Malvern Memorial Parade: One Of The Oldest Parades In America

MALVERN, PA — The historical borough of Malvern will celebrate Memorial Day with the borough's 153rd annual parade at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 4.

Recognized as among the oldest memorial commemoration in America, the parade in 2023 will continue the tradition of honoring the men and women who have served our country and especially those who gave their lives in defense of our freedom.

The parade route will again follow King Street from the Malvern Fire Station west to Warren Avenue, south to Monument Avenue then west to the Memorial Park.

In 1817, 40 years after the war, the first official parade commemorating the anniversary of the Massacre was held.

More than 400 volunteer troops in eight militia units from three counties participated.

In the unlikely event of rain, there is no rain date for the parade or any of the activities.

Free parking is available at the SEPTA station and several lots at Memorial Park. Rest facilities and refreshments will be available at Memorial Park.

Here are more activities for the Memorial Day celebration:

• Radnor Memorial Day Parade: 9:45 a.m. Runnymede and South Wayne avenues. Antique cars will be on display. There is a memorial day display case exhibit in the Radnor Memorial Library, 114 West Wayne Ave., Wayne, PA. 19087
• Moshulo 90’s Dance Party: 10 p.m. Sunday, May 28: A 90s dance party. Meet at 401 Christopher Columbus Blvd. Philadelphia; Top 40 HipHop throwbacks.
• West Chester Train: Ride the train through scenic Chester County from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 28. Take a round-trip ride to Glen Mills while remembering those who served our great country, Meet at 230 E. Market St, West Chester. More information is available at 610-430-2233.

The history of Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, dates back to 1868, when Gen. John A. Logan called for a day of remembrance to honor the Northern lives lost amid battle during the Civil War that had ended just a few years earlier, according to History.com.

As time passed, more and more people called it Memorial Day, and it became a federal holiday in 1971.

Waterloo, N.Y., is considered the birthplace of Memorial Day. The town’s observance on May 5, 1866, predated Logan’s call for a day of remembrance. Local businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers and flags.

Until World War I, the holiday honored only those soldiers who died while fighting for the Union in the War, as Southern states honored those who died in the war on a separate day.

After the 116,000-plus American deaths in World War I, the tradition changed to remember all who have died while serving in the military.

Every year, a national moment of remembrance is held at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day.
No matter where they are or what they’re doing, Americans are asked to pause for one minute in silence to remember military personnel who have given their lives in service to their country.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the midday time was chosen because it’s when many Americans will be enjoying their freedoms on a national holiday.