Memorial Day is Monday.
At 9 a.m. Westport’s annual parade begins, at Saugatuck Elementary School. A couple of thousand folks — from the 101-year-old grand marshal to infants in wraps — ride, walk, march, amble, bike, and otherwise make their way up the Post Road and onto Myrtle Avenue.
A couple of thousand other folks line the streets and bridge. They cheer, take videos, clap, socialize, and have a great time. It’s an annual ritual they wouldn’t miss.
Too many other folks sleep in.
What a shame. They miss one of the best Westport days of the year.
Cub Scouts hold a giant flag, as they round Riverside Avenue onto the Post Road. (Photo/Swapna Podlich)
If you’re a “marcher” (an admittedly loose term) or a spectator, you know what I mean.
If you’ve never been, what might convince you to spend Monday morning doing this very cool community thing? Try:
It’s a parade! That’s obvious — but who doesn’t love a parade? For an hour you watch an ever-changing cast of marching bands, first responders, fifers and drummers, local organizations, politicians, young Little Leaguers and soccer and lacrosse players and gymnasts and Suzuki violinists — and of course, veterans — parade past. They smile, wave, and occasionally toss goodies into the crowd. Seven-year-olds pull the fire truck horn. All you have to do is clap.
(Photo/Lou Weinberg)
People put tons of work into their floats. This is a parade (see above), so there are Memorial Day-themed floats. The Y’s Men will win for Best Overall — that seems to be a town regulation — but there are other categories too. After all that papier-mâché, the least you can do is clap for it.
Y’s Men float. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
Happy birthday, America! What better time to watch a parade than on our 250th anniversary? And if you don’t have a little flag to wave, no problem. Many of the marchers — and some of the local businesses along the route — are happy to hand you one.
(Photo/Ted Horowitz)
Those World War II veterans aren’t getting any younger. At the end of the day — and especially, that morning — Memorial Day is really about honoring our vets. They gave years of their lives so we could enjoy our lives. The least we can do is clap as they ride or walk by. (NOTE: If your kids are young, this is a great chance for them to see our last World War II heroes. I still remember a Spanish-American war veteran in Westport’s parade. As a child, my father saw Civil War vets.)
2023 grand marshal Ben Pepper, a World War II veteran. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
The ceremony after the parade is meaningful too. After the last marchers finish at Parker Harding Plaza, there’s a half-hour event at Veterans Green, opposite Town Hall. You’ll hear from the World War II grand marshal, listen to a couple of patriotic songs, watch the honor guard place a wreath, see a 21-gun salute — and reflect for a brief moment, in whatever way you wish, on both our little town, and our vast nation.
(Photo/Harris Falk)
Kids! If you want a look at our town’s future, the Memorial Day parade is it. You’ll be gobsmacked at the number of youngsters in town — and the variety of activities they participate in. It takes a village to raise a child. Our entire village should be downtown on Monday, supporting the boys and girls who will support us in our old age.
Suzuki violinists entertain the crowd (Photo/Doris Ghitelman)
It’s a true community gathering. (The fireworks is another.) Sitting or standing on the sidewalk, you’ll meet random interesting residents. If you’ve been here a while, the Memorial Day parade is a chance to catch up with old friends. And if you haven’t been here long enough to have old friends, you’ll enjoy seeing new ones, and feeling “hey, this really is my town!”
(Photo/Ted Horowitz)
It’s a uniquely American holiday. Nothing else on our calendar combines history and reverence with fun and spirit. You’ve got the rest of day for cookouts, parties, the beach, whatever. Kick it off in style at 9 a.m. Monday morning. See you downtown — and then on Veterans Green!
(Photo/Ted Horowitz)
