Memorial Day In Doylestown Among Nation's Best Places For Holiday

DOYLESTOWN BOROUGH, PA — Doylestown Borough has been named one of the top 10 best places in the nation to honor Memorial Day, according to a new ranking released by a national car rental company.

"To many Americans, Memorial Day is considered the kickoff of the summer season. However, it is also an important day of remembrance for those who sacrificed their lives defending their
country and the freedom of others," said the travel experts at SIXT. "As many Americans are
beginning to make their Memorial Day Weekend plans, we've seen Google searches in the U.S. for ‘memorial day parades’ increase by 245 percent in the past week and 'memorial day plans' increase by 100 percent in the past week."

Scenes from the 2023 Doylestown Memorial Day Parade.

In its ranking, SIXT identified the top destinations to observe the holiday based on places with the longest running Memorial Day parades, number of war memorials and veteran-owned businesses. And Doylestown Borough, boasting among the oldest parades in the nation, is ranked near the top at number three.

“SIXT applauds the efforts of the Doylestown community and its dedication to honoring those who sacrificed their lives defending their country and the freedom of others," said Jen Adams, head of partnerships and a travel expert at SIXT.

Capturing the top spot is Charleston, South Carolina, whose parade dates to 1865 followed by Brooklyn, New York, at number two whose parade dates to 1867.

Others making the list include Wilmington, Delaware at number four; Dearborn, Michigan, at number five; Portsmouth, Virginia, at number six; Ironton, Ohio, at number seven; Hempstead, New York, at number 8; Rochester, Wisconsin at number nine; and Grafton, West Viriginia at number 10.

SOURCE: SIXT

"Doylestown isn't just famous for its lovely architecture; it's also home to a truly historic Memorial Day parade. This tradition has been going strong for over 150 years, with over 1,000 participants and 15,000 spectators joining i the celebration," says SIXT. "The town boasts an impressive 270 war memorials, including the iconic World War I Memorial Fountain dedicated
on Memorial Day in 1922 at Main and Broad. While you're in Doylestown, consider checking out Doylestown's eight veteran-owned businesses."

Adams recommends researching and planning ahead for your Memorial Day trip and mapping out a travel route to bypass the busy crowds.

"Try to travel midweek rather than during the weekend to avoid expected heavy traffic. Make sure your brakes, battery, and engine are all working properly, and check your tires. Leave with a full tank of gas and a fully charged battery to avoid any hiccups or delays," she says.

This year's parade takes place on Monday, May 27. After a flag raising at War Memorial Field, the parade begins at Central Bucks West High School, marches east on West Court, then east on West State Street, north on Main and finally east on East Court to the Doylestown Cemetery where it culminates with a 30-minute memorial service

(Photo by Jeff Werner)