Aurora Memorial Day Parade To Return For First Time In 3 Years

AURORA, IL — Aurora's Memorial Day parade will return Monday for the first time in three years.

Honoring the people who died serving the country, Aurora's parade will step off at noon from the intersection of Benton and River streets before heading east on Benton, north on Broadway and west on Downer Place. The procession will end at River Street.

Leading the parade — with the theme "Commemorating Their Sacrifice, Continuing Their Service" — will be Class of 2022 students who enlisted in the United States Armed Forces, according to a news release. The students from Aurora high schools, representing all branches of the military, "have committed to serve our country, thereby honoring the legacy and continuing the service of those who never made it home."

There's still time for enlistees to register for free to serve as grand marshals of the 2022 parade, officials said.

Four marching bands from East Aurora High School, West Aurora High School, Metea Valley High School, Granger Middle School and Hill Middle School will provide musical entertainment during the parade, which will also feature local veteran groups and military organizations.

Other groups are slated to take part in the parade, too. They include the likes of the South Shore Drill Team, the Lamplighters, the East Aurora School District 131 Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, Dance Fuze, Monarch Academy of Dance, the Phillips Park Zoo and the Simply Destinee Dance Team, according to city officials.

For the parade, attendees will be able to park for free downtown. Officials are encouraging visitors to arrive before 11:15 a.m. to have ample time to find parking and a spot to stand along the parade route.