STAFFORD CONNECTICUT

​Parade Route

Steps off from the corner of East Main Street and Furnace Avenue, proceeds up Main Street to West Main Street, and conclude at the Wall of Honor (143 W Main Street). New parade-end logistics are being updated and will be forwarded to registrants and posted once completed.

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Parade Line-up: 

Begins at 10:00am on Furnace Avenue, from the corner of East Main Street to Silver Street (this section of road closed to thru-traffic beginning at 10:00am.

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Step-off: 

11:00am sharp from Furnace Avenue!

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PARADE ENDING – NEW LOCATION AT THE WALL OF HONOR

The parade will conclude with a memorial ceremony at the Wall of Honor in Veterans Memorial Park (134 West Main Street).

 

Attending Ceremony at the Wall of Honor:

• All parade marchers will turn right onto Olympic Circle and gather around the Wall of Honor until the ceremony begins. Enjoy the procession passing by!

• All parade vehicles and floats will continue past the Wall of Honor, then veer right onto Monson Road/Route 32N, take the first right onto Summer Street, and continue down Olympic Avenue to park.

• Drivers and riders then offload and walk to the Wall of Honor for the ceremony.

 

Not Attending Ceremony:

If you are not attending the ceremony, all vehicles may exit the parade route via 190 West or 32 North.

Important: Do not stop along the parade route to drop off passengers—no stopping on the parade route.

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Participation Guidelines

 

• Please pre-register to be a parade participant 

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• Respectful and Family-Appropriate Entries – To preserve the integrity and spirit of the event, all parade entries must be respectful, family-appropriate, and show proper regard for fellow participants. The American flag must be displayed with dignity and in accordance with U.S. Flag Code.

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• Group Identification and Veteran Recognition – Organizations may identify themselves with a group banner or sign. In doing so, participants are especially encouraged to honor veterans—whether a family member, friend, local resident, or through a general message (e.g., “ABC Group Honors Our Fallen Heroes”)—as part of their signage.

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• Conduct and Safety – All participants are expected to follow directions from Stafford Police, CERT members, Public Works, and Town Staff, who will be managing safety, conduct, and traffic flow. Courteous and safe behavior is required at all times during parade staging, procession, and dismissal. Please be mindful that the parade includes a wide variety of participants—from large vehicles and military personnel to small children and community groups.

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• Campaigning and Advocacy Materials – In the spirit of fostering a respectful and unifying atmosphere for the Memorial Day Parade, participants are asked to voluntarily refrain from displaying or distributing political, campaign, or advocacy-related materials. This includes — but is not limited to — signs, banners, attire, literature, or vehicle decorations that explicitly promote specific candidates, social causes, or viewpoints. Participation from all groups is encouraged, and you are welcome to identify your organization by name. To help preserve the neutral and commemorative nature of the event, we simply ask that messaging remain general rather than issue-specific or campaign-focused. For additional identification context, please refer to the Group Identification and Veteran Recognition section above.

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• Giveaway Restrictions – No balloons, flyers, promotional literature, or branded giveaways may be distributed. Only small, unbranded items such as candy, handheld flags, or pinwheels may be handed directly to spectators at the curb. Throwing items from vehicles or floats is not allowed for safety reasons.

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• Prohibited Items and Advertising – Inappropriate language, behavior, confetti, and glitter are strictly prohibited. Commercial advertising is not permitted, as the parade is not a promotional venue or marketing opportunity, but a tribute to those who have served and sacrificed.

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• Music – If you choose to play music during the parade, please ensure your selections are patriotic in nature and appropriate for the occasion.

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Detours & Closures

• Furnace Avenue: closed from the corner of East Main Street (near the Stafford Savings Bank Main Branch) to Silver Street. 

• High Street: from Furnace Avenue to the corner of Silver Street. 

• From 9:00am - noon, a parking ban will be enforced on Main Street.

• Olympic Avenue 

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Questions & Assistance

If you receive an error message upon submittal or have questions, please call 860.851.0243 or email amberw@staffordct.org