America’s Oldest Memorial Day Parades
Countries around the world have a long history of remembering their fallen soldiers, and America is no different. At the end of May each year, cities and towns across the nation organize Memorial Day events, the most popular being parades featuring processions of cars and marching bands traveling down long streets while residents cheer from the sidelines and wave Old Glory. Learn more about the history of this tradition turned holiday, and discover which places have been holding their accompanying parades the longest.
The birth of a holiday
Memorial Day’s origins go all the way back to the nineteenth century, when citizens would periodically engage in “decorating days” that involved cleaning and placing flowers on service members’ graves. But the custom became especially common during the Civil War’s waning year and in those that followed. Several accounts detail decorating days being held for this conflict in the mid-1860s, such as in cities like Charleston, South Carolina, Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, New York (the latter of which would be recognized by Congress in 1966 as the birthplace of Memorial Day).
The first official commemoration would soon follow. On May 5, 1868, a Union-based veterans’ organization, the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), formally declared that Decoration Day would be held on May 30 as a nationwide day of remembrance. Though only a one-off event, many places were inspired to make it an annual tradition, with some like New York and the District of Columbia even declaring it a legal holiday before the end of the century.
During this time, a new custom was also emerging: people were increasingly calling the occasion Memorial Day. So in 1882, the GAR recommended making the switch to the colloquial usage, and by the end of World War II, the new name had taken over. Then in 1971, over a century after its introduction, the day finally became a federal holiday to be held on the last Monday of every May.
Historical processions
Parades honoring deceased military heroes—as well as active service members and retired veterans—have been convened since the inception of Decoration Day, if not longer. Here are some of the ones that date back the farthest and what they do each year to revere those who gave all.
Brooklyn, New York (1867)
Honoring over 100,000 New York City veterans, this long-time event is considered the oldest large-city Memorial Day parade in the nation. This year, the 158th version will once again take place in the Bay Ridge neighborhood, traversing several blocks before landing at Cannonball Park for a service that includes bagpipes, the laying of wreaths, a twenty-one-gun salute by the Veterans Corps of Artillery, and the playing of “Taps.”
Doylestown, Pennsylvania (1868)
An estimated 15,000 people attend this parade in southeastern Pennsylvania—nearly double the city’s population. In recent years, it has gone above and beyond by providing a dedicated viewing area, complete with tents, for veterans and their families to enjoy the event. In 2024, the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales were even part of the convoy.
Grafton, West Virginia (1868)
The West Virginia Memorial Day Parade was dubbed “Flower Strewing Day” a year after it began, not taking up the current moniker until 1882. It will have a new twist in 2025: for the first time in over a century, there will be a new parade route to better accommodate the throngs that attend.
Ironton, Ohio (1868)
Located along the Ohio River in the southernmost part of the state, Ironton sees over 30,000 people come out to cheer the Ironton-Lawrence County Memorial Day Parade’s 2,000 participants. Each year, it also lines its street with over 270 flags to honor county residents lost in war.
Malvern, Pennsylvania (1869)
Travel about forty miles southwest of Doylestown, and you can catch Malvern’s annual Memorial Parade on Philadelphia’s Main Line. Traditionally held the Sunday after the holiday (June 1 this year), it is followed by a commemoration ceremony at the Paoli Memorial Grounds that dates back even farther: to 1817.
Rochester, Wisconsin (1867)
Situated between Milwaukee and Chicago, the village of Rochester continues its long-standing parade traditions of a white horse leading the procession, residents gathering and placing flowers on soldiers’ graves, and, perhaps most unique, officials lowering a wreath into the Fox River to remember those who gave their lives.
Sharpsburg, Maryland (1867)
This small town in western Maryland—with a population of just around 700—is historically important, being the site of the Battle of Antietam, the deadliest day ever in America. It holds its parade the Saturday before Memorial Day; this year’s theme is “250 Years of Sacrifice and Service” to honor the founding of the armed forces.
Westminster, Maryland (1868)
About sixty miles northeast of Sharpsburg, you’ll find the city of Westminster, whose event, the Memorial Day Remembrance Parade and Observance Ceremony, has certainly grown over the years. However, it started with the humblest origins: when activist Mary Bostwick Shellman led schoolchildren down to Westminster Cemetery to place freshly cut flowers upon Civil War soldiers’ graves.
Wilmington, Delaware (1868)
Like a couple of others on this list, this parade held in the First State’s largest city opts to follow a different schedule. Rather than on the holiday itself, it takes place on May 30 each year to honor the original GAR proclamation. The event ends at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, a notable circa 1871 column.
These Memorial Day celebrations have spanned generations, linking the end of the Civil War to the present day. They stand as tributes to the organizers’ and volunteers’ ongoing dedication through the years to a worthy cause—commemorating America’s fallen soldiers. Whether your local parade is a few centuries old, a few decades old, or only a few years old, be sure to attend, cheer, and pay your respects as you show your appreciation for our country’s war heroes.