The traditional New Ipswich Memorial Day Parades are returning this year, after last year’s observances were canceled in response to COVID-19.
“It’s the only time I can remember [not having them],” Memorial Day Chairman Oliver Niemi Jr. said, of the year without observances.
But this year, it’s back to mostly normal.
On Sunday, the town has scheduled its normal morning and afternoon parades, followed by observances at the town’s cemeteries. Even the unofficial morning gathering with coffee and nisu, a Finnish coffee bread, provided by Pete and Bonnie-Jo Aho on Goen Road in the Smithville Village is back on, Niemi said.
The morning parade forms by the Smithville Center flagpole at 9:30 a.m., with the parade stepping off at 10 a.m. The parade will proceed to South Cemetery by Page Hill Road.
The Mascenic High School Choir and Chris Bergeron will provide music for the morning program.
After observances at the South Cemetery, the parade will reform and proceed to the Smithville Bridge via Binney Hill and Page Hill Road. After decorating the waters for sailors lost at sea, the parade will return to Smithville Center for the conclusion of the program and the singing of the National Anthem by the choir.
The afternoon parade forms at the Congregational Church at 12:30 p.m., and steps off at 1 p.m., accompanied by the Keene American Legion Band. The parade travels to the Center Cemetery for observances, followed by a march down Main Street to the Soldiers’ Monument. Following a program at the monument, the parade will march to Memorial Field and disband.
There will be no traditional barbecue at the field this year.
Niemi said there will be no specific restrictions regarding social distancing or masking, but asked that people, “be respectful of one another.”
If you need a ride in the parade, contact Niemi at 878-2995.