Memorial Day: holiday closings, trash delay, parking, parade and ceremony

Press Release:

Holiday Trash Delay

Due to the Memorial Day holiday, the collection of trash, recyclable items, and bulky waste from May 27 to May 31, 2024, will be one day late after the Monday holiday.

Monday’s collection will be completed on Tuesday, and each remaining day of the week will be one day later than normal. Please check Paine’s website, www.PainesInc.com, or call (860) 844-3000 with any questions.

Holiday Closings

In recognition of the holiday, Town Hall, Yard Waste & Recycling Center, libraries, community center, senior centers, and schools will close on Monday, May 27, 2024.

Free Parking

Free parking ALL DAY at ALL municipal parking sites and municipal garages on Memorial Day. Municipal parking will resume normal operation on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 6 AM.

Parking Ban

In preparation for the Memorial Day parade, the town will implement a parking ban along the parade route starting at 12:01 AM on Monday, May 27.

On-street parking will be prohibited on the west side of Pleasant St. from Whitman Ave. to Farmington Ave.; on Farmington Ave., both sides, from Walden St. to Raymond Rd.; and on North Main St. and South Main St., both sides, from Brace Rd. to Burr St.

The Town will lift the parking ban following the parade’s conclusion (around 11 AM).

PARADE & CEREMONY

Memorial Day Parade, 10 AM

West Hartford takes great pride in hosting its annual [/fs/pages/1167]Memorial Day Parade, held on the federal holiday, the last Monday of May at 10 AM. It follows a tradition established by returning West Hartford veterans from World War I in the 1920s.

The 2024 parade will be held on Monday, May 27 at 10 AM. Assembly of parade units will take place at 9:30 AM in designated areas west of Woodrow Street on Farmington Avenue and ends at Town Hall. The parade duration is 45-60 minutes. If the weather is inclement, the parade is canceled. There is no rain date. An announcement will be made on our website.

This year’s Grand Marshal and keynote speaker at the ceremony is Mike Cabrey, a retired US Army Colonel with 30 years of Active Duty service. Commissioned in May 1986 from the United States Military Academy at West Point, he served in various Artillery positions, leading and commanding from the platoon through brigade level. From 2003-2004, he commanded and led over 750 soldiers in direct combat operations in Ramadi, Iraq.

While serving in the Army, he earned the Bronze Star, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Ranger Tab. He holds two Masters Degrees in Advanced Military Studies and International Relations.

Parade Participants

All participating groups marching in the parade should report to their line-up location no later than 9:30 AM. The parade begins promptly at 10 AM. For participant instructions and line-up location, go to www.WestHartfordCT.gov/MemorialDayParade or email Renee McCue at renee@westhartfordct.gov or call 860-561-7521.

Memorial Day Ceremony, 11 AM

Immediately following the parade each year, a brief Memorial Day ceremony is held to give the holiday special meaning. The event occurs at the Veterans Memorial, corner of North Main St. and Farmington Ave., at about 11 AM. If it rains, the ceremony will be held in the Town Hall Auditorium, 50 South Main St., at 11 AM.

Thank You to WHCi

Thanks to West Hartford Community Interactive for bringing these two events to West Hartford residents via Comcast channel 5, Frontier channel 6098, and YouTube.