The traditional memorial service, conducted by members of the Morris Plains VFW Watnong Post #3401 and Denville American Legion Post 390, will be followed by comments from our special guest speaker, Mr. John Ryan of VFW Watnong Post #3401 in Morris Plains..
Then at 9:30 AM, the 40th Annual Memorial Day Parade will start near the intersection of Glenbrook Road and Mountain Way. The Parade is special this year because Morris Plains is celebrating its 100th birthday, having been incorporated in 1926. Look for the Centennial Committee special float to commemorate the occasion.
The parade travels south on Mountain Way, east on Rosedale Ave, then north along Speedwell Avenue, past the reviewing stand at the corner of Franklin Place, in front of Arthur’s Tavern and opposite the NJ Transit train station, and continues north up Littleton Road to Route 53 north, where it ends at the VFW Watnong Post #3401.
In 2026, our Grand Marshals are Morris Plains Firemen John Boudreau and Michael Shay, who have served as volunteer firefighters in the Borough for 50 years.
The Parade, the largest in Morris County, consists of over 110 units representing local and county organizations with 15 bands, including the Skyliners Drum and Bugle Corp, the Rory O’Moore Pipe Band, the Morris County Police Pipes and Drums, the Denville String Band, and, featured at the end of the Parade, the Morristown High School Marching Colonials.
Highlights of the Parade will include appearances by the Future Marines of RSS Northwest, the Morris County Office of Veterans Services, the New Jersey Warriors Disabled Veterans Hockey Club, the famous “Big Idaho Potato” truck, the Natural Glass Corvette Association, the Morris Plains Beautification Float, Francis Davis and Martin Annese (both 103 years young), residents of Arbor Terrace, and the Mega Robot.
Also, once again, The Golden Gup and Lulu will appear and play patriotic tunes, along the route with Korean War Veteran Dudley Werner and Mickey and Minnie Mouse accompanying them.
For additional information on Parade day activities, contact the Parade Chairman, Steve Welsh, at 201-274-4965. Also, on May 23rd, in case of inclement weather, call the Parade Hotline starting at 5:30 AM at 973-538-0325, to be sure the Parade is still on.