Memorial Day Ceremonies and Parade Schedule

This year's Memorial Day parade and ceremonies in Lexington kick off tomorrow at 8:45 a.m., with a wreath-laying and brief ceremony at the Lexington Firefighters Memorial, at Fire Headquarters at 45 Bedford St.

A wreath-laying and ceremony will follow at 9 a.m. at Westview Cemetery, 520 Bedford Street, before the start of the parade.

The Memorial Day parade steps off at 10 a.m., from 1557 Massachusetts Ave. by the police station, and heads east to Munroe Cemetery for wreath-laying and flag-waving at the grave of Thomas Cosgrove, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient.

A wreath ceremony will next be held at the gazebo, including a reading of the Gettysburg Address and General John A. Logan's Orders of the Day.

Next, the parade continues west on Massachusetts Avenue to Cary Memorial Building where wreath-layings will occur at the Korean/Vietnam Memorial and at the Police Memorial in front of the police station.

The parade continues west through town center, for wreath-layings at the World War II Memorial near the visitor's center, and the Soldier's Monument at Buckman Tavern.

The next stop is the Olde Burial Ground behind First Parish Church, after the parade travels from Bedford Street to Harrington Road. A wreath will be laid on the grave of Captain John Parker.

The parade then marches to Battle Green for ceremonies expected to start at 11:20 a.m. State Sen. Ken Donnelly will speak at the ceremony before the parade is dismissed. 

Residents should note that there will be traffic days due to road closures along the parade route. Massachusetts Avenue from the Munroe Cemetery driveway to Battle Green will be passable, but will require extra time for travel between 9:30 a.m. and noon.

From 10 a.m. to noon, Bedford Street will be passable, but delays are also expected.

Camellia Place will be closed from 8:45 to 9 a.m., and Harrington Road will be closed from 10:30 a.m. until around 11:20 a.m. when the parade reaches Battle Green.