Oldest Memorial Day Parade in the United States Takes Place in Alton, Illinois

Communities around the country have for many months now, been preparing for special parties, parades, and other festivities for the upcoming Memorial Day Celebration. Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, is the time honored celebration of remembering and honoring those who have died in our nation's service. The small, Mississippi River city of Alton, Illinois boasts at having the tradition of the oldest Memorial Day Parade in the United States. The first Memorial Day parade in Alton took place in 1868, the same year General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, officially proclaimed the event and has since been an annual event.

The 141^st Alton Memorial Day parade, which honors the contributions of local veterans both deceased and living, will take place at 10:00 a.m. and last approximately one hour. The parade route begins at the Alton Middle School on College Avenue from there is proceeds up College Avenue making a right onto Washington Avenue. From Washington Avenue, the procession makes a left onto Edwards Street, than a left onto Main Street, up to College Avenue again and then turns left. From College Avenue it makes a right onto Washington Avenue and proceeds out to and ends at Upper Alton Cemetery. The Alton community displays its patriotic support of our service men and women as the sidewalks of the parade route are lined with United States flags.

At the Upper Alton Cemetery a special celebration will be held. There will be a flower guard that will lay flowers on the graves, the Alton High School band and the Colonial Fife and Drum will perform, and speeches will be delivered.