The Darien Memorial Day Parade will start at 10 a.m., Monday, May 31, at Goodwives Shopping Center, go through downtown and end at Spring Grove Cemetery.
Traffic detours and restrictions will be in effect at some locations as early as 8 a.m., Darien police said.
The parade grand marshal will be Peter Kenyon, and Sharad Samy will deliver the Memorial Day speech after the parade at the Veterans Cemetery at Spring Grove Cemetery. The post-parade ceremony is expected to begin at 11:30 a.m.
At 12 noon, Darien Police will conclude the 40th anniversary observance of Officer Kenneth Bateman’s death in the line of duty. The observance takes place at Police Headquarters on Hecker Avenue, across the street from the Veterans Cemetery.
NO FOOD FAIR
There will be NO Darien EMS-Post 53 food fair at the conclusion of this year’s parade. Instead, the organization has announced. Here’s the announcement on Facebook:
“Post 53 is conducting a Memorial Day fundraiser in place of our annual Food Fair! Post 53 is an entirely volunteer run organization that relies on the generosity of our community to purchase supplies and equipment that allow us to continue to serve the town of Darien. Please consider purchasing a Food Fair to-go package in support of Post 53 by [5 p.m.] Wednesday, May 26. Click the link [here] today for more details and to place your order.”
The Post 53 website has additional information: “We invite you to support Post 53 by purchasing a Food Fair-to-Go Grill Package including the fan favorites from the Food Fair. As an all-volunteer organization, Post 53 depends entirely on the support of the community to purchase life-saving equipment and supplies for patient care. […] Orders are available for pickup on Sunday May 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.”
From a Darien Police Department announcement:
SAFETY
The Darien Police Department will be deploying additional assets to the parade. As a safety precaution, spectators are asked to avoid bringing backpacks or large bags to the event.
PARADE ROUTE
The parade will step off from Goodwives Shopping Center on Old Kings Highway North at 10 a.m., proceeding up Brookside Road and turning left onto Post Road.
The parade will proceed westbound on Post Road and end in the area of Spring Grove Cemetery.
TRAFFIC AND PARKING RESTRICTIONS
In order to provide a safe environment and to accommodate parade participants and spectators, Darien Police advise the following:
—There will be no on-street parking on Sedgwick Avenue, Mechanic Street or Old Kings Highway North near the entrance to Goodwives Shopping Center.
—The Brookside Road and Old Kings Highway North approaches to Goodwives Shopping Center will be closed to all vehicular traffic at 8 a.m.
—All vehicles participating in the parade must enter Goodwives Shopping Center via Sedgwick Avenue or Mechanic Street.
—Persons dropping off parade participants must use Sedgwick Avenue or Mechanic Street.
—No vehicles will be allowed to travel on Post Road from Interstate-95 entrance 13 westbound to Old Kings Highway South during the parade.
—Old Kings Highway South from Goodwives River Road to Post Road will be posted a “no parking” area.
—Spectators are reminded to remain on sidewalks, curbsides, or as close as practical to the roadway edge throughout the duration of the parade. This is necessary to ensure the safety of viewers and marchers alike.
—Drivers are advised to avoid the downtown area during the parade. A large contingent of Darien police officers will be assigned to traffic posts before and during the parade.
SEE ALSO:
—Memorial Day Parade Order of March and Ceremony Program Announced (May 28)
—Ceremonies Commission Names Darien’s 2021 Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshal, Keynote Speaker (May 18)
—Police Department to Mark 40th Anniversary of Officer Kenneth E. Bateman’s Death in the Line of Duty (May 24)
—Darien Democrats Invited to March in the Memorial Day Parade (May 28)