Memorial Day Events North Central Massachusetts 2024 Schedule

Here is a comprehensive list of Memorial Day events happening in each city and town in North Central Massachusetts in 2024.

Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, is a federal holiday in the United States dedicated to honoring and remembering the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, the holiday was created after the Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the war. Over time, it evolved to honor all American military personnel who have lost their lives in any conflict. The day is typically marked by ceremonies, parades, and the decoration of graves with flowers and flags.

Use the table of contents below to navigate to a specific municipality.

Ashburnham

On Monday May 27, 2024, ceremonies will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Meeting House Hill cemetery, followed by a procession to the new cemetery, and then on to Town Hall for additional ceremonies starting at 10:00 a.m.

After the ceremonies, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., the American Legion Thomas P. Sweeny Post 142 located at 132 Williams Road in Ashburnham will hold a Chicken BBQ. To reserve meals at $15.00 each, call (978) 827-9966.

More information about the chicken BBQ can be found here: https://facebook.com/events/s/memorial-day-chicken-bbq/1845684032522815/ 

Ashby

On Monday May 27, 2024: the Memorial Day parade will begin at 2 p.m. on Ashby Common. The parade will make stops at the town’s cemeteries.

Athol

On Monday, May 27, 2024, a contingent of local veterans will conduct Memorial Day services at multiple locations, according to the following schedule:

• 8:45 a.m. — Vietnam Veterans of America memorial at Uptown Common
• 9:00 a.m. — Athol Area YMCA
• 9:15 a.m. — Silver Lake Cemetery

Following the service at Silver Lake Cemetery, the procession will proceed to the center of Athol. A ceremonial wreath will be cast into the Millers River at Starrett Bridge. The march will conclude at Veterans Park, located at the corner of Main and Exchange Streets, where a final ceremony will feature several speakers.

Participating organizations include Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 340, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 46, AMVETS Post 793, American Legion Post 102, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 650, and the Marine Corps League Pequoig Detachment 1168.

Ayer

The Joseph M. Connors American Legion Post 139 of Ayer announces the Memorial Day Events for Saturday May 25, 2024, as follows:

• 8:30 a.m.: Legion Memorial Service at Woodlawn Cemetery
• 9:00 a.m.: Legion Memorial Service at St. Mary’s Cemetery
• 10:00 a.m: Parade steps off towards Town Hall (Parade route down Park Street and onto Main Street)
• 10:30 a.m: Parade stops at Town Hall for a brief Memorial Service
• 10:45 a.m.: Parade continues to Pirone Park for the final Memorial Service

Barre

Contacted town clerk on May 24, 2024, waiting for response.

Clinton

The annual Memorial Day ceremony and parade will take place on Monday, May 27th, at 9:00 a.m. in Central Park. The Master of Ceremonies will be Michael Dziokonski, a Vietnam War veteran. The Memorial Day Address will be given by American Legion Vice Commander Scott Conner.

Following the ceremony, the parade will begin at the corner of Walnut and Union Streets, making stops at Depot Square, Woodlawn Cemetery, and concluding at St. John’s Cemetery.

Additionally, there will be a ceremony at Reservoir Pines Cemetery at 8:00 a.m., which will include an invocation by Rev. Julio Granados, a firing detail by the VFW, and TAPS played by the PAV.

Fitchburg

Sunday, May 26, 2024: A White Cross ceremony will be held at 6:00 p.m. at Monument Park.

Monday, May 27, 2024: The opening ceremony will begin at 7:45 a.m. at Monument Park. There will be prayers and volleys at cemeteries and monuments citywide, starting with Eastwood Monument at 8:00 a.m.. This will be followed by breakfast at the Eastwood Club at 8:15 a.m., then ceremonies at the following locations: St. Bernard’s Cemetery at 8:45 a.m., Spanish-American War Monument at 9:00 a.m., Laurel Hill Cemetery at 9:15 a.m., Jewish Cemetery at 9:30 a.m., St. Joseph’s Cemetery at 9:45 a.m., and Forest Hill Cemetery at 10:00 a.m..

The Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at Upper Common at 10:30 a.m.

Gardner

On Monday, May 27, 2024, the Memorial Day Parade will begin at 9:40 a.m. at the American Legion on Elm Street and proceed to Monument Park on Cottage Street. The Memorial Day ceremony at Monument Park will feature guest speakers, music, taps, readings, and more.

Groton

Groton Memorial Day Parade

The Groton Memorial Day festivities will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, May 27, 2024.

Please refer to the flyer below for the parade route. Spectators are encouraged to line Hollis Street.

Groton Memorial Day Parade

Harvard

The Town of Harvard will hold Memorial Day exercises on Monday, May 27, 2024, starting at 10:00 a.m. All veterans are asked to line up in front of the Town Hall at 9:45 a.m. Acceptable dress includes uniform or appropriate civilian attire.

The parade will proceed from the Town Hall to the Civil War Memorial, then to Center Cemetery, where children will place geraniums at each veteran’s grave. The parade will continue to the World War II, Korean, Vietnam, and Gulf War Memorials, then move to the World War I Memorial and flagpole for the day’s ceremony. Wreaths will be presented at each memorial, and Taps will be played.

Upon completion, the parade will return to the Town Hall, after which participants may drive to the Corporal Skillings Memorial in Still River for a wreath-laying and Taps. All will then reassemble at Bellevue Cemetery for a short parade around the cemetery, the placing of a wreath, and the playing of Taps. Children will be invited to assist in placing geraniums at each veteran’s grave.

All levels of Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Police and Fire Departments, the Nashoba Valley Concert Band, and all veterans who wish to walk in the parade are welcome.

A timeline of events is here.

Hubbardston

The Hubbardston Memorial Day Committee invites all area veterans to participate in the town’s Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 27, 2024. This annual event honors the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. at Curtis Recreation Field.

Following the parade, all veterans and community members are invited to attend a complimentary Ice Cream Social hosted by the Golden Age Club at the Senior Center.

Public parking is available at Go Green Pallet Company.

Lancaster

On Monday, May 27, 2024, the program begins at 9 a.m. at the Town Green. After the Memorial Day program, the parade, led by the American Legion, will proceed to Middle Cemetery for the laying of flowers and wreaths on graves, and taps will be played. The parade will then return to the Town Green.

Leominster

On Monday, May 27, 2024, ceremonies will be held at St. Leo’s Cemetery at 8:30 a.m., St. Cecilia’s Cemetery at 9:00 a.m., and Johnny Ro Memorial Park at 9:30 a.m. There will be a respite at Franco American War Veterans Hall at 10:00 a.m. and at the GAR Lot at Veterans Cemetery at 10:30 a.m.

The parade will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the Veterans Plot and continue through Pine Grove Cemetery, ending at Memorial Circle at Carter Park.

Lunenburg

Lunenburg’s annual Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at Veterans Memorial Park on Monday, May 27, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

Orange

Memorial Day Ceremonies – Monday, May 27, 2024:

• 7:30 a.m. Legion participants meet at downtown Fire Station, Orange. Gear up and proceed to Jones Cemetery in North Orange
• 8:00 a.m. Jones Cemetery
• 8:20 a.m. North Orange Cemetery
• 9:00 a.m. Tully Cemetery (no parade, just form up at cemetery)
• 9:45 a.m. (approximate) Refreshments at Tully Fire Station
• 11:00 a.m. Veterans Memorial Cemetery/Peace Statue in Orange Center

Pepperell

Veterans are invited to march in the parade.
Mass at St. Joes Cemetery will begin at 8:15 a.m.
Prayer at Woodlawn Cemetery will begin at 9:10 a.m.
Prayer at Park St Cemetery will begin at 9:35 a.m.

Parade Route
Step off 10:00 a.m. from Town Hall, 1 Main Street in Pepperell
Main Street right onto Groton Rd
Left onto Leighton Street
Arrive at Pepperell VFW Post 3291

Lunch will be served in the grove.

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/784663926933622/\

Petersham

Memorial Day services, sponsored by Petersham American Legion Post 415, will be held on Monday, May 27, commencing at 9:30 a.m. The parade will kick off on West Street at the flagpole. Musical accompaniment will be provided by the Petersham Brass Band, with Mark Ellis serving as the grand marshal. Post Commander Larry Robinson will act as the Officer of the Day. Services will be conducted at the flagpole, Village Cemetery, and the memorial trees. The flag will be flown in honor of Jesse Cole, Robert Goodfellow, and Robert Thayer Jr.

Phillipston

The town of Phillipston will celebrate Memorial Day with a parade on Sunday, May 26, at 9:00 AM on the Common. The event will feature the Gardner Minutemen Pathfinder Drum Corps, Girl Scout Troop 30908, Boy Scout Troop 39, and Cub Scout Pack 39. Additionally, there will be a reading of veterans’ names from the Revolutionary War. Light refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the program.

Princeton

On Sunday, May 26, 2027, a parade will start at 1 p.m. from the First Congregational Church and proceed to Woodlawn Cemetery for a ceremony. Before the parade, veterans and their families are invited to a reception at the First Congregational Church at noon.

Royalston

Memorial Day Observance

Date: Monday, May 27, 2024

Time: 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Address: South Village Gazebo Royalston, MA 01368

See map: Google Maps

Shirley

Shirley’s Memorial Day Schedule for Saturday, May 25, 2024:

• Veterans are requested to gather at the Legion at 8:00 a.m.
• Ceremonies will take place at the following locations:
  • 9:30 a.m.: Shirley Center
  • 10:15 a.m.: Harvard Road Cemetery
  • 10:45 a.m.: St. Anthony’s Cemetery (Shaker Road)
  • 11:00 a.m.: Maritime Veterans Memorial Bridge
  • 11:15 a.m.: Fredonian Park
• At 12:30 p.m., a parade will begin at the Legion and proceed towards Whitley Park.
• At 1:00 p.m., a ceremony will be held at Whitley Park.

Sterling

On Monday, May 27, 2024, the Memorial Day parade will leave the Hillside Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. and proceed to Memorial Park for the program.

Templeton

The Baldwinville American Legion Post, sponsored by the Town of Templeton’s Community Service Department, is holding a Memorial Day Program that includes an Honor Guard for military honors at area cemeteries and monuments, flag placement, and a parade.

• 7:00 a.m.: Veterans meet at the American Legion Post
• 7:30 a.m.: Honor Guard and chaplain proceed to Greenlawn Cemetery, Baldwinville, for military honors
• 7:50 a.m.: Honor Guard and chaplain arrive at Otter River WWII monument for military honors
• 8:10 a.m.: Honor Guard and chaplain arrive at East Templeton WWII monument
• 8:30 a.m.: Honor Guard and chaplain arrive in Templeton Center for military honors near the historical building
• 8:50 a.m.: Honor Guard and chaplain arrive at Pine Grove in Templeton for military honors
• 9:00 a.m.: Parade participants begin to gather at the Narragansett front parking lot
• 10:00 a.m.: Parade steps off

The parade will march to the base of the Common, where the Memorial Day program will begin at approximately 10:25 a.m.

Townsend

Memorial Day Observance in Townsend – Sunday, May 26, 2024:

Members of Townsend VFW Post No. 6538 and its Auxiliary, American Legion Post No. 199 and its Auxiliary, and DAV Chapter 122 will attend the 10:00 a.m. service at the Townsend Congregational Church as a body. Two parades and a band concert will take place in the afternoon.

All marching units will assemble at the VFW Park in West Townsend at 1:00 p.m. Pastor Jeff Willett will offer the invocation at the memorial service to be held there at 1:30 p.m. before the Veterans’ groups, accompanied by the Townsend Military Band, the Townsend Fire/EMS Department, the Townsend Minuteman Company, members of the clergy, town officials, and numerous Scout groups, march east on Main Street to Canal Street.

Flowers will be strewn upon the water from a decorated boat during the memorial service at the Canal Street Bridge in honor of those who lost their lives at sea. Pastor David Jakubiak will offer the prayer during the service at the bridge. Following the bridge service, all units will proceed to the Riverside Cemetery for a memorial service. Pastor Jakubiak will give the invocation, the Townsend Military Band will play a hymn, volleys will be fired by the American Legion Post No. 199 Firing Squad, and taps will be played.

The parade will disband after leaving the cemetery to later reform at the Spaulding Memorial School in Townsend Center. At approximately 2:35 p.m., the Townsend Minuteman Company will fire a salute at the Bicentennial Monument in front of the school before the marching units move down Turnpike Road to the Main Street Bridge. Those who lost their lives at sea will also be honored during the Main Street Bridge memorial service with flowers being strewn upon the water from a decorated boat. Rev. Dr. Gregory Schmidt will offer the invocation at the bridge.

Following the service at the bridge, the marchers will parade to Memorial Hall for a memorial service. Pastor Ernest Farrar will offer the invocation at Memorial Hall. The parade will then pass around the Common and go to the Hillside Cemetery for a memorial service where Father Sean Maher will offer the prayer.

The Freemasons of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, who will join the parade at the school, will separate from the other marchers at the cemetery so they may conduct a special memorial service at the grave of Henry Price, the founder of Masonry in America.

After leaving the cemetery, the parade will move down Highland Street to Brookline Street and into the Townsend Common. Father Maher will give the invocation during the memorial service on the Common, which will be followed by the presentation of the Gettysburg Address by a Boy Scout and Flanders Field by a Girl Scout. The parade will disband after the memorial service at the Civil War Monument on the Common.

Townsend’s Memorial Day observances will continue as the Townsend Military Band plays a concert on the Common beginning approximately fifteen minutes after the parade’s conclusion. Patriotic music and the songs of the various military branches will be performed before the Townsend Military Band concludes its Memorial Day concert at approximately 5:00 p.m. by playing the “Star Spangled Banner.”

The Townsend Memorial Day observances will be held rain or shine. It is hoped that many area residents will come out to watch the ceremonies. All Veterans and active military, with or without a uniform, and/or members of their families are encouraged to march with the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans members and to join them in honoring all deceased Comrades.

The Townsend Fire/EMS Relief Association will offer hot dogs, hamburgers, sausages with peppers and onions, chips, cold soda, and bottled water for sale at the Common throughout Sunday afternoon, May 26, beginning at 12:00 noon.

Westminster

Start your day with breakfast (free to all Veterans) at the VFW Post 7389 on Eaton Street from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., then join us as we recognize Veteran Monuments in town. We will depart the VFW at about 8:30 a.m. and make the following stops:

• 8:45 a.m.: Whitmanville Cemetery
• 9:00 a.m.: Woodside Cemetery
• 9:20 a.m.: Mount Pleasant Cemetery
• 9:30 a.m.: WWI Monument (Leominster St and Academy Hill Rd)
• 9:40 a.m.: Civil War Monument (First Congregational Church)
• 9:45 a.m.: Spanish War Monument (Bacon St near old Town Hall)
• 9:50 a.m.: VFW Veterans Monument

A multitude of civic organizations will join in our Memorial Day Parade, which begins at Lovell Street around 11:15-11:30 a.m. (when the Oakmont Band arrives) and travels along Main Street to the Gazebo atop Academy Hill. There, we will have recitals of the Gettysburg Address and Flanders Field, a guest speaker, and musical performances. Festivities conclude with a chicken BBQ open to the public at the VFW. It is best to get tickets in advance as they often sell out!

Veterans are welcome to either walk or ride in the Memorial Day parade. Complimentary veterans’ t-shirts will be available for pick-up at the Senior Center prior to the event.

Winchendon

Memorial Day Parade and Ceremonies

The Memorial Day Parade will take place on Monday, May 27, starting at 10:00 a.m. The parade will begin at the Fire Station (405 Central Street) and proceed to VFW Park before concluding at G.A.R. Park. The ceremony will be held at the G.A.R. Park Gazebo. In case of inclement weather, the parade will be canceled, but the ceremony will be held at the American Legion (295 School Street) at 11:00 a.m.