The 2014 Darien Memorial Day Parade starts off at 10 a.m. from Goodwives Shopping Center and ends at the veterans cemetery section of Spring Grove Cemetery.
Then, Darien EMS-Post 53 has refreshments available in Tilley Pond Park.
The Darien Police Department announced it "will be deploying additional assets to the parade. As a safety precaution, spectators are asked to avoid bringing backpacks or large bags to the event."
Parade Route, Marching Order
The parade will step off from Goodwives Shopping Center on Old Kings Highway North at 10 a.m., proceeding up Brookside Road and turning left onto Post Road. The parade will proceed westbound on Post Road and end in the area of Spring Grove Cemetery.
Here's a map of the parade route.
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Grand Marshal Walter McCurdy
Walter R. McCurdy, a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War, is this year’s distinguished grand marshal. He served in World War II in the U.S. Naval Air Corps from 1945-47.During the Korean War, Lieutenant McCurdy also served aboard the destroyer William M. Wood DD715 and as executive officer of the USS PC 1141 in the fleet out of Pearl Harbor, and in the South Pacific Islands from 1951-53.
After his service to our country, he was vice president of Bristol-Myers Squibb for many years, and finally served as director of the MBA Program for Fordham University.
Immediately following the parade festivities, please attend the Memorial Day Ceremony held at the State Veterans Cemetery (Spring Grove).
Post 53 Memorial Day Food Fair
Darien EMS-Post 53 will hold its Annual Food Fair at Tilley Pond Park on May 26 following the Memorial Day parade, raising money to support the community’s emergency medical services.
The fair, which begins immediately after the parade, continues until 3 p.m. and features fun for the entire community.
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Admission tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the gate as well as outside select retail and non-retail locations around town prior to Memorial Day.
The fair will include a captivating Silent Auction – this year highlighted by four Jet Blue tickets to anywhere you want to go, as well as exciting sports tickets, golf outings and more. The fair will also feature an array of boutiques including local artisans, baked goods and more. You will also find:
- A wonderful Herb and Flower Market brought to you by our volunteers with help from Nielsen’s Florist and Garden Shop
- A CPR tent where you can learn how to save a life doing hands-only CPR in just five minutes, take an ambulance tour and get your blood pressure checked
- The Darien Power Squadron will be teaching water safety while selling model boat kits
- A Family Fun Zone filled with games and crafts for children of all ages
- Visit the Non-Stop Donut Shop, created by Post 53 Members
As always, the fair will include a tasty and tempting food selection. Our membership will be hard at work grilling hamburgers and bratwurst, and serving pulled pork, seafood salads, delicious desserts and more.
Traffic Detours, Road Closures, Parking Bans
Traffic detours and restrictions will be in effect at some locations beginning at 8 a.m.
In order to provide a safe environment and to accommodate parade participants and spectators, Darien Police advise the following:
- There will be no on-street parking on Sedgwick Avenue, Mechanic Street or Old Kings Highway North near the entrance to Goodwives Shopping Center.
- The Brookside Road and Old Kings Highway North approaches to Goodwives Shopping Center will be closed to all vehicular traffic at 8 a.m.
- All vehicles participating in the parade shall enter Goodwives Shopping Center via Sedgwick Avenue or Mechanic Street.
- Persons dropping off parade participants shall use Sedgwick Avenue or Mechanic Street.
- No vehicles will be allowed to travel on Post Road from Interstate 95 Entrance 13 westbound to Old Kings Highway South during the parade.
- Old Kings Highway South from Goodwives River Road to Post Road will be posted a "no parking" area.
- Spectators are reminded to remain on sidewalks, curbsides, or as close as practical to the roadway edge throughout the duration of the parade. This is necessary to ensure the safety of viewers and marchers alike.
- Motorists are advised to avoid the downtown area during the parade. A large contingent of Darien police officers will be assigned to traffic posts before and during the parade.Editor's note: This article was adapted from various recent news releases and largely quotes them.
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