Naperville's Memorial Day Parade Called Off Due To Coronavirus

NAPERVILLE, IL — Naperville's 2020 Memorial Day Parade has been canceled due to the coronavirus crisis. Originally set for May 25, the parade will likely return in 2021.

In an email sent to parade participants and forwarded to Patch, organizers wrote, " It is with clear minds, but very heavy hearts that we write to tell you that the Naperville Memorial Day Parade has been canceled. This is, without question, the right thing to do, but it is very sad to know that this great tradition of honoring the fallen will not occur this year."

They added that "[h]ealth and safety come first."

Parade organizers went on to thank community members and organizations who were planning to participate in the parade. They wrote, " The members of the parade committee, the VFW, and the American Legion are grateful to you for your devotion to the event and desire to say thank you through your participation."

They encouraged residents to find their own ways to honor the country's fallen heroes while social distancing on Memorial Day.

The organizers closed the email with a message of hope for something to look forward to amid this uncertainty, saying, "See you in 2021."