Memorial Day 2017: Parades, More Planned For Macomb County

MACOMB COUNTY — A number of Macomb County communities will be honoring America’s soldiers this Memorial Day weekend. Here’s a look at what’s happening:

St. Clair Shores - The 65th annual St. Clair Shores Memorial Day Parade that takes place on Jefferson Avenue, starting at Nine Mile Road and proceeding north to 11 Mile. Each year, the festivity attracts about 80,000 people for a two-hour show packed with veterans, military vehicles, elected officials, high school marching bands, private dance studios and more, the Macomb Daily reported.

Often billed as the largest Memorial Day Parade in the Midwest, this parade also has numerous celebrities including former Detroit Lions running back Billy Sims, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser, WJBK-TV (Fox 2) weatherman Rich Luterman, media personality Charlie Langton a flyover by U.S. Air Force jets, followed by a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Detroit Red Wings national anthem singer Karen Newman.

Guests from the Parade Company, Ghost Busters, Grand Prix race cars and sports teams mascots Hooper from the Detroit Pistons and Roary of the Detroit Lions; and more. This year’s grand marshal is Brig. Gen. John Slocum, base commander at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Prior to the parade will be Sailing Through the Shores, a 5k run at noon. The procession will step off at 1 p.m.

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Clinton Township - About 2,000 people are expected to attend a 10 a.m. Monday Mass at Resurrection Cemetery, 18201 Clinton River Road, Refreshments will be served afterward. A Veteran’s Memorial Service and dedication of tablet inscriptions will be held at 11:30 a.m, according to the Macomb Daily.

Bruce Township - The Striber McVicar VFW Post 2052 of Romeo will host its annual Memorial Day Parade at 10 a.m. Monday, the newspaper reported. The procession goes from Main Street to Romeo Cemetery. This year’s guest speaker is Republican Congressman Paul Mitchell.

Eastpointe - Knights of Columbus Council Leo XIII will host an 11 a.m. Monday parade, with marching bands, floats, and military veterans. The parade stars on Gratiot Avenue in front of City Hall and heads north to Stephens, where it turns right to Kennedy Park. A Memorial Day ceremony will be held at noon at the park, followed by a community picnic open to Eastpointe residents, the Macomb Daily reported.

New Baltimore - The 10 a.m. Monday parade starts at Maria and Front Street with a dedication in the Walter & Mary Burke Park and ends at City Hall. Joining in will be military groups, fire departments and cheer squads. Children are invited to decorate their bikes in a patriotic theme. Mayor John Dupray will welcome keynote speaker Stanley Gadawski Jr., a World War II veteran.

Roseville - A 10 a.m. Monday parade will begin on Common Road at Utica Road and proceed east to the plaza at City Hall, where a ceremony will be held honoring 31 men with ties to Roseville who died during the Vietnam War. The procession will include Roseville city leaders, school officials, police and fire personnel, VFW members, cheer teams, Knights of Columbus Honor Guard and more. The Roseville High School Band will perform patriotic tunes.

Shelby Township - A Memorial Day ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Veterans Memorial located across from the main entrance to the municipal building at 52700 Van Dyke Ave. near 24 Mile Road. The event will feature patriotic music, a 21-gun salute by the Shelby Township Police Honor Guard and more. Guest speaker will be World War II veteran Jim D’Amore.

Sterling Heights - The 38th annual Memorial Day Ceremony starts at 9 a.m. Monday at the City Center Courtyard between City Hall, 40555 Utica Road and the Police Department. The ceremony includes 2016 grand marshal Gregory Bowman, a Vietnam War veteran, elected leaders including Mayor Michael C. Taylor along with performances from the Sweet Adelines Great Lakes Chapter and 1st Michigan Colonial Fife & Drum Corps. The 38th annual Memorial Day Parade starts at 10 a.m. from Dodge Park and heads south to Heritage Junior High School.

Photo by Sam Howzit via Flickr Commons.