Roscoe's Memorial Day Parade is in limbo, organizers turn to public for support

The annual VFW Memorial Day Parade in Roscoe may not be a go this year.

Parade organizers are asking supporters and participants to attend the village board meeting Tuesday, May 21, to show support for the parade.

VFW Post 2955 Commander Ruben Hernandez said this year's parade has come in doubt after a meeting last week with village Administrator Joe Kurlinkus.

He said Kurlinkus did not want to issue a permit for the parade at the time because only about dozen people had signed up to participate in the parade.

Hernandez said it is difficult to get an accurate count as participants often show up the day of the parade and file in at the rear.

While the parade has been a holiday staple for years in Roscoe, Hernandez did admit that there were not a lot of participants last year.

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"We lost participants due to COVID," he said, "and we're trying to work our way back up."

He also said, "The Memorial Day Parade is not a celebration. It's to honor our fallen comrades. No matter how small or big has no relevance."

Meanwhile, flyers have already been posted throughout the village stating the parade will step off at 10 a.m. at Bridge and Main streets, proceed north to Main and Broad streets, and then east to the Roscoe Cemetery where there will be a calling out of names of those lost.

Monday, Kurlinkus said without knowing how many people will be participating in the parade, he does not know how many police officers will be needed and how many streets to block off.

"We're still working with them to try to see it move forward," he said.

Tuesday's board meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Roscoe Village Hall, 10631 Main St.

Chris Green is a Rockford Register Star general assignment reporter. He can be reached at 815-987-1241, via email at cgreen@rrstar.com and X @chrisfgreen.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: With no permit issued, Roscoe's Memorial Day Parade is in doubt