Historic Freehold Memorial Day Parade Marks 148th Year

FREEHOLD, N.J.— The 148th Freehold Memorial Day Parade will start at 9:45 a.m. at the corner of Brinkerhoff Avenue and Main Street Monday, led by a flag-draped caisson followed at 10 a.m. by the parade.

The parade pays tribute to the fallen heroes of the United States and is the oldest and largest such parade in Western Monmouth County, with an average of more than 70 units participating each year, organizers say.

The parade features many military units, veterans groups, bands, fire departments, EMS squads, youth groups, custom designed floats and civilian units.

The parade will proceed down Main Street to Broadway and will take a left onto Murray Street. It will then take a left onto Schank Street and proceed up to Monument Street were it will take a right turn before entering the parking lot of the Monmouth County Courthouse, organizers say.

This is a rain or shine event, said Chairperson Alice McCobb.

Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. It was originally known as Decoration Day and originated in the years following the Civil War, according to History.com. It became an official federal holiday in 1971.