Roseville cancels Memorial Day Parade
The COVID-19 crisis has forced the cancellation of the Memorial Day Parade in Roseville, according to event organizers.
Matt Belz of the parade committee said in an email that city officials informed the group Tuesday night the May 25 procession and related activities will not be held this year due to ongoing concerns over coronavirus cases.
“While we as a committee are saddened that we won’t be able to celebrate our veterans in our usual fashion, we understand this move by the city was necessary for the health and safety of the participants and attendees,” Belz said in a statement posted on Facebook.
He said the Roseville Memorial Day Parade Committee looks forward to honoring veterans and celebrating Memorial Day with the community in 2021.
Spokespersons for other Macomb County communities that host Memorial Day parades such as St. Clair Shores and Sterling Heights say their events are still scheduled to proceed. Those plans could change, they added.
St. Clair Shores’ 68th annual parade is expected to take place on Sunday, May 24 on Harper Avenue, from Nine Mile to 11 Mile roads. It is considered the largest Memorial Day parade in Michigan, attracting about 80,000 for a threehour show filled with veterans, military vehicles, elected officials, high school marching bands, and entertainers.
Melanie Davis, community relations director for Sterling Heights, said the city’s parade has not been cancelled. She said city officials will be discussing April and May events in the coming days.
Parades are also usually held in Bruce Township, Eastpointe and New Baltimore, with related activities taking place in Clinton and Shelby townships.
On Monday, the White House announced new guidelines for the next two weeks as public health officials are urging Americans to avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 people people. Officials are also saying people should avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips and social visits for at least the next couple of weeks.