Introduction
The Wethersfield Memorial Day Parade will take place Saturday, May 25, 2024 stepping off at 9:00 a.m., followed by a Memorial Day Ceremony at Village Cemetery immediately following the parade.
- This year's theme is the "80th Anniversary of D-Day."
- The Memorial Day committee is once again requesting financial contributions for the Memorial Day and Veterans Day activities this year. We need your support! Any contribution will be deeply appreciated. Information can be obtained from and contributions made to:
- Town of Wethersfield - Memorial Day Celebration
- c/o Parks and Recreation Department
- 505 Silas Deane Highway
- Wethersfield, CT 06109
The Memorial Day Committee would like to encourage all residents to demonstrate their support for the veterans and our country by displaying the American Flag during the weekend.
Contact Information
For more information about the event e-mail the committee at memorial.day@wethersfieldct.gov.
Deceased Veterans Honor Roll
Roll of Honor
Sponsorship / Support
The Memorial Day and Veterans Day Committees would like to thank the Wethersfield business community, organizations and volunteers who have given their support and who are helping to make this year's events memorable. If you would like to consider helping us in any manner, please contact the committee at memorial.day@wethersfieldct.gov.
Memorial Day Ceremonies
The Memorial Day Ceremony will take place in Village Cemetery immediately following the parade, approximately 10:30 a.m.
Memorial Day Address Speaker
In celebration of this year’s theme of “the 80th Anniversary of D-Day” we invited Tom Moore, the American Legion Department of Connecticut State Commander, to be our Memorial Day Speaker.
Tom is a Connecticut native, born in Stamford and raised in New Milford. He currently lives in Fairfield with his wife Nancy.
Tom enlisted and started his military service in August 1983. He completed basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and then graduated as a Commander’s Graduate at Fort Huachuca, Arizona as an interrogator. Tom then qualified as a Russian linguist from the Presidio of Monterey, California.
From California Tom was sent to Ansbach, West Germany, where he was detached for duty along the Czechoslovakian border as liaison with the West German military, customs and law enforcement agencies and the US military.
Upon competition of his military service, Tom went to work for the US Postal Service which he retired from after 27 years.
As a member of the American Legion for 31 years, he has served at the Post, District and Department level in various positions as an officer and a committee Chairman, culminating in his election as Commander in July 2023.
Parade Marshals
This year's parade marshals are Doug Shipman and Tony Martino.
Essay Contest
Silas Deane Middle School students participated in this year's Dan Camilliere Memorial Day essay contest themed "The 80th Anniversary of D-Day."
This year's winners are Adeena Aijaz, Collette Rochideau and Roje Williams.
2024 Winning Essays
memorial Day posters
This year's Memorial Day posters, which are displayed on the first floor of Town Hall, were created by 6th graders at Charles Wright Elementary School.
Flags of Appreciation
In recognition of all veterans, the GFWC/CT of Newington/Wethersfield Womens Club, a member of the General Federation of Womens Clubs, will be displaying a "Flags of Appreciation" to honor our veterans. A series of flags will be displayed in front of the Hurlburt-Dunham house at 212 Main Street during the weekend as a thank you to all our Veterans and members of our Armed Forces.
Information for Marchers for 2024
All marchers are reminded to begin arriving at the line of march beginning at 8:15 a.m. Marchers will be lined up on the grassy area between the DMV and the Solomon Welles House. Vehicles and floats will be lined up in the DMV parking lot and on State Street. Beginning at 8:30 a.m. only parade traffic will be allowed from Hartford Avenue to State Street. Shortly before the parade is to begin traffic will be closed off on State Street from both directions and access to the line of march by vehicle will be prohibited. Group names will be posted and staff will be there to assist you to find your place in the line of march.
Parking at the Department of Motor Vehicles will be for those marching only. Those who are simply dropping off individuals who are marching are asked to drop individuals off and then proceed to exit. Buses and trailers will be directed to the rear parking lot of the DMV.
The line of march will be posted below. It is subject to change.
At the conclusion of the parade, all participants are invited to the ceremony at the Village Cemetery on Marsh Street.
Line of March 2024
TBA
Parade Route 2024
The parade will step off at 9:00 a.m. and will head west on State Street to Nott Street then to Garden Street. It will then proceed down Garden Street, left onto Church Street and then right onto Main Street. The parade will continue on Main Street, then take a left back onto Garden Street to Broad Street. The Reviewing Stand will be on the Broad Street Green. We will then proceed north on Broad Street and cross Marsh Street to the Village Cemetery (behind First Church) for the cemetery services.
Parking 2024
Parking for spectators will be available throughout the parade route. Spectators may also park on any residential street not marked by "no parking" signs. Parking for marchers will be available at the Department of Motor Vehicle on State Street rear lot. The rear parking lot of the DMV will also be available for buses to park during the parade.
Street Closings 2024
Below is a list of street closings and approximate times they will be closed. (All times listed below are approximate.)
- State Street (entire length) — 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
- Nott Street (from Garden Street to State Street) — 8:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
- Garden Street (from Nott Street to Church Street) — 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
- Church Street (from Garden Street to Main Street) — 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
- Main Street (from Church Street to Garden Street) — 9:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
- Garden Street (from Main Street to Broad Street) — 9:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
- Broad Street (west side, from Garden Street north to Marsh Street) — 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
- Marsh Street (from Main Street to Broad Street) — 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
In addition, the following streets will be posted with temporary "No Parking" signs:
- State Street: From Hartford Avenue to the west driveway of DMV — both sides
- Nott Street: Around monument island at Hartford Avenue and Nott Street; from Hartford Avenue to Garden Street — both sides
- Garden Street: From Nott Street to Church Street — both sides
- Church Street: From Garden Street to Main Street — both sides
- Garden Street: From Main Street to Broad Street — both sides
- Broad Street: From Garden Street to Marsh Street — both sides
- Nott Street/State Street intersection
- Nott Street: Between State Street and Garden — both sides
- Main Street: From Church Street to Garden Street — both sides (Saturday morning only)
Rain Plans
In the event of inclement weather, the ceremonies will be moved indoors to Wethersfield High School and will begin at 10:00 a.m. The latest information will be announced on the Parks and Recreation Department program information line at (860) 721-2890. An announcement will also be posted in the announcements area of the home page of the town web site.