Memorial Day Parade to Include 'Argo' Houseguests, Food Truck Area and Traditional Participants

The St. Clair Shores Memorial Day Parade Committee is planning a weekend of activities around the one of the largest Memorial Day parades in the state.

Festivities get underway at 4 p.m. Saturday with a reception at the VFW Bruce Post #1146 for two of the "Houseguests" profiled in the Academy Award winning movie "Argo." 

Former U.S. diplomat Mark Lijek will be speaking about “The Houseguests: A Memoir of Canadian Courage and CIA Sorcery.” Lijek was an officer in the U.S. Army before he took a job with the U.S. Foreign Service and was in Iran in 1979 when the U.S. embassy compound in Iran was attacked.

Lijek, and his wife Cora, escaped the embassy with four others and took refuge at the Canadian ambassador’s residence. The couple will be interviewed in the 8 a.m. hour Sunday on Fox 2, WJBK-TV. 

• The VFW Bruce Post #1146 will hold a Memorial Day Service at 9 a.m. at the Armed Forces Heroes Monument.
• Jefferson will be closed at 11 a.m. along the parade route from 9 Mile - 11 Mile.
• The Eagles Nest food truck rally opens at 11 a.m. behind City Hall. Dāgo Joe's, Jacques' Tacos, Treat Dreams and Peoples Pierogi Collective are scheduled to participate. There will also be a meatball eating contest at 12:30 p.m.
• The Sailing Thru the Shores 5K run/walk starts at noon at Jefferson and 11 Mile. For more information, visit http://www.scsfunrun.org/
• Nearly 200 entries including marching bands, military tributes, floats, civic leaders, celebrities and more. will be the grand marshal. Among the new entries this year are:
  • Mt. Clemens Salvation Army Band
  • Great Lakes Chorus Sweet Adelines 
  • L.A. Cloggers
  • Detroit International Community Band
  • 126th Army Band
  • Fifth Michigan Regiment Civil War Band
  • Television and radio personalities
• After Following the parade, the Lijecks will be at the VFW Bruce Post for the annual post-parade celebration. An authentic Civil War band will be playing at the celebration.