Preparations Are Underway For The Upcoming Memorial Day Parade!

By Cookie Steponaitis

The following is information for all parties interested in being a part of the 2017 Memorial Day Parade and Vermont’s largest parade on that weekend. Literally thousands of people will be on hand to witness this tradition that has gone on in the Little City for over 50 years, sponsored by American Legion Post # 14. Please read below and direct your questions to the American Legion Post # 14 in Vergennes, Vermont at (802) 877-3216
    The American Legion Post #14 will host the Annual Memorial Day Parade at 11:00 a.m. on Monday May 29, 2017.  Parade participation along the 1.5-mile route is free.
    The theme for this year’s parade is “Service, Honor, & Sacrifice”
    The purpose of the Memorial Day Parade is to honor Veterans for their service to our country.  It is designed to appeal to Veterans and our community.
    All participants are strongly encouraged to prominently display patriotic style decorations to the meet the parade purpose and theme, “Service, Honor, Sacrifice”.
    All floats should arrive at Vergennes Union High School at 9:30AM, floats will be judged at 10:15AM.  Floats will be judged based on theme, workmanship, originality, & general effect. Awards will be announced on the City Green following the ceremony.
    New this year:  A number system will be implemented for all registered participants. To get a number in the lineup, you must fill out a registration form. Registration forms are available on the City of Vergennes Website or at American Legion Post # 14. Forms must be turned in to the Post by May 25th.
    The 1.5-mile parade starts at Vergennes Union High School, west onto Monkton Road, left onto Main Street, left on Maple Street, east on Victory Street, north on Green street, and ends at the City Green in the center of Vergennes
    The Legion has a Memorial Day Service on the Green immediately following the parade.
    No parking is available at Vergennes Union High School.  No candy is to be thrown to the crowd from moving vehicles or floats due to safety concerns.  If you wish to distribute candy, you may have people walking on the outside of your vehicle or float handing out candy.
Important facts about the parade include:
    Each entrant must fill out an entry form.
    Each entrant will be assigned a number for the parade line up when you submit your registration form; you will pick up your number when you check in with the Legion volunteer on the day of the parade.
    All participants are strongly encouraged to prominently display patriotic style decorations to meet the parade theme.
    Parade entrants shall not perform movements or drills that impede the movement of the parade for longer than three minutes.
    Hand delivered advertising is acceptable provided it does not impede the movement of the parade.
    Nothing (including candy, water, gifts, etc.) may be thrown from any moving vehicle or float.
    Parade entries that advertise an individual (i.e. candidates for elections) organization, group, or business are welcome in the parade provided they meet the purpose of the parade as stated in the first paragraph.
    Any animals that are a part of the parade must be well trained and able to be safely controlled under parade conditions.
    Units with horses, dogs, or other animals are asked to provide their own sanitation helpers to the follow the unit and provide clean up along the route as well as in the lineup area.
    Cash prizes are given to floats that meet the following criteria: Parade theme, workmanship, originality, & general effect.  Prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in both junior and adult divisions.   Winners are announced on the City Green following the ceremony.
    Cancellations can be emailed to the Post or called in to the Post 3 days prior to the event.

Please complete and turn in a registration form so that the emcee will be able to announce and identify your entry as you go down Main Street. Post # 14 is looking forward to again seeing you there as part of the parade or one of the thousands lining the parade route.