Cromwell Memorial Day parade set for Thursday

CROMWELL — The 2019 Cromwell Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade will be held on Thursday, May 30, starting at 6 p.m. Participants should arrive no later than 5:15 p.m.

Special guests will include Man of the Year Doug Sienna, Woman of the Year and Cromwell Teacher of the Year Christi Dooley, and Grand Parade Marshal Larry Anderson, Past Commander Post #105 American Legion. This year’s Honorary Parade Marshal will be Edward Mann, who spent many years working at the state capitol and was the Irish Man of the Year at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The guest speaker will be John Panicek, Sgt. 1st Class US Army and a fellow member of American Legion Post #105.

This year’s master of ceremonies will be Ed Wenners, Lt. Col. U.S. Army Ret. The invocation will be provided by Rev. Douglas G.J. Van Veldhuisen, pastor of the First Congregational Church. Jenna Liseo, CHS Student Council president, will read a memorial recitation.

Musician Richard Donohue will sing. Echo Taps will be performed by Timothy Falt and Kaiden Allen. Appearing in the parade for the first time will be the Cromwell Middle School band. Also welcomed will be the Cromwell High School girls basketball team, 2019 champions.

The parade route is as follows: beginning from West Street, up Main Street, to New Lane, New Lane to West Street, down West Street to original starting point. Parking is available at the Town Hall, behind St. John Church, and on New Lane at the former Pierson’s property.

In case of rain, the Memorial Day ceremony will be held in the Town Hall gym. For binformation, contact Parade Marshal Al Waters at 860930-7812.