The Spirit of Princeton invites the community to the annual Memorial Day Parade and Dedication Ceremony Saturday, May 24. The parade begins on Nassau Street and Princeton Avenue at 10 a.m. and heads toward Princeton Monument Hall (former Borough Hall) for the 11 a.m. dedication ceremony. The parade features veteran’s groups, marching bands, civic and youth groups, all marching to honor those who have died in military service to their country.

The keynote speaker is Elena Duffy from Team Rubicon, an organization that unites skills and experiences of military veterans with those of civilian first responders to deploy emergency response teams in the fastest and most effective manner. Among the nearly three dozen participating groups are: the Princeton Police and Color Guard, American Legion Post 76, Princeton Girl Choir, Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad, MacGregor Pipe Band, Colonial Musketeer Fife & Drum Corps, Burlington City High School Band, Hightstown High School Marching Band, 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment, local Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops, Little League and Girls Softball Association teams, and a Patriotic Bike Brigade for Princeton school youngsters. All current active duty or veteran service men and women throughout Central Jersey are encouraged to walk in the parade.

Small American flags will be distributed for free to children along the parade route. These and other parade expenses are paid by the Spirit of Princeton, a charitable non-profit group of local residents dedicated to bringing the community together through a variety of civic events, such as the Memorial Day Parade, Flag Day Ceremony, Veterans’ Day Ceremony and Independence Day Fireworks. Donations to Spirit of Princeton are encouraged via the organization’s website www.spiritofprinceton.org.

The parade and ceremony will take place rain or shine. No political campaigning is allowed, but local officials will be recognized along the parade route. Participating veterans can park at Monument Hall. Shuttle service is available to the parade start. Parade watchers can have breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon at the Princeton Rotary Pancake Breakfast on Palmer Square Green. For more information, call (609) 430-0144 or visit: www.spiritofprinceton.org.