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This is a weekend for parades as towns and cities across the state reflect on Memorial Day ceremonies for those who died while serving the United States in the military. Branford’s ceremonies for this special day take place in Stony Creek and on the Green. New Haven’s Memorial Day events take place on Sunday.
Saturday, May, 23 and Sunday, May 24
Mystic Seaport Kicks Off Summer
Take a trip with the kids. Mystic Seaport welcomes the summer season this weekend with a great day for kids and adults, all arriving to celebrate New England.
Go back a century to old-fashioned summers with vintage lawn games, making ice cream the old-fashioned way, and playing a game of 1876 baseball. Participate in a friendly game of tug-of-war and gather friends for a relay race. You can rent a boat and try your hand at rowing a whaleboat and throwing a harpoon. Explore exhibits, climb aboard historic vessels, and take a horse-and-carriage ride. Relax inside the Treworgy Planetarium and learn about the stars of summer. Children can build a toy boat keepsake, explore the Discovery Barn, and take part in other hands-on activities designed just for them. Events begin at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.
At midday on Monday, Mystic Seaport will pay tribute to fallen Civil War soldiers during the Museum’s annual Decoration Day ceremony on Monday, May 25. Known today as Memorial Day, Decoration Day was formally instituted by the U.S. Government in 1868 as a day of national remembrance of those killed during the Civil War.
Monday, May 25
Branford’s Memorial Day
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The Stony Creek Memorial Day parade begins at the center of the village at 8 a.m. The Friends of the Willoughby-Wallace Library will hold a Memorial Day bake sale from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the library’s lawn. This parade brings the village together. After the ceremonies at the center of Stony Creek, everyone marches to the Stony Creek cemetery. From there comes a Naval Memorial Ceremony at the South Montowese Street Bridge at 9:15 am.
Bill O’Brien Photo
Grant Briggs, Chaplin for American Legion Post 83, will lead Branford’s town event and give the main speech at 10 a.m. at ceremonies on the Green. The parade steps off immediately after the program at 10:30 a.m.
Get ready for fine marchers and music from the Stony Creek Fife and Drum Corps, the Branford High School Band, St. Mary’s School Fife and Drum Corps, the Branford Town Band and the Totoket Ancient Fife and Drum Corps.
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Military marching units for the parade include members of the American Legion Post 83 and Legion Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12106 and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
The march starts from the Green and proceeds to North Harbor St. It then returns to the Green, marching past the reviewing stand on the Green.
Grove Street Cemetery Honors Civil War Veterans
A Tour honoring over 150 Civil War Veterans buried at the historic Grove Street Cemetery in New Haven begins at 10:30 a.m. at the cemetery’s gate, 227 Grove St. The tour will be led by Myles Alderman. The event is free and open to the public.
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