Brunswick's Memorial Day Parade

The Brunswick-Topsham Memorial Day Parade is an annual event held in Brunswick, Maine, to honour those who lost their lives in the United States Armed Forces. The parade is organised by the Brunswick-Topsham Memorial Day Committee, which includes military service personnel, veterans, school and civic groups, community groups, and municipal leaders. The event typically includes a procession, wreath-laying, and observances, with decorated bikes joining the parade at 9:45 am and concluding with an observance at 11 am at the Brunswick Mall. The parade route usually starts at the Topsham Town Hall, crosses the Brunswick-Topsham bridge, and ends at the Brunswick Mall.

The Brunswick-Topsham Memorial Day parade route

The Brunswick-Topsham Memorial Day Parade is an annual tradition honouring those who lost their lives in the United States Armed Forces. The parade route generally stays the same each year, and the schedule is updated on the official website as the date draws closer. Here is a detailed description of the typical parade route:

The parade commences at 9:00 a.m. at the Topsham Town Hall, with units forming on Monument Place from 7:00 a.m. and lining up on Monument Place from 8:15 a.m. The parade then proceeds towards Brunswick, with participants travelling across the Brunswick-Topsham bridge. A brief observance is held midway through the parade at 9:30 a.m. on the bridge. Decorated bikes join the parade at 9:45 a.m., adding a unique element to the procession. The parade culminates at the Brunswick Mall, where a final observance takes place at 11:00 a.m. to conclude the event.

Road closures typically begin around 8:00 a.m., but it is advisable to check the official schedule for more accurate timing and any changes to the route. The Brunswick-Topsham Memorial Day Committee emphasises that the parade will go ahead regardless of the weather, so participants and spectators should come prepared for the anticipated conditions.

Memorial Day parade history

The Brunswick-Topsham Memorial Day Committee holds an annual parade and observances on the Brunswick Mall to honour and remember those who lost their lives in the United States Armed Forces. The parade route generally stays the same, beginning at the Topsham Town Hall, travelling across the Brunswick-Topsham bridge, and ending at the Brunswick Mall.

Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, is a federal holiday in the United States honouring and mourning US military personnel who died while serving in the Armed Forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May and is considered the unofficial beginning of summer. The day involves visiting cemeteries and memorials to mourn military personnel who died in the line of duty.

The first national observance of Memorial Day occurred on 30 May 1868, proclaimed by Commander in Chief John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic to honour Union soldiers who died in the American Civil War. This followed many local observances that were held between the end of the Civil War and Logan's declaration.

Official recognition as a holiday spread among the states, beginning with New York in 1873. By 1890, every Union state had adopted it. The world wars turned it into a day of remembrance for all US military members who fought and died in service. In 1971, Congress standardised the holiday as Memorial Day and changed its observance to the last Monday in May.

The tradition of parades on Memorial Day dates back to 1865, when the recently freed Black population in Charleston, South Carolina, held a parade of 10,000 people to honour 257 dead Union soldiers. The National Cemetery Administration attributes the beginning of a Memorial Day practice in the South to a group of women of Columbus, Georgia, known as the Ladies Memorial Association of Columbus. In 1866, they decorated the graves of Confederate and Union soldiers.

In 1867, Brooklyn, New York, held what it claims to be the nation's oldest annual Memorial Day parade. Grafton, West Virginia, and Ironton, Ohio, have also held ongoing parades since 1868.

Memorial Day parade schedule

The Brunswick-Topsham Memorial Day Parade is an annual event held in Brunswick, Maine, to honour those who lost their lives in the United States Armed Forces. The parade is organised by the Brunswick-Topsham Memorial Day Committee, which includes military service personnel, veterans, school and civic groups, community groups, and municipal leaders.

The 2024 parade will take place on Monday, May 27, starting at 9 am. Here is the schedule of events:

7:00 am: Units start forming on Monument Place

8:00 am: Route 201 & Main Street will be closed to traffic

8:15 am: Units start to line up on Monument Place

8:45 am: Observance begins at Monument Place

9:00 am: Parade begins towards Brunswick

9:30 am: Observance on the bridge

9:45 am: Decorated bikes enter the parade

11:00 am: Observances at Brunswick Mall begin

The parade route generally stays the same each year. It begins at the Topsham Town Hall and travels across the Brunswick-Topsham bridge, with a brief stop for observances over the river. The parade ends at the Brunswick Mall, where the final observances take place at the Veteran's Memorial Square.

It is important to note that the schedule is tentative and may change due to unforeseen circumstances. For the most up-to-date information, it is recommended to check the Brunswick-Topsham Memorial Day Committee's website and social media accounts closer to the event date.

Memorial Day parade weather plan

The Brunswick-Topsham Memorial Day Parade is an annual tradition honouring those who have fallen and those who gave their last full measure of devotion. The parade will go ahead rain or shine, so come prepared for the weather.

The parade will begin at 9 am with units forming and lining up on Monument Place. The procession will then head towards Brunswick, with an observance on the bridge at 9:30 am. Decorated bikes will enter the parade at 9:45 am, and an observance will be held at 11 am at the Brunswick Mall. The Brunswick-Topsham Memorial Day Parade route generally stays the same each year. The parade begins at the Topsham Town Hall and travels across the Brunswick-Topsham bridge, stopping for brief observances over the river, and ending at the Brunswick Mall.

Road closures will generally begin around 8 am, but please check the schedule for more accurate times. The following roads will be closed for the parade: Route 201 & Main Street, Dresden Avenue (from Church Street to School Street), Lincoln Avenue (from Brunswick Avenue to School Street), and School Street (from Brunswick Avenue to Dresden Avenue).

In the case of inclement weather, please note that the parade will still go ahead as planned. Participants and attendees are advised to come prepared for the anticipated weather conditions. This may include bringing sunscreen, bug spray, and a water bottle.

Memorial Day parade participants

The Memorial Day parade in Brunswick, Maine, is organised by the Brunswick-Topsham Memorial Day Committee. The parade is an annual tradition that honours and remembers those who lost their lives in the United States Armed Forces. The committee encourages participants to register their parade units and organisations online.

The parade typically starts at 9 am, with units forming and lining up on Monument Place. It then proceeds towards Brunswick, with a brief observance held on the bridge at 9:30 am. Decorated bikes enter the parade at 9:45 am, and it concludes with observances at 11 am at the Brunswick Mall. The parade route generally stays the same, beginning at the Topsham Town Hall, travelling across the Brunswick-Topsham bridge, and ending at the Brunswick Mall.

The Brunswick-Topsham Memorial Day Committee emphasises that the parade will take place regardless of the weather, and participants should come prepared for the anticipated conditions. They also provide specific instructions for parade participants, including bringing sunscreen, bug spray, and water bottles. It is also important to review the parade route and be aware of road closures, which typically begin around 8 am.

The committee also reminds participants that the throwing or tossing of candy or any other objects is strictly prohibited during the parade.

Frequently asked questions