A Woodville tradition returns. What to know about the annual Memorial Day Parade

It’s become a Memorial Day tradition for me over the past 25 years or so: wake up with my usual Monday morning alarm at 6:20 a.m., fix myself a cappuccino — as close to coffee as I get — maybe check a few emails or do a little crochet, then head to the barn to do chores. Once the animals are contentedly munching their hay, I head into town to meet up with a few of “my” 4-H kids at Veterans Park to place American flags along the sidewalk for the ceremony that will happen a little later in the morning.

After that task is complete, we head over to the former American Legion building (now known as Glittering Stars Dance Co.) to catch up to the rest of the Woodville Buckeyes 4-H Club. That is where we will line up to participate in the annual Memorial Day Parade, along with members of the Legion, scouts, Woodmore Marching Band and the fire and police departments.

It is not a long parade, neither in the number of participants nor in its length, but hundreds of Woodville residents and friends will line the streets to show their respect.

The parade will step off at 8:30 a.m. Monday, beginning at Elm Street and proceeding east on Main Street. It will stop for a moment at the bridge for a memorial wreath to be dropped into the Portage River. The parade will then continue onto Bridge Street and then west on First Street to end at Veterans Park where there will be a service honoring Woodville’s fallen soldiers. The guest speaker will be Woodville Mayor Ty Tracy.

And, as always, after taps has been played and the final prayer said, an announcement will be made, inviting attendees to head over to the gym at Solomon School for a community breakfast. The pancakes and sausages are free, but donations are always welcome.

Elmore parade begins at 10:30 a.m. Monday

Elmore’s Memorial Day parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Woodmore High School, turning left onto Augusta Street right onto Fremont Street and then right again to proceed down Toledo Street. There will be a stop at the Harris-Elmore Public Library for a brief service, after which the parade will resume and take a right on Clinton Street for a ceremony at the peace point located at the intersection of Clinton and Rice streets. After the ceremony, the parade will return to the high school via Rice and Augusta streets.

After the parade, there will be a chicken barbecue at the Legion Hall starting at 11:30 a.m. until it is sold out. Dinners are $14 each and include a half-chicken, baked potato, coleslaw, roll and a cookie. It is drive-thru only.

21st annual Ball Tournament

The Woodmore Select travel ball teams are hosting a Memorial Day baseball tournament this weekend for approximately 37 teams from surrounding communities. The tournament, which began Wednesday night and will run through the weekend, includes five age groups for players 10 to 14 years old.

Games Thursday and Friday nights will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday games will begin at 8 a.m. and play will continue throughout the day. Because there are so many teams, the tournament is being played in both Woodville and Elmore.

Monday is championship day with games starting at 9 a.m. Veterans will throw the first pitch of the day at each field.

For those interested in ordering a tournament T-shirt, Thusday is the last day to place an order by contacting organizers via Facebook at Woodmore Memorial Day Baseball Tournament. If you miss the pre-sale, there will be a limited number of shirts available at the tournament fields.

Solomon Summer Camp and Care

Solomon’s Summer Camp is back with eight weekly themed camps for ages fourth and sixth grade. Each camp runs 9 a.m. to noon Monday to Friday and begins the week of June 3. The fee is $60 per child per week.

The school is also offering all-day care for grades kindergarten through sixth grade, which will include the camps and trips to the Woodville Pool. The fee is $35 per day per child. For information or to register, visit solomonelementary.com/info-events/summer-camp-care.

Reminder

Just a little reminder that this is the weekend for Woodville’s All-Town Garage Sales and the first farmers market of the season on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.

Contact Rene Dix at 419-307-0914 or via email at rene.dix@email.com.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Woodville OH tradition returns. What to know about Memorial Day Parade