Parade, concert: Memorial Day events are planned in Greater Fall River
Memorial Day is the one day of the year set aside to remember the sacrifices of the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. This solemn day became a federal holiday in 1971, and it is held on the last Monday of May each year.
Across the U.S., it is marked by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings, and participating in parades to remember men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. Here are the local events happening to honor and remember this Memorial Day:
Fall River set to honor the brave with weekend of activities
Saturday, May 27: Vietnam Memorial Wall Candlelight Vigil, at 7:15 p.m. a special sunset ceremony will be held. Families and Veterans are encouraged to attend and participate in this beautiful, heartfelt, patriotic ceremony to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice and Prisoners of War and Missing in Action.
Sunday, May 28: The Memorial Parade will kick off from Kennedy Park at the corner of Bradford Avenue and South Main Street, traveling north on South Main Street to Government Center.
At the parade conclusion, the city’s Veterans are hosting a family memorial festival at Battleship Cove. There will be live music by the band DOUBLE SHOT, free burgers, and hot dogs for the children donated by Rolling Thunder and cooked by the Veterans’ Kitchen of Fall River. There will be free popcorn, candy, water, etc. provided for children, as well as face painting, arts and crafts, and other fun activities. Battleship Cove will have its grand opening of its new Helicopter Exhibit with Vietnam War reenactments and the Fall River Carousel will be open with their Lincoln Park ponies. Food and product vendors are permitted at no cost.
Sunday, May 28: Polish War Veterans’ Monument, a Special Veterans’ Mass at Blessed Trinity Church at 8 a.m. followed by a free full-course breakfast in the church hall.
Sunday, May 28: Griffin Monument at Griffin Park at 10:30 a.m.
Monday, May 29: Snake Hill at North Park, War on Terrorism Veterans KIA, at 10 a.m.
Monday, May 29: Miller Monument at 11:30 a.m.
Monday, May 29: Memorial Day Ceremony at noon at the Battleship Cove, 5 Water Street. Where you will experience a traditional military observance, honoring the fallen and Gold Star Families and a 21-gun salute. The ceremony is open to the public at no charge.
Somerset is holding a parade to recognize Memorial Day
Monday, May 29: Memorial Day Parade will kick off at 10 a.m. beginning on Luther Avenue. The route will then travel north on County Street, east on Center Street, south on Riverside Avenue, west on Wood Street, and south on County Street before ending at the VFW Hall.
Swansea will remember with a Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade
Saturday, May 27: Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Green on Gardner's Neck Road, where a traditional wreath placing and Color Guard ceremony will be followed by presentations. If there is inclement weather the ceremony will be moved over to the American Legion Post 303- 73 Ocean Grove Avenue.
Monday, May 29: The Memorial Day Parade will kick off at 1 p.m. Monday from St. Francis of Assisi and continue to Swansea Town Beach.
Tiverton Celebrates Parade to be held Memorial Day weekend
Saturday, May 27: The festivities will start with the Tiverton Celebrates Parade beginning at 10 a.m. and traveling along Main Road and ending at Little Willow Childcare (the old Li'l Bear). The celebration continues at Grinnell's Beach starting at 5 p.m. with music, activities, food trucks, and fun and a fireworks display at 8:45 p.m. The Tiverton Celebrates committee proudly chose Memorial Day weekend as a tribute to honor and remember those who gave their lives to ensure our freedom. Be sure to proudly display your red, white, and blue.
Westport is honoring the brave with wreath laying and a parade
Saturday, May 27: Memorial Day Wreath-Laying Ceremonies include the reading of the memorial poem, laying of wreath/bouquet toss, a rifle salute by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 207 honor guard, and playing of TAPS.
The ceremony schedule is as follows: 9 a.m. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, start at VFW Post 8502 at 843 State Road; 9:15 a.m. American Legion Post at 489 Sanford Road; 9:30 a.m. Latessa Square at the intersection of Tickle Road and Oak Avenue; 10 a.m. Fontaine Bridge, at the bridge on Route 88; 10:15 a.m. Westport Point at the southernmost end of Main Road.
Anyone who wishes to observe the ceremonies should meet in the VFW parking lot no later than 9 AM, or at whichever location they choose at least 10 minutes prior to the designated time.
Monday, May 29: Kick-off for the Memorial Day Parade is 9:30 a.m. at the Town Hall, 816 Main Road. It will continue to Beech Grove Cemetery, 974 Main Road where there will be a ceremony at approximately 10 a.m. at the Veterans Monument.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Memorial Day parades and events planned in Fall River
