For the first time in a long time, there will not be a Memorial Day parade in Ellsworth this year.
The parade is normally organized by the local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter, Post 109, but someone fell ill and participants could not be lined up this year, city officials have said.
On its Facebook page, the VFW put out a request for parade participants on April 30. But two weeks later, the group said that “for lack of participation and other reasons,” the parade would not be held this year.
“We hope to resume the parade next year and make it the best one ever,” the group said.
Officials with the VFW post did not return a voicemail left Wednesday afternoon.
Despite the lack of a parade, supporters have urged area residents to attend Memorial Day ceremonies in the city. Ellsworth officials plan to hold a wreath-laying ceremony at the veterans’ monument next to City Hall. The ceremony, normally held at the end of the annual parade, will be held at 10 a.m. on the holiday, which is Monday, May 27.
“Those who gather will be invited to have a ‘walking parade’ to the Union River Bridge to remember those lost at sea, and back to City Hall,” officials said in a statement.
On Facebook, one area resident, Sarah Bowden, encouraged supporters to gather before the ceremony at the city library, across State Street from City Hall.
“We are rallying the troops and meeting at 9:30 at the library to all walk together to the wreath ceremony and then our own parade to the bridge,” Bowden posted on Facebook. Contact us at [email protected] for any questions. Be Ellsworthy! It’s never too late.”
