Some Memorial Day events ‘back to normal,’ but many cancel, stay virtual
Memorial Day in Connecticut will bring far more parades and traditional in-person ceremonies than last year did, but many communities have still called off their processions because of the pandemic.
Among the communities where this year’s Memorial Day parades are canceled are Bristol, Burlington, Canton, Hamden, Manchester, Mansfield, Newington, Plainville, Simsbury, Southington, West Hartford and Wethersfield.
And with guidance from health agencies changing fast this month, communities are taking a variety of approaches: Some plan parades but so far make no mention of COVID-19 restrictions, others are holding processions or large gatherings with requests that everyone wear masks and stay distant.
At least three communities — Canton, West Hartford and Vernon — are either videoing or livestreaming small, invitation-only ceremonies that residents may view from their homes. Farmington is merging its Unionville and Farmington processions
into one for this year, and Simsbury plans a concert of patriotic music, a ceremony and a celebration — but requires pre-registration for all of it to ensure social distancing.
Some towns are even preparing to change the rules on the fly, if necessary.
“Traditionally in case of rain, one single ceremony is held at 10 a.m. in the Town Hall council chambers,” Windsor advises
on its website. “Stay tuned for details as we gather more information from the governor’s office in the coming days regarding large indoor gatherings.”
Windsor plans a parade and a flag ceremony, but notes “Those attending these outdoor events are encouraged to keep social distance and wear masks when warranted.”
Woodbury also will go ahead with its parade, but asks for cooperation from marchers and spectators.
“We ask that the children please wear masks and stay socially distant, as they do presently in school, as well as at sporting games and events, and that all participants follow the state safety protocols in place at the time of the parade,” parks and recreation Director Jenifer Miller said.
Hamden advises that for its ceremony, “Social distancing and event capacity protocols will be in place and attendees are required to wear face masks and coverings, and maintain respective distances of 6 feet between other persons.”
In Simsbury, where the annual parade is canceled, residents are invited to the Performing Arts Center for a ceremony followed by a celebration. But even with a capacity of 2,000 people, the town wants everyone to pre-register.
“The Simsbury Performing Arts Center will be set up to facilitate COVID restrictions and allows an audience of up to 2,000 attendees,” the town’s website says. “There will be 8-feet diameter circles laid out in the lawn for
families and their lawn chairs. The circles are 6 feet apart to provide the required social distancing. Masks are required at all times at the event except when you are actively eating or drinking.”
In some communities, announcements that the parades were canceled set off a series of angry social media postings — largely aimed at town officials. But often, the decisions about whether to go ahead were made by veterans’ councils, American Legion or VFW posts, or other private groups that organize the processions.
Some of the parades planned in Connecticut:
■ Avon: The Avon parade is set for May 31 starting at 11 a.m. at Sperry Park on Simsbury Road.
■ Berlin: Berlin’s Memorial Day parade is May 29 starting at 9 a.m. from the St. Paul’s Church in Kensington and proceeds down Farmington Avenue.
■ Bloomfield: The parade is May 31 at 11:30 from Mountain View Cemetery, following the Memorial Day ceremony that starts at 10 a.m.
■ Burlington: Memorial Day ceremonies will be May 31 at 10 a.m. at Burlington’s Center Cemetery.
■ Coventry: The parade in Coventry will be May 30 at 10 a.m. along Main Street.
■ Cromwell: Cromwell’s parade on May 30 will follow its 11:30 a.m. Memorial Day ceremony at the World War I Memorial Green opposite police headquarters.
■ East Hartford: The East Hartford Veterans Commission sponsors a flag-placing ceremony May 22 at 8 a.m. at Hillside Cemetery.
■ Farmington: A parade will be held May 31 at 10 a.m. starting at Sanford and Hawley on Farmington Avenue in the Unionville section. It will proceed to town hall.
■ Glastonbury: The Glastonbury Veterans Service Commission has scheduled its parade for May 31 at 9 a.m. starting at Welles Street and Main Street.
■ Hamden: Hamden plans a ceremony May 31 at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Monument at 2623 Dixwell Ave.
■ Mansfield: The Memorial Day ceremony begins May 31 at 9:30 a.m. in the New Mansfield Center Cemetery.
■ Middletown: Marchers in the Middletown parade step off May 31 at 10:30 a.m. from St. John’s Square and go to the South Green. There will be a ceremony at 2 p.m. at the State Veterans Cemetery.
■ New Britain: The parade starts at 6 p.m. on May 30 at Broad and Burritt streets. Earlier in the day, New Britain will hold a series of services at 11 veterans monuments starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 12:30 p.m.
■ North Haven: The American Legion Post 76 parade is set for May 29 starting at 10:30 a.m. at North Haven High School and ending at the Green across from town hall.
■ Orange: Orange will hold a parade following the Memorial Day ceremonies May 30 at 10:30 a.m. at the High Plains Community Center gazebo.
■ Plymouth: Marchers in Plymouth’s parade will step off May 31 at 10:30 a.m. from the Terryville Fire Department headquarters and go to Veterans Memorial in Baldwin Park.
■ Rocky Hill: The town’s parade steps off May 31 at 9:30 a.m. from Rocky Hill High School.
■ Simsbury: The town will sponsor music by marching bands on May 31 at noon at the Performing Arts Center, followed by Memorial Day ceremonies at 1 p.m. Pre-registration is required through tinyurl.com/f4a2pjem.
■ Waterbury: The city’s Veterans Memorial Committee plans a ceremony May 30 at 1 p.m. on the Green.
■ West Hartford: West Hartford’s ceremony will air May 31 at 10:30 a.m. on Comcast channel 5 and Frontier channel 6098, and will be YouTube. In addition, the American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post 96 will hold a brief ceremony at the Veterans Memorial at North Main Street and Farmington Avenue May 31 at 10:30 a.m.
■ Wethersfield: A wreath laying is planned for May 29 at 10 a.m. at Northbrick Green at Nott Street and Hartford Avenue, followed at 11 a.m. by a Memorial Day ceremony at Village Cemetery.
■ Windsor: Windsor’s parade will begin after the 9 a.m. ceremonies at the Veteran’s Cemetery and go to town hall.
■ Woodbury: Woodbury’s parade is set for May 30 starting at 2 p.m. at the Woodbury Middle School and ending at the Cannon Green.