Aiken Jaycees Memorial Day Parade
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Paradise Farm 4069 Wagener Road, Aiken, South Carolina
Strike up the band! Aiken’s annual Memorial Day Parade once again will wind its way through downtown in May to honor the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.
The Aiken Jaycees will sponsor the parade, set for at 11 a.m. May 23 on Laurens Street and Park Avenue, with help from the Aiken County Veterans Council, A is for Advertising and WFXG-TV, Channel 54. The theme will be A Grateful Aiken County Thanks and Honors You. The entry fee for participants will be free.
The Jaycees are looking for businesses; civic, community and youth organizations, schools, churches, political leaders, local bands and veterans-service groups to enter as participants.
“We would like maximum participation from throughout Aiken County,” Hull-Ryde said. “If you can’t participate, we encourage everyone to line Laurens Street and Park Avenue on the day of the parade dressed out in red, white and blue.”
The parade’s theme reflects the theme of the Department of Defense’s program to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the beginning of America’s involvement in the Vietnam War: A Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors You.
“We wanted to localize the theme and bring it home,” Hull-Ryde said. “While the parade will honor all veterans and their families, we want to pay special tribute to our service men and women who served our country during the Vietnam era.”