Stewart became the Parade Master in 2016 after he took over for his father, Jim Stewart, who had organized the parade since the early 2000s.
“I do not know of it ever being canceled,” Stewart said.
The parade’s organizers decided in March to set a May 1 deadline to make a decision on whether to cancel because that is when “people start buying stuff for floats, working on floats - there are some groups that put a lot of money into it,” Stewart said.
Stewart explained that after discussing the parade with Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck and Clark County Health Commissioner Charlie Patterson, the best decision was to cancel the parade because the gathering restriction is likely to last after Memorial Day.
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Heck explained that the City of Springfield plays a supporting role to the Memorial Day parade.
“I also had conversations with Charlie Patterson,” Heck said. “He also agreed because currently the governor’s orders have extended the no more than 10 gathering requirement and we believe that will extend well beyond Memorial Day.”
The parade’s organizers were considering postponing the parade to the July 4th weekend, but decided to go without the parade this year because Stewart didn’t want the decision to be made “last minute.”
Dale Henry was scheduled to be the grand marshal of this year’s parade.
“The decision to cancel the 2020 Memorial Day parade was difficult given the fact that it is one of Springfield’s best community-wide events - a lot of citizens attend,” Henry said. I was definitely looking forward to serving as this year’s grand marshal.”
Henry, who is also the Commander of American Legion Bailey-Frey Post 125, explained that the events planned for after the parade have been canceled too.
“This year we were planning on dedicating a monument to the United States Colored Troops immediately following the parade at Ferncliff Cemetery.”
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The monument is expected to arrive in May and the dedication is tentatively rescheduled for July, Henry explained.
“We are optimistic families will still find some way to remember and honor all the veterans that have served in the armed forces through the years,” Henry said.
The organizers are also looking to next year.
“I look forward to having a great 2021 parade to help make up for this cancellation,” Stewart said.
Last year, 2,000 people were expected to attend the Memorial Day festivities and 260 vehicles were expected to participate in the parade.
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