(Submitted by Bowling Green Memorial Day Parade Committee)
Bowling Green’s Memorial Day Parade leaves the Federal Building parking lot at South Main and Washington streets at 10 a.m. on Monday. The parade moves north on Main Street, turns east on Court Street, makes a stop at the Wood County Courthouse for a brief wreath laying ceremony and then moves east to Thurstin Street, north to Ridge Street and then east to Oak Grove Cemetery. The annual Memorial Day Service will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery at the conclusion of the parade.
Street closures will be “rolling” meaning that roads will be closed shortly before the parade goes by and will re-open once the parade is past.
Bowling Green Mayor Dick Edwards will deliver the keynote address at the Memorial Day Service at Oak Grove Cemetery. Music will be provided by the Bowling Green High School band and vocalist Evie Van Vorhis. Members of the 14th Ohio Volunteer Infantry/3rd Arkansas Civil War re-enactors will provide rifle salutes along the parade route and at Oak Grove Cemetery.
The Paul C. Ladd VFW Post 1148 will open at 7 a.m. and host coffee and doughnuts at the post prior to the parade. Transportation from the post to the parade and in the parade will be provided for disabled veterans.
A Memorial Day Service will also be held at the Memory Gardens Cemetery on Liberty High Road at 1 pm. Edwards will be the keynote speaker at this ceremony and Evie Van Vorhis will present patriotic musical numbers. The 14th OVI will provide a rifle salute and “Taps” will be presented by Ryan Holley.
Anyone going directly to the cemetery should utilize Merry Street for access. Note that only pedestrians will be allowed access to the Ridge entrance.
In case of inclement weather, the programs will be combined for Oak Grove and Memory Gardens and will be held at the Simpson Garden Park Building, 1291 Conneaut Ave., at 10 a.m.
