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What You Need to Know about Wayne’s Memorial Day Parade

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Monday May 31 Come Celebrate Veterans and Health Care Workers in the Wayne Memorial Day Parade.Credits: Wayne Township

WAYNE, NJ — This Monday, May 31 is Memorial Day and Wayne Township is holding their annual tradition of commemorating the special day with a parade. TAPinto interviewed the Director of Parks and Recreation for Wayne, Tim Roetman to learn what to expect and what to avoid for Monday’s big parade.

Since the mid-twentieth century, Wayne has held an annual parade to honor those who died serving their country. However, last year the parade was canceled due to the pandemic, and only a sparsely attended, solemn service held at the Veteran’s Memorial in front of town hall marked the day.

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This year, the parade is on, and it's coming just as the COVID numbers in Wayne and in New Jersey are dropping precipitously. It's coming when the number of residents in Wayne who are vaccinated are nearing the state goal of 70%. It’s coming as the Governor’s restrictions have been lifting on both outdoor and indoor gatherings.

It’s coming as we all hope to welcome in a summer that may look a lot like ‘pre-COVID normal.’

Roetman was asked what the parade meant this year, especially in context of last year’s cancelation.

“The great thing about the parade is that you can really get a great view from anywhere along Valley Road,” said Roetman. “But, out in front of town hall on Valley, we will announce each of the groups that come by. So, if you're interested, you’ll probably be able to hear this anywhere between Nellis and Preakness Ave.”

Between Hamburg Turnpike and Ratzer Road are several rallying spots where the various groups who will be participating in the parade will join in as the parade passes. So, to see the full parade, you should find a spot between Ratzer Road and Nellis Drive.

“It’s a good suggestion to get to your spots along Valley Road by about 9:30 a.m.,” said Roetman, “because the police will start to close the side streets sometime before the parade starts.”

This year’s parade will not only honor veterans who died in service of our country, but Wayne Township will also be paying tribute to our local health care workers who worked in the face of the pandemic early on when no one knew what the disease might ultimately bring.

“This is one of the ways that we can thank our nurses, our doctors; everyone who was on the front line during the pandemic,” said Mayor Chris Vergano. “We will also be recognizing the men and women of the Wayne Police Department, as well as the volunteers of the Memorial First Aid Squad and the Wayne Fire Companies. All of these amazing people went out to help those who were sick, while the rest of us stayed home, isolated. They put themselves at risk, and we want them to know how grateful we are to each and every one of them.”

Staff from St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center will march in the parade and are likely to get the loudest applause from the adults in the crowd. While ambulances, fire trucks and police cruisers with flashing lights and blaring sirens will have the young children in delight.

For the first time since the shortened football season, the marching bands from Wayne Hills and Wayne Valley will perform live and in-person. The William Paterson Percussion Band will also be performing for the first time in the annual parade.

Contingents from the Wayne PAL, the Boys & Girls Club, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and so many others will participate in the parade. Parents and other family members will be lining the route to capture the moment on video and pictures.

The Governor just lifted the mask mandate for both indoor and outdoor gatherings for fully vaccinated individuals, and the rules are changing fast. So, as far as masking and social distancing, Roetman is asking residents to follow whatever state guidelines are in place at the time of the parade.