VERGENNES — American Legion Post 14 has announced that the 2019 theme of Vermont’s largest Memorial Day Parade is Now & Forever, We Remember. The purpose of the Memorial Day Parade is to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
American Legion Department of Vermont Senior Vice-Commander and American Legion Commander of Bristol Post 19 Ron LaRose will serve as the Parade Marshall. Fort Ticonderoga Curator Matthew Keagle will serve as the keynote speaker. The parade is hosted by American Legion Post 14 and will be held on Monday, May 27, at 11 a.m., beginning at Vergennes Union High School and winding its way through the Little City. The parade will conclude with a formal Memorial Day remembrance on the park in Vergennes beginning at approximately 12:30 p.m.
Each entrant, whether in the antique tractors, classic cars, motorized units, float category, walking/marching, fire departments, rescue squads or military, must complete an entry form.
Following the parade, American Legion Post 14 will hold a chicken barbeque at the post beginning at noon for $10 a plate.
Copies of the parade entry form and the rules and regulations can be found on the Vergennes Partnership website at vergennesdowntown.org or by stopping by Post 14. As in the past, this year there will be a number system and each participant will be assigned a number when the parade line up is created. You will receive your number when you check in with the Legion volunteer when arriving at VUHS on the morning of the parade. The number will indicate the position in the lineup. Parade entrants (not including bands) should not perform movements or drills that impede the movement of the parade for longer than three minutes.
Per the Vergennes Police Department, no candy, water or gifts can be thrown from moving vehicles or floats. Units with horses, dogs and other animals are asked to provide their own sanitation helpers to follow the unit and clean up along the route as well as in the lineup area.
Cash prizes are given to floats that meet the following criteria: parade theme, workmanship, originality and general effect. Prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in both junior and adult divisions. Winners are announced on the City Green following the ceremony. Prize checks will be mailed the following day to the address on the registration form.
If there are any questions please reach out to Martha Sullivan DeGraaf or Commander Ralph Wenzel at American Legion Post 14 Parade Committee, 100 Armory Lane, Vergennes, Vermont 05491, email [email protected] or call 802-877-3216.