Mentor announces changes to Memorial Day parade, ceremony

Mentor officials will be keeping the city’s annual Memorial Day Procession & Ceremony tradition alive this year, but with some adjustments to allow for social distancing.

The event will be held on May 25 with the following changes:

• Procession: This year’s observance will include a vehicular procession beginning at 9:30 a.m. and will be comprised of cars only. No motorcycles, buses, bicycles or pedestrians will be allowed.

All are invited to participate. Participants are to assemble at Memorial Middle School located at 8979 Mentor Ave. at 9 a.m.

Mentor Police will be on hand to form the parade line, manage traffic and lead the procession.

The parade route will head north out of the parking lot and then wind through the Mentor Municipal Cemetery in front of the Vietnam War Memorial before ultimately exiting on Jackson Street.

For everyone’s safety, participants are required to remain in their cars at all times and asked to exit the cemetery immediately after the parade, following guidance from traffic control officers.

• Ceremony: The ceremony will be conducted at 10 a.m. in front of the Vietnam War Memorial at the Mentor Municipal Cemetery. Due to mass gathering restrictions in effect in Ohio, this event is closed to the public, but will be broadcast live on the Mentor Channel, Facebook and YouTube.

It will also be rebroadcast throughout the week and posted on social media for those unable to watch live.

“Memorial Day is an important holiday in the city of Mentor,” Community Relations Administrator Ante Logarusic said. “Each year, we honor the sacrifice so many have given to protect our freedoms and we feel it is imperative to continue this tradition without pause.”

For more information, contact Mentor Parks & Recreation Department at parks@cityofmentor.com.