Stepping out with Memorial Day parades

Memorial Day is the biggest parade day of the year around these parts. Quaint streets in town after town become lined with happy spectators watching military units and marching bands and more.

The Old Lyme parade is, in a lot of ways, indicative of the processions being held. Taking part will be civic groups, fire departments, members of the Connecticut National Garde, and musicians - in this case, that includes the Lyme-Old Lyme High School and Middle School Bands, the Deep River Fife and Drum Corps, and the New London Firefighters Pipes and Drums.

The parade will stop at the Duck River Cemetery for a memorial service, complete with invocation and benediction will be offered by Monsignor Thomas Bride of Christ The King Church.

It all wraps up at the Lyme Street Fire Station, where participants are served refreshments.

See the attached schedule of Memorial Day parades.

- KRISTINA DORSEY

East Lyme Memorial Day Parade - 2 p.m., begins near St. John's Green and proceeds down Niantic's Main St. ending at the East Lyme Town Hall.

Essex Memorial Day Parade - 9 a.m., Main Street, Essex.

Mystic VFW Memorial Day Parade - parade begins at 2 p.m. and will march rain or shine from Bank Square along Route 1 to the VFW Post home at 60 Stonington Road in Mystic.

Noank Memorial Day Parade - 10 a.m., assembles on Main Street in Noank Village.

North Stonington Memorial Day Parade - 10 a.m., North Stonington Fairgrounds, Wyassup Road.

Norwich Memorial Day Parade - 2 p.m., begins at St. Patrick's Cathedral, 213 Broadway, Norwich.

Old Lyme Memorial Day Parade - 11 a.m., Lyme Street Fire House, 69 Lyme St., Old Lyme; proceeds via Lyme Street and McCurdy Road to the Duck River Cemetery; (860) 434-5201.

Old Saybrook Memorial Day Parade -10 a.m., Stop & Shop on Elm Street to Main Street to Veterans Memorial Monuments on the Town Green where a program will be conducted.

Salem Memorial Day Parade - 10 a.m., Salem Town Green, Route 85, Salem.

Westerly-Pawcatuck Memorial Day Parade - 9:30 a.m., Pawcatuck Shopping Center, Route 1, Pawcatuck.