How to go
What: Clark County Memorial Day Parade
When: 9 a.m. May 28
Where: The parade begins downtown at High Street and Fountain Avenue, proceeds north on Fountain, takes a left on McCreight Avenue and ends at Ferncliff Cemetery.
SPRINGFIELD — Every vehicle in Clark County’s annual Memorial Day parade, long touted as one of the biggest in the country, will again be required to bear the name of a veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice.
There are, of course, exceptions, particularly if the vehicle is miniaturized and driven wildly by a retiree wearing a fez — as will be the case this year.
Parade organizers are quick to herald this year’s return appearance of the one and only Shriners.
“They’re a pretty entertaining group,” said parade commander Jim Stewart. “That’s about the only people we waive that (requirement) for.”
Everybody else needs to remember the reason for the season.
Now in his eighth year as parade commander, Stewart instituted the rule about needing to have a deceased service member’s information on each vehicle. He also did away with prizes for best floats.
“The parade isn’t about your trophy,” he said. “It’s about the people (who have) died for this country.”
Last year, he said, 2,500 people participated in the parade, which begins at the intersection of High Street and Fountain Avenue.
Historically, the Shriners bring their clowns and crazy cars to town every other year.
“Last year,” Stewart said, “I almost ran out of street space to line the parade up, and that’s without the Shriners.”
Contact this reporter at amcginn@coxohio.com.
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