Aurora Memorial Day Parade set to return May 30
For the first time in three years, Aurora's Memorial Day Parade returns to downtown Aurora.
Due to the pandemic, an in-person Memorial Day Parade hasn't been held since 2019.
With the theme, "Commemorating Their Sacrifice, Continuing Their Service," the City of Aurora will honor the brave men and women who paid the ultimate price and gave their lives for our country.
The Aurora Memorial Day Parade will step off at noon Monday, May 30.
Leading the parade as grand marshals will be Class of 2022 enlistees to the United States Armed Forces.
Representing all branches of the military, the young leaders from Aurora high schools have committed to serve the nation, honoring the legacy and continuing the service of those who never made it home.
The 2022 Memorial Day Parade will also feature local veteran groups and military organizations, including the Aurora Veterans Advisory Council, Roosevelt Aurora American Legion Post 84, Waidley VFW 468, Fox Valley Marines Detachment 1233, and the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Four marching bands will fill the parade with music from our talented youth at East Aurora, West Aurora and Metea Valley high schools, and Granger and Hill middle schools.
Additional crowd favorites such as the electrifying South Shore Drill Team, the Lamplighters, the East Aurora Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, Dance Fuze, Monarch Academy of Dance, Phillips Park Zoo, and the Simply Destinee Dance Team will help to energize Aurora for the 154th anniversary of Memorial Day.
The parade will begin at the intersection of Benton and River streets, march east on Benton Street to Broadway (Route 25), north on Broadway (Route 25) to Downer Place, then west on Downer Place to River Street where the parade will conclude.
The reviewing stand will be placed in front of the David L. Pierce Art and History Center, located at 20 E. Downer Place, for best viewing.
Due to the pandemic, the last Memorial Day Parade was held in 2019.
Free parking is available in various downtown public parking lots, not including lots located along the parade route. Visitors are encouraged to arrive prior to 11:15 a.m. to provide enough time for parking and viewing preparation on the parade route.
To view the downtown Aurora public parking map, visit www.aurora-il.org/721/Downtown-Parking.
For more information, contact the City of Aurora Special Events Division at (630) 256-3370 or events@aurora.il.us.