UPDATE: Special Fall River Memorial Day Parade to be community affair

This year’s Fall River Memorial Day Parade, honoring those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, will take a different turn than in years past.

The event, which is scheduled to take place on May 25th, had to be modified due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the order in place concerning the gathering of crowds.

This year, instead of residents lining South Main Street, the parade will be coming to the people.

The Greater Fall River Veterans Council/Fall River War Veterans Council is sponsoring a Fall River Memorial Day Rolling Tribute.

The Rolling Tribute is scheduled to be a drive-by parade through the city in which anyone is welcome in whatever vehicle they own.

According to Bill Desmarais of the Fall River War Veterans’ Council, several veterans organizations, current military personnel, Sheriff Thomas Hodgson, first responders, motorcycle groups, Fall River Young Marines, Fall River Police, Fall River Fire Department, 8 crowned pageant winners, and several local politicians are already scheduled to attend, along with various individual veterans.

Instead of the parade beginning at the usual Kennedy Park location, participants will meet at 11:30 a.m. at the corner of Wilson Road and Riggenbach Road with a step off at 2:00 p.m. from the intersection of Wilson & Riggenbach.

The parade route will then proceed west on Wilson Road to Meridian Street intersection
Proceed south on Meridian Street to merge onto Willow Street
Proceed southwest on Willow Street to New Boston Rd. intersection
Proceed west on New Boston Road to Eastern Ave. intersection
Proceed south on Eastern Ave, to merge onto Brayton Ave.
Proceed south west on Brayton Ave to Stafford Road intersection
Proceed south on Stafford Road to Tucker Street intersection
Proceed west on Tucker Street to Mariano Bishop Blvd. intersection
Proceed north on Mariano Bishop Blvd merge onto Robeson Street
Proceed north on Robeson Street to President Ave. intersection
Proceed west on President Ave to North Main Street intersection
Proceed south on North Main Street and merge onto Durfee Street
Proceed south on Durfee Street to Central Street intersection
Proceed east on Central Street to No Main Street intersection
Proceed south on North Main merging onto South Main Street
Proceed south on South Main Street to Globe 4 Corners intersection
Proceed north west on Broadway to Rt. 79 extension
Proceed north on Rt. 79 Extension to Central Street intersection
Proceed west on Central Street to Battleship Cove area with an ending at the Gates of the City.

The event will then conclude with a closing ceremony.

If there is any individual or group that wants to join the Memorial Day Rolling Parade please call (508) 951-6847, or e-mail at pd2071@aol.com. Participants are encouraged to adorn their vehicles with flags and/or banners in salute to our veterans. If you need a banner made, Express Printing is willing to design and print one for you at minimal cost, according to Desmarais. All coronavirus protocols will be adhered to, according to Desmarais.