterloo, NY web site. Below the following list of dates and times for this year, we have compiled some other good links for those of you ambitious enough to explore further the meaning of Memorial Day.

Sunday, May 25th

Woodbury Memorial Day Parade: 2 pm

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The Woodbury Memorial Day Parade begins at Woodbury Middle School and ends at Cannon Green on Main Street for a ceremony.

Monday, May 26th

Avon Memorial Day Parade: 11 am

The Avon Memorial Day Parade starts on Simsbury Road, stops at the Congregational Church for memorial service, down Old Farms Road, through Columbus Circle, stops at Prince Thomas of Savoy Club, to Route 44, and finishes at Avon Park South.

Berlin Memorial Day Parade: 9 am

The Memorial Day Parade will be held Monday, May 26, 2014. The parade will step off at 9:00 a.m. from St. Paul's parking lot, Peck Street, go down Farmington Avenue, turn left onto Massirio Drive and left onto Veterans Way.

Manchester Memorial Day Parade: 9:30 am

The parade steps off promptly at 9:30 a.m. and proceeds north on Main Street, east on East Center Street to Munro Park, and returns west on East Center Street to Center Street, left onto Myrtle Street and enters Center Memorial Park from the west entrance. The first parade halt will be at Vietnam Memorial Park on Main Street. The second halt will be at Munro Park on East Center Street. During these halts, the marchers in the First Division will place wreaths while the Chaplains offer prayers and eulogies. A gun salute is rendered at each war memorial. In Center Memorial Park, all units will pass in review rendering customary honors. A Memorial Program is conducted in Center Memorial Park at the conclusion of the parade.

Newington Memorial Day Parade: 10:30 am

The annual Memorial Day Parade in Newington will step off at 10:30 a.m. at Main Street and East Robbins Avenue. Marchers will proceed north on Main Street to Walsh Avenue and then west to town hall.

Simsbury Memorial Day Parade: 1:30 pm

The Simsbury Memorial Day Parade will assemble on Owens Brook Boulevard by Simsbury Bank and step off onto Hopmeadow Street. There will be a ceremony on the portico of Eno Memorial Hall at the conclusion of the parade.

South Windsor Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony: 10 am

The South Windsor Memorial Day Parade begins at the corner of South Satellite Road and Nutmeg Road South; to Pleasant Valley Road ending at Veterans Memorial Park, where the ceremony will take place.

Tarrifville Memorial Day Parade: 9 am

The Tarrifville Memorial Day Parade in Simsbury will assemble on Main Street and step off onto Winthrop Street at 9 a.m., sharp. There will be a ceremony at St. Bernard’s Cemetery at the conclusion of the parade.

Unionville Memorial Day Parade: 8:30 am

Celebrate Memorial Day in Farmington at the annual Unionville Parade! There will be a brief stop at the War Memorial on Main Street for wreath laying. The parade will end at the Gazebo on Perry Street for traditional services

Farmington Memorial Day Parade: 10:30 am

Celebrate Memorial Day in Farmington at the annual Parade! This year, the parade steps off at 10:30 am.

West Hartford Memorial Day Parade: 10 am

West Hartford takes great pride in hosting its annual Memorial Day Parade. It follows a tradition established by returning West Hartford veterans from World War I in the 1920s. Parade route: Farmington Avenue to South Main Street, ends at Town Hall.

Wethersfield Memorial Day Parade: 9 am

Celebrate Memorial Day at the annual parade in charming and historic Wethersfield! At the conclusion of the parade, a Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at the Village Cemetery on Marsh Street.

Friday, May 30, 2014

Cromwell Memorial Day Parade: 6 pm

The parade begins just off the green and proceeds via a counter-clockwise route up Main Street, across New Lane, then loops back around onto West Street before arriving back at the Green. Several roads adjacent to the green will either be closed or have restricted traffic beginning at 6 p.m.

Those roads are West Street to Main Street, Main to New Lane, and New Lane to West Street. Motorists are advised to use caution and be aware that many children will be participating in the parade.

New Britain Memorial Day Parade: 6 pm

The parade begins at 6 p.m. traveling East on Broad Street for 1.5 miles downhill to South on Main Street for 0.7 miles past the reviewing and grand stands in Central Park and ends at Franklin Square in front of the New Britain Courthouse. 


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