2,000 expected to be in this year’s Springfield Memorial Day parade

About 2,000 people and 260 vehicles will participate in the annual Springfield Memorial Day Parade Monday.

Parade Master Jon Stewart said the community will gather again to celebrate and remember those who gave everything for America. The parade will begin at 9 a.m. after a wreath-laying ceremony at Veterans Park.

“The theme is: Honor a Veteran Past and Present,” he said. “Those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and those in the area that served.”

Last year: Springfield Memorial Day parade will have new route

The parade route will be the same as last year. In 2018, the parade made significant changes to its route to open more options to get to the hospital.

The path starts near Veteran’s Bridge, makes a left on North Fountain Ave., another left on McCreight Ave. and a final left turn on Plum Street with the end circling back to Veteran’s Park.

The changes mainly affect anyone who normally sat close to the fire station, heading north on North Fountain Avenue or by City Hall downtown. They will need to find other places to sit again this year.

Stewart said he’s been in constant communication with the police department and there were talks about going back to the old parade route, but officials decided to keep the route the same.

“A lot of groups thought it was better because the end of the route was downhill and in the shade,” Stewart said.

The grand marshal for the parade this year will be Dave Coons. He is a veteran who served as a Navy radio operator during the Korean War. His son is a teacher at Northwestern, Stewart said.

StormCenter 7’s forecasts predict a mix of sun and clouds with highs around 80 degrees. A few storms could bubble up in the afternoon and some could be strong.


How to go

What: Springfield Memorial Day Parade

Where: Downtown Springfield

When: 9 a.m. Monday, May 25

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