Falls Church Memorial Day Parade Schedule (ICYMI)

FALLS CHURCH, VA -- Monday is Memorial Day and one of the Little City's biggest events of the year.

The City of Falls Church will hold its annual Memorial Day Parade, which attracts thousands of visitors to the city. Leading up to the parade is a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial. The keynote speaker for this year's Memorial Day Ceremony is state Sen. Bryce Reeves (R-Spotsylvania), who is running for lieutenant governor in the primary election. Reeves was an Airborne Ranger and served in the Army.

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The Falls Church area is expected to see thunderstorms throughout the weekend, but let's hope it stays clear during the festivities. Below is the current schedule for the Monday, May 29 parade (subject to change):

Don Beyer Volvo 3K Fun Run: 9 .a.m

• Start line: Great Falls St. at Little Falls St.
• No registration required
• Rollerblades and bicycles not permitted

Music on the Main Stage: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

• Located on Park Ave. at Little Falls St.
• 9:15 a.m. - Andrew Acosta Band
• 12:15 p.m. -City of Falls Church Concert Band

Amusements for Children in Cherry Hill Park: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• Moon bounces, pony and train rides, and more
• Tours of Cherry Hill Farmhouse: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Veterans Ceremony at Veterans Memorial, Community Center: 11 a.m.

• Master of Ceremonies: Harry Shovlin
• Posting of Colors: Honor Guard from the American Legion Post 130
• Remembrance for POW/MIAs: Commander Bob Smith, VFW Post 9274
• National Anthem: City of Falls Church Concert Band and Sgt. Major Robert Petillo, US Army Band under the direction of Robert Little
• Invocation: Rev. Brian Bashista, St. James Catholic Church
• Welcoming: David Tarter, Mayor, City of Falls Church
• Remarks: Bob Smith, Chairman, Greater Falls Church Veterans Council
• Keynote Address: Bryce Reeves, Virginia Senator, 17th District, US Army, Airborne Ranger
• God Bless America: City of Falls Church Concert Band and Sgt. Major Robert Petillo, US Army Band under the direction of Robert Little
• Presentation of Wreath in Memory of Departed Veterans: Jenny Inskeep, Falls Church Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Escorted by Richard L. Anton, Post 130
• Presentations & Announcements: Harry Shovlin
• Prayer for the Departed Veterans: Rev. Brian Bashista, St. James Catholic Church
• Taps: Master Gunnery Sgt. John Abbracciamento, U.S. Marine Corps Band
• Retiring of POW/MIA Flag: Commander Bob Smith, VFW Post 9274
• Retiring of Colors: Honor Guard from the American Legion Post 130

Parade Begins: 2 p.m.

• Parade route on Park Ave.
• Led by 2017 Grand Marshal, Barb Cram
• Trophy Presentation after Parade
• See the full parade lineup here.

The parade names winners for a number of categories, including: Best Emergency Vehicle, Best Float, Best High School Marching Band, Best Professional Marching Band, Best Vehicles, Best Walking Group, Best Youth Group and Best Military Group.

This year's Grand Marshall is Barb Cram, who has lived in Falls Church since 1978. She has run Watch Night, the City's New Year's Eve celebration, since 2006. She has been president of Falls Church Arts since 2010, Chair of the Arts and Humanities Council since 2015 and was a co-chairman of the Arts and Cultural District Exploratory Committee in the early 2000s. She founded the The Little City Catch Foundation, which supports non-profit organizations' arts and cultural efforts in Falls Church.

Festival booths and activities will be held at City Hall (300 Park Ave). A full interactive map of Memorial Day activities is available. Free parking will be available at the George Mason Square Garage (103 W. Broad St) and Kaiser Permanente Deck (N. Washington St. and Park Ave.).

Stay with Patch for any weather-related updates for the event.

Image via Youtube screenshot