Memorial Day: Town-by-town events in Central Jersey (2024)

Memorial Day: Town-by-town events in Central Jersey (1)

The Women’s Club of North Brunswick and North Brunswick High School Model UN Club got a head start on Memorial Day observances when they replaced tattered American flags at the grave sites of veterans at Elmwood Cemetery on May 19.

Through their volunteer efforts, more than 400 flags were added or replaced to remember the men and women for protecting our freedom in wartime. This tradition, which has has taken place through the years, was sponsored this year by the North Brunswick Remembers World War ICentennial Committee, American Legion Post 459 and Elmwood Cemetery Association.

There are plenty more activities planned to observe Memorial Day in Central Jersey. Following is just a sampling of what's taking place.

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend.

More:5 Memorial Day activities that don't involve parades

More:Don't wait for Memorial Day: Where to get BBQ in NJ

HUNTERDON COUNTY

Califon

ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 11 a.m. Monday.

Flemington

ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 10 a.m.Monday. Participants will step off from Church and Main streets andcontinue down Main Street to the monument. Anyone wishing to take part in the parade or wants more information can call the VFW's Bob Godown at 908-391-3399. www.historicflemington.com.

Frenchtown

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: Monday. Service at Frenchtown Cemetery at 9 a.m.; parade at 10 a.m. Held by the American Legion.

Glen Gardner

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY: 10 a.m. Monday, May 28, Spruce Run Memorial VFW Post, 179 Main St. Followed by refreshments.

Lambertville

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 9 a.m.Monday. Parade steps off at the corner of North Union and Cherry Street. The parade will follow its normal route.lambertvillenj.org.

Raritan Township

MEMORIAL SERVICE: 8:30 a.m. Monday. Raritan Township Municipal Building, 1 Municipal Drive, Flemington.

Readington

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 10:30 a.m.Monday. Begins at the Kings parking lot, corner of routes 22 and 523, and travels down Main Street. Community Day in Pickell Park, behind the Municipal Building, after parade.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

GOLD STAR PARENT ID: Servicemen and women who were killed in active duty for our nation were remembered during a ceremony May 19. In addition to raising a Killed In Action Flag on the flagpole outside of the Middlesex County Courthouse, the Board of Chosen Freeholders recognized Barbara and Trent Rhoads, the parents of US Army Specialist Ryan Rhoads, who died in May 2015. The couple also received the County Clerk’s first Gold Star Parent ID Card.

Memorial Day: Town-by-town events in Central Jersey (2)

Carteret

MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES: Sunday. Casting of memorial wreaths, flag raising and waterfront service at Carteret Waterfront Park, 8 a.m. Veterans Alliance ceremonies at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial at Carteret Park, noon. Annual parade, beginning at Doc Fenick Memorial Clock Tower, corner of Washington Avenue and Louis Street, with town barbecue to follow. Veterans, active duty service personnel and their family members are invited to attend a private dinner reception at VFW Post #2314, 289 Pershing Ave. Registration: 732-541-3801. www.ci.carteret.nj.us.

Cranbury

LIONS CLUB ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 1 p.m.Monday. Parade forms at 12:30 p.m. at the corner of Station Road and South Main Street.Parade will travel north to Plainsboro Road, east to Maplewood Avenue, south to Park Place East, west to North Main Street and south to Memorial Park. Ceremony remembering and honoring veterans and active service membersin Memorial Park following the parade. www.cranbury.org/clubs/Lions/servclub.htm.

Dunellen

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 10 a.m. Monday. Starts at Dunellen Library, ceremony at Washington Park, North Washington Avenue, after the parade.

East Brunswick

MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE: 1 p.m. Sunday. Veterans Park at the East Brunswick Municipal Complex, 1 Jean Walling Civic Center Drive. Includes veterans ceremony, flag raising, presentation of wreaths, dedication of Veterans Tribute Pavers and a mini-patriotic concert.Held byVFW Memorial Post #133. Rain or shine.Call 732-390-6797,www.eastbrunswick.org.

Edison

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: Noon Sunday. Starting from Division Street and ending at Oakland Avenue and Father and Son Post 435 for refreshments. www.edisonnj.org.

MEMORIAL DAY MONUMENT SERVICES: 8 a.m. Monday. Service at all Post homes, 8 a.m.;Menlo Park Soldiers Home, 8:45 a.m.;Street dedication (Doris Court andJean Place), Andrew L Toth, SP5, 9:20 a.m.;Street dedication (Third Street andHoover Avenue), Sgt. Edward Sarancak, WW2 Army, 10 a.m.;Town Hall, 100 Municipal Blvd., 10:30 a.m.;Street Dedication (Ovington Avenue andSkyler), Master Sgt. Joseph F. Augustine, WW2 Army, 10:50 a.m.;Edison Memorial Service, Veterans Park, with Mayor Thomas Lankey and all Post commanders, 11:15 a.m. www.edisonnj.org.

Helmetta

MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE: 7:30 a.m. Monday. St. George's Church.

MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE: 7:45 a.m. Monday. Fireman's Memorial.

Highland Park

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 11 a.m. Monday. Starts in New Brunswick (Monument Square) and proceeds to the Doughboy Statue.www.hpboro.com.

Jamesburg

MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE: 7:15 a.m. Monday. Holy Trinity Church.

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: Monday. Steps off at 10 a.m. sharp from Veterans Park.jamesburgborough.org.

Metuchen

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 10 a.m. Monday. Starts at Edgar Middle School, travels down Main Street and ends at the plaza downtown. Followed by ceremony at 11:30 a.m.

Middlesex Borough

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday. Ceremonies will be heldat 10:30 a.m.at Victor Crowell Park, off Route 28, followed by the parade at 11 a.m.The parade will travel along Deleware Avenue, Harris Avenue, Marlborough Avenue, Wellington Street, Mountain Avenue, and Legion Place,where refreshments will be served at Legion Hall.

Milltown

MILLTOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES AND SILENT MARCH: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday. Starts at the Cottage Avenue Fire House and goes to the South Main Street Firehouse.

Monroe

MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES ANDWREATH LAYING CEREMONIES: Monday. Ceremony at Veteran's Monument in municipal complex, 1 Municipal Plaza, 9 a.m. Ceremony at Veteran's Monument in Veterans Park, Avenue K, 9:45 a.m. Monroe and Jamesburg veteran's organizationsinvited to participate. Free bus service provided to and from municipal complex and Veterans Park for attending veterans. 732-521-4400, ext. 114.

New Brunswick

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 11 a.m.Monday. Starts at Monument Square andproceeds into Highland Park. Hosted by Veterans Alliance of Raritan Valley.

North Brunswick

NORTH BRUNSWICK MEMORIAL DAY COMMEMORATION CEREMONY: 11 a.m. Monday. Veterans Park.

39th ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY 5K RUN/WALK/TEAM EVENT: Monday.Check in 7:30 a.m., run/walk/team event 8:30 a.m. North Brunswick Community Park, Route 130 South.

Old Bridge

WREATH LAYING CEREMONY: 10:30 a.m. Friday. Senior Center, Municipal Complex. 732-721-5600, ext. 4999.

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 9 a.m. Monday. Startsat Laurence Parkway and Ely Avenue. Presented by Old Bridge Township. 732-721-5600, ext. 4999.

Perth Amboy

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 10 a.m. Monday. Starts at the cornerof Smith Street andWilson Street. Ceremony and light luncheon following parade.

Piscataway

MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE: Monday. Service at 9 a.m. at Veterans Park, in section of Possumtown Park at 190 Possumtown Road, presided over by Mayor Brian C. Wahler. Ceremony at 10 a.m.at American Legion Hall Post 261, 840 S. Washington Ave. Parade at 11 a.m. starts at the Arbor Firehouse, 1780 W.7th Ave., and ends at American Legion Hall.Parade notables include Grand Marshall Patricia McElhaney, Queen Isabella Scott, Poppy Princess Leah Mendoza, Poppy Paige Norah Turner and Piscataway red wagon kids Dominick andJace Centanni. Upon the completion of the parade, residents are invited to a hot dog lunch at American Legion Post 261.

Plainsboro

WREATH LAYING CEREMONY: 10 a.m.Monday. Plainsboro Memorial, 641 Plainsboro Road.www.plainsboronj.com.

Sayreville

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 10 a.m. Monday. Starts on Elizabeth Street, proceeds to Washington Avenue to Borough Hall.

South Brunswick

POST 401 MEMORIAL DAY REMEMBRANCE SERVICES: 11 a.m. Monday. Front lawn of the Lt. John Farnkopf American Legion Post 401, 148 Major Road,Monmouth Junction. During the ceremony, John Buchinski of North Brunswick will be recognized for 50 years of continuous membership. Mayor Charley Carlie has been invited to speak; Gary Cooper, post commander, and Mary Halecki, auxiliary president, will present the ceremonial wreaths which honor those who gave their lives in military service to the United States. Music by the South Brunswick High School Band. Refreshments following the ceremony.

Spotswood

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 2 p.m. Monday. SWM Int’l, 85 Main St. Proceeds down Main Street to DeVoe Avenue to American Legion Post 253. Reviewing stand at Kearny Federal Savings. No rain date. Participants will line up at 1 p.m. Refreshments for all participants at the American Legion Post. $200 prize for best float. www.spotswoodboro.com.

MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE: 8 a.m. Monday. Reformed Church.

MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE: 8:15 a.m. Monday. St. Peter's Church.

MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE: 9:30 a.m. Monday. EMS Memorial.

MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE: 9:45 a.m. Monday. Fireman's Memorial.

MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE: 10 a.m. Monday. Police Memorial.

MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE: 10:15 a.m. Monday. Veteran's Walkway.

Woodbridge

MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE: 11 a.m.Sunday. Special Memorial Day service in honor of Cpl. Kevin J. Reinhard. Reinhard, assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, was one of six U.S. Marines who died in the line of duty in January 2012 while supporting combat operations in Afghanistan as part of Operating Enduring Freedom. The service takes place at the gazebo in Charlie Shaughnessy Park, Inman Avenue, Colonia. Following the service, the Colonia VFW will host a BBQ. Tickets $20 per person, children under 10 free. Tickets can be purchased by contacting VFW Post #6061 at 732-574-9783 or Councilwoman Debbie Meehan at 732-382-0273.

MEMORIAL DAY MASS: 11 a.m.Monday. St. Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia. With Most Rev. Manuel A. Cruz.

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE:7:30 a.m. Monday. Parade and service at the Keasbey War Memorial Monument Park, at the foot of the Edison Bridge on Smith Street. The parade steps off from the Keasbey Fire Department, 420 Smith St., and will march to the Keasbey War Memorial Park on Smith Street for a 8 a.m. memorial service.

SOMERSET COUNTY

Bedminster

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE:Monday. Starts with ceremony at 10 a.m. at the cornerof Elm and Main (Route 202) streets, followed by the parade. Parade marches down to Far Hills for another ceremony. Followed by hot dogs and lemonade in the Far Hills fairgrounds. Held by Far Hills-Bedminster Fire Department.www.bedminster.us.

Bernards

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 9:30 to 11 a.m. Monday. Finley Avenue from Collier Lane to West Oak Street. bernards.org.

Bound Brook

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 10 a.m. Monday. Bound Brook Memorial Library, Hamilton and High streets, to War Memorial on Route28. The parade route runsfrom the library starting west on High Street, turning right onto Church Streetand then left onto Union Avenue (Route 28) to the War Memorial on Vosseller and Union Avenue, where the traditional Memorial Day ceremonies will take place.Ceremonies, speeches, music. No rain date.Email BBMemorialDay@gmail.com.

Bridgewater

MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE: 11 a.m. Monday. Veterans Park, Chimney Rock Road. Held byVFW POST 6588.

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE AND SERVICES: 11 a.m. Monday. Bradley Gardens section of Bridgewater. Refreshments will be served at end of the parade and service. Trophies will be awarded to groups in the parade at the American Legion Post, Old York Road.

Far Hills

See Bedminster

Green Brook

Participates with Dunellen

Hillsborough

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE AND COMMEMORATION: Saturday. Garden of Honor. Grand Marshal Tim Coyle, Air Force veteran,will lead the parade that begins at the corner of Auten and Triangle roads at 10:30 a.m. Proceeds from Auten Road onto
New Amwell Road then onto Beekman Lane, concluding at the Garden of Honor. Coyle will be the featured speaker during the Garden of Honor ceremony that begins at 11:15 a.m.at the Municipal Complex. Rain date for the parade and Garden of Honor ceremonies is Sunday. All Hillsborough veterans are invited to participate in the 13th annual Salute to Veterans Breakfast and to lead the parade and commemoration program. Registration is required for the breakfast and can be completed online at the township’s Parks and Recreation website, by calling the Parks and Recreation Department at 908-369-4832 or by completing the paper registration form. The commemorative program will kick off with the breakfast at the Peter J. Biondi Municipal Building at 7:30 a.m. Rain or shine. www.hillsborough-nj.org.

Millstone

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE —"FREEDOM IS NOT FREE": Monday. Parade line-up begins at 8:45 a.m. at the Clarksburg Post Office. Parade starts at 9:30 a.m. sharp. Ceremonies will be held rain or shine. Held by the Millstone Township Veterans' Memorial Council. 732-446-9753.

Montgomery

MEMORIAL DAY FLAG RAISING: 9 a.m. Monday. Montgomery Veterans Memorial,adjacent to the upper parking lot of Montgomery Veterans Park, Harlingen Road.Brief flag raising to honor the servicemen and servicewomen who gave their lives serving the United States. Presented by the Montgomery TownshipVeterans Memorial Committee. Email mvmc@twp.montgomery.nj.us.

North Plainfield

MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS: 9 a.m. Monday. Vermeule Cemetery. Fire bell ceremony at Lincoln Place and Somerset Street at 9:30 a.m. Brook Avenue Cemetery ceremony at 10 a.m. World War II Monument ceremony at the North Plainfield Library at 10:30 a.m. Exercises at 11 a.m. in Memorial Park at Willow and Myrtle at Washington avenues.Participants will include Storr Richie Post 506, VFW; Ball Kirch Post 265, American Legion; the school community, Girl and Boy Scouts and civic organizations. In the event of rain, ceremonies will be cancelled.

Peapack-Gladstone

CEREMONY: 10 a.m Monday. Liberty Park, Main Street, Peapack.www.peapackgladstone.org.

Raritan Borough

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY: 11 a.m. Monday. New Veterans Park, Old York Road.

Rocky Hill

ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE: 11 a.m. Monday. Panicaro Park.www.rockyhill-nj.gov.

Somerville

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE AND SERVICES: 9 a.m. Monday. New Cemetery.

TOUR OF SOMERVILLE: The 75th annual Tour of Somerville bike race series runs Thursday through Monday. The event includes parades, kidsactivities, music, entertainment, food, and athletic competition. Three days of racing beginning with the Bound Brook Criterium on Saturday;Sprint Races on Sunday; and culminating with the Tour of Somerville on Monday. Olympic champions including Tour de France winner Greg LeMond and Olympic gold medalist Eric Heiden.www.tourofsomerville.org.

South Bound Brook

MEMORIAL SERVICE: 10:30 a.m. Monday. Memorial Park, Elizabeth Street. Followed by memorial service for firemen at the firehouse.

Warren

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE AND MEMORIAL SERVICES: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday. Sponsored by the American Legion Post 293. The parade route will begin at 173 Old Washington Valley Road and turn left onto Mt. Bethel Road and proceed to Mountain Boulevard where it will proceed to the municipal complex. Following the parade, there will be a memorial service and wreath lying at the Veteran's Monument in the center of the Municipal Complex. Free refreshments at the American Legion, 12 Community Place (off Stirling Road) after the parade.

Watchung

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY: 9:30 a.m. Monday. In front of the War Memorial at the Texier House, 10 Mountain Blvd. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held inside Borough Hall, 15 Mountain Blvd.Held by The mayor and borough councilwww.watchungnj.gov.

UNION COUNTY

Berkeley Heights

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 9:30 a.m.Monday. Starts at Berekley Hieghts Rescue Squad, corner of Snyder and Locust avenues; ends at Veterans Memorial Park, Park and Plainfield avenues. Ceremony for veterans following the parade. Refreshments. www.berkeleyheightstwpnj.gov.

Fanwood

7th ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT: 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Northside lawn ofthe Fanwood Train Station. The concert’s theme, "A Tribute to Fallen Heroes," will be recognized throughout the night as the Westfield Community Band will play patriotic tunes and traditional marches to commemorate all the men and women who lost their lives during military service for our country. Concludes with speeches from local dignitaries, veterans and family members. Bring chair. Presented through the generosity of local donors, including individuals, businesses and community organizations, that underwrite the expenses of staging the concert.

ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY OF REMEMBRANCE: 9 a.m. Monday. Fanwood War Memorial in front of the library, North Avenue and Tillotson Road. Mayor Colleen Mahr and members of the Fanwood Borough Council will host local veterans groups and dignitaries for the placing of wreaths and the reading of the names of Fanwoodians lost in combat, followed by a gun salute.

ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 10:45 a.m. Monda. Parade gets underway in Scotch Plains at 10:45 a.m. and makes its way south on Park and Martine avenues through Fanwood, ending on LaGrande Avenue. The parade’s overarching theme, "Remember and Honor All Those Who Sacrificed," will be celebrated through military honor guards, regional high school bands, first responders and several community groups and they march through Scotch Plains and Fanwood. Parade will be led by Marine Corps Col. Konstantine E. Zoganas, this year’s grand marshal, and will be accompanied by Ed Miller and Joe Nagy of Fanwood, the 2017 grand marshals who did not get to ride in the parade due to inclement weather last year. Funded by the Borough of Fanwood and the Township of Scotch Plains.

New Providence

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 10 a.m. Monday, May 28.Parade kicks off at 10 a.m.along Springfield Avenue between Central Avenue and Academy Street. After the parade, American Legion Post #433 (next to the library) and the DeCorso Community Center, 15 East 4th St.,invite everyone for hot dogs and light refreshments. www.newprov.org.

Plainfield

PLAINFIELD MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY: 10 a.m. Monday, May 28, Plainfield City Hall, 515 Watchung Ave., Plainfield. Held by Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and the City of Plainfield. www.plainfieldnj.gov.

Scotch Plains

See Fanwood.www.scotchplainsnj.gov/calendar/memorial-day-weekend-2018/.

ELSEWHERE

Holmdel

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday. The Vietnam Era Museum and Educational Center, 1 Memorial Lane, will be open to the public free of charge. New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial FoundationBoard of Directors Trustee Jim Cusick will preside over the ceremony. Chuck Sevola, vice president and head of Prudential’s Veteran Initiatives office and an Army Veteran, is this year’s keynote speaker. The program will include a presentation of wreaths by various area organizations; music by Sandra Ward;a presentation of colors by Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 200; and an invocation by Joe Formola, chaplain of the New Jersey State Council of Vietnam Veterans of America.An “In Memory” program will honor those who served in Vietnam and returned home, but later died as a result of their tour. Among thesix names beinginducted: Thomas Hazel Jr., of Old Bridge, andRichard Kunch, of Piscataway. Visit njvvmf.org.

Princeton

MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATIONS: Saturday. Princeton Battlefield, 500 Mercer St. Living history events will be held throughout the day.With muskets and cannons, there will be tactical formations and drills, and a combined arms assault reenactment of the two-phased battle, with marching, loading and firing volleys. Bring the family to see a typical American Revolution military camp with cooking and other domestic activities of camp followers. The camp will be set up in the morning and struck after 4 p.m.General George Washington, as portrayed by Sam Davis, will give his greetings and answer questions. Children's activities, tours, more.609-389-5657.

Read more articles and stay in touch with your local news by clickinghere

Email news tips tocnmetro@MyCentralJersey.comorhntmetro@MyCentralJersey.com

Staff Writer Brad Wadlow: 908-243-6604; bwadlow@gannettnj.com

Memorial Day: Town-by-town events in Central Jersey (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Jeremiah Abshire

Last Updated:

Views: 5973

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jeremiah Abshire

Birthday: 1993-09-14

Address: Apt. 425 92748 Jannie Centers, Port Nikitaville, VT 82110

Phone: +8096210939894

Job: Lead Healthcare Manager

Hobby: Watching movies, Watching movies, Knapping, LARPing, Coffee roasting, Lacemaking, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Jeremiah Abshire, I am a outstanding, kind, clever, hilarious, curious, hilarious, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.