Memorial Day Parade In Douglaston Returns After Pandemic Pause

QUEENS, NY — Hoards of people will march down Northern Boulevard Monday for the first Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade in three years.

The 90-plus year old parade, which was canceled amid the pandemic, will begin at 2 p.m. on May 30 at Jayson Avenue and Northern Boulevard, just over the Long Island border.

Elected officials, veteran groups and others will march down Northern Boulevard — rain or shine — along a one-mile course ending with refreshments and a brief closing ceremony at the Divine Wisdom Catholic Academyparking lot in Douglaston on 245th Street.

Refreshments include free (but limited) treats from local merchants, hot dogs, burgers from White Castle and more, organizers said.

Neighbors in northeast Queens have a front row seat for watching the parade, but that also means some road closures on Northern Boulevard between Westmoreland Street and 247th Street as of 2 p.m., police said.

The parade isn't the only part of the Memorial Day event, though, which starts several hours earlier about 10 a.m. with an interfaith service at Community Church of Douglaston, located at 46-16 Little Neck Parkway.

Afterwards, about 11:15 a.m., there will be a wreath laying ceremony about a half mile away at the Monument Park, located at the corner of Alameda Avenue and Northern Boulevard.

Then, at 11:45 a.m., Father Smith Hall down the street will be transformed into a dining room for a breakfast for veterans.

Find out more about the Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade here.