Parades, movies return from pandemic pause

Two Middletown staples, holiday parades and free summer movies, are returning this year thanks to an army of volunteers and community sponsors.

Jeri Lewis, organizer of the events, made a presentation at last week’s City Council meeting, and members thanked her and the volunteers for their continued efforts.

The Memorial Day Parade kicks off at 10 a.m. May 30 from Smith Park, travels down Verity Parkway and ends at Woodside Cemetery where a ceremony will be held. Kenneth Baldwin, a Vietnam veteran who retired from AK Steel after 33 years, has been selected as grand marshal.

Lewis called him “a perfect fit” for the honor.

Lewis showed council members pictures of previous parades with the streets lined with families.

“That’s what small town America should look like,” she told council. “Building relationships with each other.”

On May 28, Lewis said, volunteers from several organizations will place flags on the graves of every veteran buried at Woodside. She said that effort shows “truly what Memorial Day is about.”

The July 4th Parade starts at 10 a.m. at Smith Park and ends at Woodside. This year’s theme is “Middletown Through the Decades,” and participates are encouraged to dress up in