Ultimate guide: Memorial Day events in and around Stark County
Possibly thought of more as the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day is a time of remembrance honoring those who gave their lives in service to this country.
While Memorial Day brings barbecues, sales and graduation parties, there are also parades, cemetery visits and ceremonies for those who mark the day more traditionally.
It has been a federal holiday since 1971, but Memorial Day’s history stretches back to the Civil War when it was known as Decoration Day. May 30 was designated "for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.”"
This year, Memorial Day will be marked on May 30. Until 1971, Memorial Day was always marked on May 30. That year, Congress established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May and a federal holiday.
Here's a look at area Memorial Day parades and events:
Alliance
The parade will start at 10 a.m. May 30 on East Main Street and will follow its regular route from Union Avenue to Diehl Court and end at Alliance City Cemetery. Groups can register until May 29 to walk in the parade.
A tribute to Gold Star families will be at 2 p.m. May 28 at Silver Park. Members of Gold Star families who have purchased banners through the city's Honoring Hometown Heroes project will be recognized. The event will feature music, testimonials from families, and the unveiling of a new memorial stone next to the 9/11 memorial in Silver Park and remarks from Mayor Alan Andreani and the state commander of the American Legion. Following the ceremony, refreshments will be served in Miller Pavilion.
Beach City
The Beach City American Legion 549 parade and ceremony will be May 30 starting 10 a.m. at Beach City Community Park and ending at the cemetery for a ceremony with Desert Storm/Purple Heart veteran Larry Glasgow as guest speaker.
Any veterans, organizations or townspeople who want to join in the parade are welcome to participate. For more information, call 330-340-1159. Lineup will start as early as 9 a.m. at the park. No political parties will be accepted. A free community lunch will be at the Legion Hall following the memorial services until 1 p.m.
Brewster
The village of Brewster is hosting a public service at 11:15 a.m. May 30 at village square. The Fairless High School band is scheduled to perform patriotic music as part of the ceremony. Retired Judge Richard Reinbold is the honorary speaker.
Canal Fulton
The parade steps off at 1 p.m. May 30 from Lindsay Concrete, 6845 Erie Ave., goes north on Canal Street, turns onto East Market Street and ends at City Hall for a ceremony, with a rifle squadron and the Northwest High School band.
Canton
The parade will begin at 10 a.m. May 30 at the McKinley Downtown Campus (formerly Timken High School), travel west on Tuscarawas Street, north on Elgin Avenue NW and conclude with an observance ceremony at the McKinley National Memorial.
East Canton
Lowell D. Oberly American Legion Post 667 will host a parade that will begin at 10 a.m. May 30. Lineup forms at the corner of Browning and Noble streets by 9:30 a.m. If you or your group would like to participate, contact the post commander.
Green
The parade will step off at 10 a.m. May 30 from Green High School, 1474 Boettler Road. The parade route goes east on Boettler Road to Massillon Road south (southbound lanes only) to Steese Road west to the Green Intermediate School, and back to the Green High School parking lot via Bulldog Boulevard. The ceremony begins at 12:30 p.m. at the Green Veterans Memorial Park, 1900 Steese Road.
Parking for the ceremony is available at Fire Station No. 1 (handicap parking only), John Torok Senior/Community Center, Queen of Heaven Church, and the Anthony Funeral Home. Steese Road will be shut down to traffic during the ceremony. The car show and picnic will begin immediately following the ceremony and end at 3 p.m.
Hartville
The ceremony will be at 10 a.m. May 28 at Hartville Memorial Park. The procession from Village Hall to the park will be around 9:45 a.m.
Magnolia
The parade will form at the Finefrock/Gordon Funeral Home parking lot at 10:40 a.m. May 30. Sandy Valley American Legion Post 432 will conduct services beginning at 11 a.m. at the Magnolia Cemetery, off Harrison Avenue. The speaker will be David Fischer, superintendent of Sandy Valley Schools. The Sandy Valley High School Senior Band will perform.
All are welcome. All veterans and veterans organizations are encouraged to join in the services. All Scout troops, 4-H clubs and other youth organizations are urged to join the parade and memorial services.
Marlboro Township
The parade will be at 1 p.m. May 30. Lineup will start at noon on St. Peters Church Road. A memorial service will follow at Marlboro Cemetery immediately after the parade. Guest speaker is Debbie White, with special music by Jeff Baker. The Gettysburg Address will be presented by Marlboro Elementary School fifth grade student council.
Massillon
The parade will form May 30 near the intersection of Eighth Street NE and Lincoln Way E, start at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at Veterans Memorial Park. The ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park will begin at about 10:30 a.m. The speaker will be Christopher Craft.
An ensemble from the Tiger Swing Band will perform. Veterans escorted by color guard members will place wreaths at monuments throughout Veterans Memorial Park to honor various branches of service.
Minerva
Services will be May 30 at Moultrie Chapel, 23577 state Route 172, according to the West Township Memorial Association. The chapel is two miles east of New Franklin, north of Minerva. It is two miles east of the intersection of state Routes 183 and 172.
The march to decorate the graves will begin at 2 p.m., led by the Don V. Cross American Legion Post 357 from Minerva. The Minerva Community Band will perform patriotic music and taps. United Elementary School fifth grader Myla French will recite the Gettysburg Address.
The program inside the chapel will include speaker Frank Kemp Sr. from Canton. Kemp was the Stark County Veteran of the Year in 2019. Barb Burchett will provide special music, and Joseph Ellis will lead the congregation in group singing. Ice cream will be served after the program.
The Memorial Day program at the Valley Street Cemetery will begin at 10 a.m. May 30. A brief ceremony will be held by VFW Post 4120 at the cemetery with the 3 Volley Salute and taps.
Services at East Lawn Cemetery, East Line Street, will begin at 10:30 a.m. May 30. The program will include speaker Congressman Bill Johnson. Ariana Drake, a student from Minerva Middle School, will give the Gettysburg Address, and the Minerva High School Concert Band will do a patriotic musical selection. Jason Jackson will offer the invocation and benediction. VFW Post 4120 will provide the 3 Volley Salute, taps, and the laying of the wreath.
Navarre
The parade steps off at 1 p.m. May 30 on Canal Street West, in front of Village Hall, then travels up Main Street to Wooster Street, turning left on Columbiana Street to the cemetery. The observance begins after the parade.
New Franklin
The parade will begin at 10 a.m. May 30. It will step off from Grace Bible Church, 5781 Manchester Road, and go about one mile south on Manchester Road to Manchester Cemetery. A ceremony will take place at the cemetery immediately following the parade.
Participants should contact Christine Lippincott at the city of New Franklin, newfranklin.org, to register. Lineup begins at 9 a.m. Parking and restrooms are available at Grace Bible Church and Lockhart Field.
North Canton
The Lions Club is hosting the parade beginning at 9 a.m. May 30 at the North Canton Hoover Football Stadium parking lot. It continues down Seventh Street to Main Street, where it goes south and ends at Bitzer Park. Frank Kemp Sr. is this year’s honorary grand marshal. Mayor Stephan Wilder will conduct a brief ceremony at Bitzer Park following the parade, about 10 a.m.
Paris Township
The Memorial Day program at Liberty Cemetery, Blade Road, will be at 1:30 p.m. May 29. State Rep. Reggie Stoltzfus of Paris Township will speak. Rachal Weaver, a student from Minerva Middle School, will give the Gettysburg Address and the Minerva Middle School Band will do a patriotic musical selection. VFW Post 4120 will provide the 3 Volley Salute and taps.
Perry Township
Perry Township Rotary and Perry Local Schools will host Operation Flags of Freedom Heroes Remembrance Ceremony at 9 a.m. May 28 at Perry High School Fallen Heroes Memorial, 3737 13th St. SW. Community members are invited to a tribute of honor, respect and gratitude to veterans, military service members, first responders and law enforcement. Continental breakfast will be served. RSVP to Lisa@mypeaceandfuture.com. If inclement weather occurs, the event will be held inside Perry High School.
Perry Township Flags of Freedom Hero 5K Run/Walk is a looped 3.1-mile run-walk along 13th Street from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. May 30. More information: www.herorun5krunwalk.com. The event is limited to 300 participants. Register at https://ohiochallengeseries.enmotive.com/events/register/2022-hero-run-5k-run-walk.
Waynesburg
The parade will form at the American Legion Hall, 166 E. Lisbon St., at 9 a.m. May 30. Sandy Valley American Legion Post 432 will conduct services beginning at 10 a.m. at the Sandy Valley Cemetery. The speaker will be David Fischer, superintendent of Sandy Valley Local Schools. The Sandy Valley High School Senior Band will perform. All are welcome.
All veterans and veterans organizations are encouraged to join in the services. All Scout troops, 4-H clubs and other youth organizations are urged to join the parade and memorial services.
Wilmot
The Wilmot Cemetery Association will conduct the annual observance at Greenlawn Cemetery, Sandusky Drive SW (Route 250) starting at 8:45 a.m. May 30. Due to safety concerns and the temporary closure of Route 250, there will not be a parade.
The Beach City American Legion Weimer-Widder Post 549 will conduct ceremonies honoring all veterans, including the reading of the Roll of Honor of veterans who are buried in the cemetery. The guest speaker will be Stark County Commissioner Richard Regula. The Fairless High School Marching Band will perform.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair. Parking within the cemetery grounds will be limited to vehicles with handicapped placards. In case of inclement weather, the event will be at Faith Christian Academy, 511 W. Main St.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: A guide to Memorial Day events in around around Stark County
