Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of the summer. It's a day when many Philadelphia and South Jersey area families go to a parade, hold a family picnic or barbecue, and perhaps attend a local sporting event.
Memorial Day, however, is a day first established after the American Civil War to honor Union soldiers who dies during the conflict. For some it is still known by its original name of Decoration Day. Following World War I, the day was expanded to honor those men and women who have died in any war or conflict while serving the United States.
Parades
Unfortunately, we see far fewer Memorial Day parades than we did just twenty or thirty years ago when most local towns held parades.In Philadelphia the biggest and best Memorial Day Parade is held in the Port Richmond neighborhood. Sponsored by the Port Richmond On Patrol & Civic Association, the Port Richmond Memorial Day Parade is not funded by a huge grant or big time corporate sponsorship. It's the local businesses and residents that pay for the parade through donations and support.
The 2008 parade route is as follows: Begin at Richmond and Allegheny. West on Alleghney Avenue to Thompson Street. North on Thompson Street to Venango Street. West on Venango Street to Belgrade Street. South on Belgrade Street to Ann Street. East on Ann Street to Thompson Street. North on Thompson Street to Allegheny Avenue. West on Allegheny Avenue to Almond Street. Parade concludes at Campbell Square Park for a Flag Retiring and Raising Ceremony carried out by the Walter Mason American Legion Post 152.
It's best to gather around 9:00 a.m. for the parade to get a good spot for viewing.
The Friends of Campbell Square invite the community to stay in the park after the parade and hang out for some good music, good times and good food. They’ll be selling water ice, pretzels, hotdogs, etc. and playing music and playing games, hoping the people of Port Richmond will join them for a Memorial Day picnic.
If you know of any other Memorial Day Parades in the Philadelphia and South Jersey area email me with all of the information and we'll add it to our calendar.
War Memorials
For those who wish to honor the memories of those who died in the Korean or Vietnam Wars, Philadelphia has two beautiful memorials located within easy walking distance of each other right near Penn's Landing and Society Hill.The Philadelphia Korean War Memorial is located at Front and Dock Streets. It was dedicated on June 22, 2002 to honor the 610 servicemen who died in combat during the Korean War from the five county areas of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial is located just steps away at Front and Spruce Streets. The memorial, dedicated on October 27, 1987 was designed by landscape architect Perry M. Morgan to pay tribute to all the 80,000 Philadelphia Vietnam era veterans who served our country in our nation's longest war. Other war memorials in Philadelphia include:
- All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors located on the west side of Logan Square, 19th and the Parkway across the street from the Franklin Institute.
- Civil War Soldiers Memorial located on the north and south sides of the Ben Franklin Parkway, West of 20th Street looking toward the Art Museum.
- Over the Top "in memory of our boys of the sixth, eleventh, and twelfth wards who served in the Great War of the nations, 1914-1918" located on the northeast corner of 2nd and Spring Garden Streets.
- Pennsylvania Railroad World War II Memorial located in the main lobby of AMTRAK's 30th Street Station, Market Street between 29th and 30th.
- World War I Aero Memorial located on the east side of 20th St. between Race and the Ben Franklin Parkway across the street from the Franklin Institute.
Events
The Memorial Day weekend is filled with numerous events in the Philadelphia and South Jersey area. Among the highlights are:May 22 - June 1, 2008
The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair
The country’s oldest and largest event of its kind features contests, exhibitions and an old-fashioned fair at the Devon Show Grounds.
(610) 964-0550
May 24-26, 2008
Captain Morgan's Jam On The River
Memorial Day’s biggest party brings the best of rock and blues music to Penn’s Landing.
(215) 336-2000
May 24-26, 2008
Brandywine River Museum Antiques Show
Outstanding furniture, glass, metalware, ceramics, folk art, quilts and other fine antiques from across the nation are featured at the Brandywine River Museum.
(610) 388-2700
Opening May 24 - November 2, 2008
Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whdah
This exhibition at The Franklin Institute tells the compelling true tale of a real pirate ship that started out as a slave ship in 1715.
(215) 448-1200
