Preparations for the Kennett Memorial Day Parade are going perfectly according to the new parade chairperson Dave Haradon. “We have a new rookie volunteer production committee of 21 people who are working together with the Taylor family and employees to produce an amazing post-COVID parade for our Kennett Square community,” Haradon said.

He noted that the Taylor family and Taylor Oil employees have 17 years of experience at planning the popular parade, and they have provided invaluable assistance this year.

“This has been an amazing experience to help bring this great event back to Kennett Square from the doldrums of the past two years. Everyone is ready for our Memorial Day parade,” stated Bo Wright, director of the newly renamed Kennett Collaborative. “Our new name (formerly known as the Historic Kennett Square organization) is a perfect example of how we are working collaboratively with other organizations and volunteer groups to make Kennett Square an extraordinary community for everyone.”

According to parade sponsor recruiters Bill Taylor, David Madans and Barry Ritz, this year’s parade committee has amassed a record number of sponsors which, in turn, has allowed the organizers to attract a large number of participants.

This year, Longwood Gardens enthusiastically stepped up to become the parade’s Platinum Sponsor. “We’re thrilled the Memorial Day Parade is coming back to Kennett Square to pay tribute to our fallen heroes,” said Longwood Gardens president and CEO Paul B. Redman. “Bringing community together is a collective effort and we are proud to be just one of many who donate their time, talents, and resources to ensure that Kennett Square is a thriving and welcoming town.”

Other community sponsor organizations who have committed to helping pay tribute to the military heroes are  the following:

• Gold Sponsors: The American Mushroom Institute, Taylor Oil & Propane, and Waters Retail Group.
• Silver sponsors: American Legion Post 491, Kennett Square VFW Post #5467, The Mushroom Festival, Fenstermacher & Company, Century 21 Pierce & Bair and Perna & Abrecht.
• Bronze Sponsors: AIS Insurance Group, DiMatteo Financial Group, G. Guizzetti and Sons, Grieco Funerals, Kathy Barry Agency, LLC, Kennett Square KAU Little League, Kuzo Funeral Home, Letty’s Tavern, Mighty Writers, Phillips Mushroom Farms LP, The Market at Liberty Place, Tri-M Corp and WSFS. 
• Other Sponsors: The Law office of David B. Myers and Madison Settlement Services.

There will be new acts and returning acts to excite kids and adults as the community pays tribute to the fallen heroes. Joe Zenisek, the Post Commander of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5467 stated, “With the drastic impact on millions of lives occurring with the Ukrainian war situation, it is vitally important for everyone to turn out on Memorial Day to acknowledge the importance of our military men and women, past and future, who are serving domestically and internationally to fight for lasting peace in our world.”

To help educate the children in the Kennett Square community, local boy scouts will be walking in advance along the parade route to hand out 4,000 American flags to all kids who attend the parade. There will also be many other youth groups participating, including girl scouts, cub scouts, high school bands and dance groups.

Keeping track of the many, many parade participants is a daunting, year-round task that Lorraine Spencer of Taylor Oil has executed for more than 17 years. 

“During this committee transition year, the parade participant lineup is looking great,” said new parade committee member Janie Bair of Century 21 Pierce & Bair, who has voluntarily dedicated many of her sales team member’s efforts to help Lorraine manage the parade participants list.

“We have a new website (www.KennettMemorial Day Parade.com) that entries can easily register their parade participation and communicate with us via email,” said Bair. “Using digital technology this year has really helped manage the gathering and communications process for our increasingly long list of parade participants. This makes the parade sign-up process so much easier.” 

“It's really been great to see the combining of historical parade experience collaboratively joining together with new parade committee volunteers that bring new ideas and procedures to create a marvelous community parade experience,” said Haradon. “We look forward to thousands of our fellow friends, neighbors and citizens joining together to celebrate our veterans who gave their lives for the freedom we all enjoy in our country today.”

The Kennett Memorial Day Parade will take place on May 30, starting at 10 a.m. Additional details of the upcoming Kennett Memorial Day parade can be found at the website www.KennettMemorialDayParade.com.