Memorial Day 2023: Your complete guide to parades and ceremonies across Central New York

Memorial Day will be celebrated on Monday.

Memorial Day is a holiday to honor and mourn U.S. military personnel who have died while serving their country. It was first widely observed in May 1868 to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers.

The day will be marked across Central New York with ceremonies, parades, barbecues, field days and family get-togethers. The holiday is also the unofficial beginning of summer.

Waterloo in Seneca County boasts it is the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is much debate among scholars over the birthplace with about 25 communities claiming that title.

Related articles:

How Waterloo, NY, became the birthplace of Memorial Day

The origin of Memorial Day: Is Waterloo’s claim to fame the result of a simple newspaper typo?

Note: Did we miss a parade or celebration in your community? Let us know using the form at the bottom of the list. Thank you!

Onondaga County

Baldwinsville

Tuesday, May 30

6 p.m.

A service will be held at the Veteran’s Monument (in front of the Post Office) at 5:45 p.m., followed by a parade. A ceremony will be held at Riverview Cemetery at 6:50 p.m.

Camillus

Monday, May 29

7:30 a.m.

Wreath-laying ceremony at Camillus Town Hall, 4600 W. Genesee St. at 7:30 a.m. Another wreath-laying ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. in the village in front of the Camillus Kayak Shop, 24 Main St. Parade begins at 9:30 a.m. at Maple Drive and West Genesee StreetA final wreath-laying ceremony will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in the village.

Camillus/Fairmount

Saturday, May 27

5:30 p.m.

Holy Family Church, 127 Chapel Drive

Mass celebrating veterans and families with patriotic music

Cicero

Monday, May 29

11 a.m.

Service at 10:30 a.m. at the Cicero Cemetery, 8554 Brewerton Road before a parade. Parade begins at 11 a.m. at Brewerton Road, proceeds to Route 31 and ends at the American Legion on Legionnaire Drive. There will be a service at the Legion monument followed by a lunch.

East Syracuse

Monday, May 29

1 p.m.

Parade starts at the bowling alley and proceeds down West Manlius Street to the Veteran’s Memorial, where a ceremony will take place.

Eastwood

Monday, May 29

9 a.m.

Parade starts at American Legion Post 1276, 102 Nichols Ave. Syracuse and ends at 2309 James St. with a ceremony and wreath laying at Greenway Veterans’ Memorial Park.

Fayetteville

Monday, May 29

9 a.m.

Parade starts at Highbridge Street and Route 5, proceeds east on Route 5 and ends at Beard Park. A brief ceremony will be held at the park.

Jamesville

Saturday, May 27

Noon

Parade begins on South Street and ends at Jamesville Elementary School. There will be a food truck at the old Jamesville food pantry following the parade and a display of military memorabilia at the firehouse.

Jordan

Monday, May 29

2:15 p.m.

Service at the Veterans Memorial Park on North Main Street at 2:15 p.m. followed by a moment of silence at 3 p.m. and the Parade of Bands at 3:05 p.m. All-day celebration in the village begins at 7 a.m. and continues until 4:30 p.m.

Liverpool

Monday, May 29

10 a.m.

Service in Johnson Park at 9 a.m. with American Legion Post 188, followed by a parade at 10 a.m. Parade goes from Johnson Park onto Route 57 to the village cemetery and back. Live music in Johnson Park starting at noon.

Manlius

Monday, May 29

11 a.m.

Parade begins at Routes 173 and 92 and ends at 1 Arkie Albanese Ave. There will be a brief ceremony at the village center following the parade.

Marcellus

Monday, May 29

10 a.m.

Parade begins at 10 a.m. on Reed Parkway across from the Middle School and proceeds to Slocombe Avenue, where it concludes with a ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Veteran’s Monument in the village center.

Minoa

Monday, May 29

11 a.m.

Parade in the village starts at Lewis Park, proceeds up Main Street (Costello Parkway) to Osborne Street to East Avenue and ends at the village office. There will be a ceremony following the parade at the memorial in front of the Municipal Building, 240 N. Main St.

North Syracuse

Monday, May 29

9:30 a.m.

Parade starts at Lonergan Park and heads north on NYS Route 11/N. Main St., ending at Veteran’s Memorial Park. VFW Post 7290 will host a Veterans Memorial Service at Veterans Memorial Park (Route 11 and Centerville Place) following the parade.

Skaneateles

Tuesday, May 30

9 a.m.

A ceremony at the flag area at the Skaneateles American Legion Post 239, Wainwright Drive, followed by a parade at 9 a.m. Route goes north and ends with a ceremony at St. Mary’s Cemetery. The procession continues south to Lakeview Cemetery for another brief ceremony. Last stop will be east to Shotwell Park for a ceremony.

Solvay

Monday, May 29

10 a.m.

Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park, 1000 Woods Road. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be moved indoors to the pavilion area. Refreshments provided.

Syracuse/Geddes

Sunday, May 28

5 p.m.

Watchfire at the New York State Fairgrounds.

Cayuga County

Auburn

Monday, May 29

11 a.m.

Parade begins on Genesee Street and ends at Veteran’s Memorial Park with a wreath-laying ceremony. Food and music follow the parade. This year also sees the return of the Duck Derby.

Weedsport

Monday, May 29

9 a.m.

Memorial Day Salute at the Jr.-Sr. High School, 2821 East Brutus St. Following the salute, visitors are encouraged to walk or drive through displays, exhibits and performances outside the school. Ceremonies begin at 9:40 a.m. and conclude with the Watch Fire ceremony. Refreshments will be provided before the ceremonies for veterans. If weather is inclement, all ceremonies will be held inside the school auditorium.

Cortland County

Cortland

Monday, May 29

9 a.m.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 46 North Main Street

A Mass will be held.

Preble

Monday, May 29

11 a.m.

Parade begins on Preble Road and proceeds west to Route 281, then north to Elmwood Cemetery on 281 for a wreath-laying ceremony.

Truxton

Monday, May 29

10 a.m.

Parade from 6337 Academy St. proceeds to the cemetery on Route 13 for a memorial service

Madison County

Canastota

Monday, May 29

10 a.m.

Parade will begin at North Peterboro Street (NYS Route 13) and Wilson Avenue and proceed south through the village, ending at Clark Park at South Peterboro Street and NYS Route 5. There will be a service at the park following the parade.

Cazenovia

Monday, May 29

10:30 a.m.

Parade route goes from the high school, down Forman Street to Main Street, then Lincklaen Street and ends back at the high school. A ceremony will take place at Lake Summit Memorial Park following the parade.

Munnsville

Saturday, May 27

10 a.m.

Parade begins at Ferris Drive/North Main Street and ends at 5210 South Main Street. Munnsville American Legion Post 54 will hold its annual Memorial Day Remembrance at Carlon Field following the parade.

Oneida

Friday, May 26

7 p.m.

Parade begins at Main Street and ends at North Main Street. Fireworks follow the parade at dusk.

Oswego County

Caughdenoy

Monday, May 29

10:30 a.m.

Parade from the Red Onion to the Caughdenoy Cemetery, where there will be a ceremony.

Central Square

Monday, May 29

9 a.m.

Parade begins at Paul V. Moore High School, 44 School Drive and ends at Veterans Park with a ceremony. Brunch follows at the American Legion Fuller-Taylor Post, 915, 3301 Fulton Ave.

Fulton

Saturday, May 27

10 a.m.

Parade in the city down Broadway to the War Memorial kicks off the Memorial Day Salute, followed by food and entertainment. Ceremony at 7 p.m. at the Watchfire at Denesha Park.

Hannibal

Monday, May 29

11 a.m.

Celebration will be held in the Village Square.

Mexico

Monday, May 29

10 a.m.

Parade begins at North Street and Lincoln Avenue and ends at the Mexico Village Cemetery, where there will be a ceremony.

Parish

Monday, May 29

10 a.m.

Parade starts at Rider and Union St. and ends at the Pleasant Lawn cemetery for a ceremony.

Phoenix

Monday, May 29

Noon

Parade begins near Byrne Dairy on Route 57 and proceeds down Main Street to Culvert Street. Field Days and a chicken barbecue will also take place at VFW Post 5540, 70 Culvert St. all Memorial Day weekend.

Sandy Creek/Lacona

Monday, May 29

9:30 a.m.

Ceremony at 9 a.m. at Westleyan Cemetery. Ceremony at Woodlawn Cemetery follows at 10:15 a.m. Parade starts at 11 a.m. and proceeds from the library, 6064 S. Main St., Sandy Creek to the VFW Post, 10 Cable Trail, Lacona. A memorial service will follow the parade at the post.

Town of Oswego

Monday, May 29

10 a.m.

Service will be held at the Oswego Town Rural Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Fruit Valley.

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Contact Sharon Dellinger at 315-470-2265 or by email.