Submitted by Tom Kranz
The 2018 Scotch Plains-Fanwood Memorial Day Parade Committee has announced that its annual concert and parade will be held on Sunday, May 27, and Monday, May 28, respectively. The concert is entitled “A Tribute to Fallen Heroes.” The theme of this year’s parade is “Remember and Honor All Those Who Sacrificed.”
Memorial Day Concert (Sunday, May 27)
The seventh annual Memorial Day Concert will take place May 27 on the northside lawn at the Fanwood train station, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Westfield Community Band will play patriotic tunes and traditional marches. The program will include the reading of letters written by members of the U.S. military to their loved ones back home.
Memorial Day Ceremonies (Monday, May 28)
There will be a memorial service on May 28 and presentation of wreaths at 9 a.m. at the Fanwood Memorial Library at 5 Forest Road, Fanwood, New Jersey. A memorial tribute and laying of wreaths will take place at 10 a.m. at the gazebo on Park Avenue and Front Street in downtown Scotch Plains.
Memorial Day Parade (Monday, May 28)
Starting at 10:45 a.m. at the gazebo in downtown Scotch Plains, the 2018 Memorial Day Parade will proceed along Park Avenue to Martine Avenue into downtown Fanwood. The parade ends at La Grande Park in Fanwood.
The annual parade is funded by the Township of Scotch Plains and the Borough of Fanwood. The concert is presented through the generosity of local donors – individuals, businesses and community organizations – that underwrite the expenses of staging the concert.
Last year’s parade was cancelled due to inclement weather. However, last year’s parade marshals will also be featured this year since they never got a chance to march. They are Ed Miller and Joe Nagy. A third, Alan Ebersole, passed away since then, but will also be remembered.
For those individuals or organization interested in participating in the parade or making a donation to support the concert, please contact Bob LaCosta at the Township of Scotch Plains at 908-939-8448 or blacosta@scotchplainsnj.com.
