Major Memorial Day Events Slated In West Hartford

Town of West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Like most municipalities, West Hartford Monday is honoring the men and women who died while serving their country.

West Hartford is hosting its annual Memorial Day Parade, on Monday, May 27, at 10 a.m.

It follows a tradition established by returning West Hartford veterans from World War I.

Assembly of parade units will take place at 9:30 AM in designated areas west of Woodrow Street on Farmington Avenue and ends at West Hartford Town Hall, 50 S. Main St.

The parade lasts about 45-60 minutes. If the weather is inclement, the parade is canceled and there is no rain date. An announcement will be made on the town's website.

This year's grand marshal and keynote speaker at the ceremony is Mike Cabrey, a retired US Army Colonel with 30 years of active duty service.

Commissioned in May 1986 from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, he served in various artillery positions, leading and commanding from the platoon through brigade level.

From 2003-04, he commanded and led more than 750 soldiers in direct combat operations in Ramadi, Iraq.

While serving in the Army, he earned the Bronze Star, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Ranger Tab.

He has two master's degrees in advanced military studies and international relations.

Parade Participants

All participating groups marching in the parade should report to their line-up location no later than 9:30 a.m.

The parade begins promptly at 10 a.m.

For participant instructions, go to www.WestHartfordCT.gov/MemorialDayParade; email Renee McCue at renee@westhartfordct.gov; or call 860-561-7521.

Parade Parking

There is free parking all day at all municipal parking sites and municipal garages on Memorial Day.

Municipal parking will resume normal operation on Tuesday, May 28, at 6 a.m.

In preparation for the Memorial Day parade, the town will implement a parking ban along the parade route starting at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, May 27.

On-street parking will be prohibited on the west side of Pleasant Street from Whitman Avenue to Farmington Avenue; on Farmington Avenue, both sides, from Walden Street to Raymond Road; and on North Main Street and South Main Street, both sides, from Brace Road to Burr Street.

The town will lift the parking ban following the parade's conclusion at about 11 a.m.

Memorial Day Ceremony

Immediately following the parade, a brief Memorial Day ceremony is slated.

The event occurs at the Veterans Memorial, which is at the corner of North Main Street and Farmington Avenue, at about 11 a.m.

If it rains, the ceremony will be held in the West Hartford Town Hall Auditorium, 50 S. Main St., at 11 a.m.

Watch on TV

Thanks to West Hartford Community Interactive, these two events will be available for viewing residents via Comcast channel 5, Frontier channel 6098, and YouTube.