MEMORIAL DAY 5/31: Parade, Music, Fun Run, Food, Pony Rides (And Did We Mention FOOD?)
The City of Falls Church will host its 29th Annual Memorial Day Parade and Festival on Monday, May 31. The event will be held rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Falls Church City Hall grounds, located at 300 Park Avenue.
Those who have served in the armed forces will be honored at a Veterans Ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial in front of the Falls Church City Community Center, 223 Little Falls St.
The day also features a Don Beyer 3K Fun Run at 9 a.m.
The Memorial Day Parade steps off at 2 p.m. under the direction of this year’s Grand Marshal, Edna Frady. A resident since 1947, Ms. Frady saw the town of Falls Church become a City. Ms. Frady has been an active member of the Falls Church community, having participated in the Woman’s Club of Falls Church, Village Preservation and Improvement Society, Citizens for a Better City, and the Falls Church Democratic Committee. She is the daughter of the late Donald S. Frady, who was the City’s longtime Director of Public Works.
Throughout the day, festival-goers will enjoy amusement rides, pony rides, arts and crafts, food, civic and business booths, public safety tips, stage entertainment, and more.
Musical entertainment will be provided by the Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition, Big Tow, the City of Falls Church Concert Band, and Judo Chop.
The Memorial Day Parade and Festival is sponsored by the City of Falls Church Recreation & Parks Division. For more information, call 703-248-5178 (TTY 711).
By Special to the Falls Church Times
May 30, 2010
Sounding off on one of my pet peeves: Memorial Day is a day of remembering/honoring the fallen in combat. We veterans get our own day, Veteran’s Day. In blurring the distinction between the two holidays, neither group gets the full recognition they deserve.
I agree with Peggy and thank her for her service. In addition, I have never understood how five or more groups of Latin American “dancers” all performing what appears to be the same dance/march to incredibly loud music honors our fallen heroes. A little more focus on our military would be a welcome change.
I agree with the last two postings. As a veteran, I consider Memorial Day the time set aside to remember those serving along side us who were killed in action. I felt the Falls Church Memorial Day parade did little to remember or honor our fallen service members. I believe the Bolivian Dance groups were a complete distraction to the meaning of the day. They completely overpowered groups such as the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and other organizations with patriotic goals. Additionally, I would say that most of these Bolivian Dance groups were in fact disrespectful, in that most only flew Bolivian Flags without accompanying US Flags. (In fairness one group did have both flags) This is an event supposedly honoring US military killed in service not a Bolivian cultural event.
I would argue that local parades are patriotic activities, and supporting them is a way to give back to those who have served. Certainly there could have been more entries in the parade that honored our country’s fallen , but the parade also celebrates the freedoms we cherish (freedoms that four of my family members gave their lives to defend.) I loved watching my Boy Scout walk in the American Legion Color Guard just as much I loved the Bolivian dancers (especially the little ones) sharing their culture with us. If anything were a distraction, my votes would be for the Hair Cuttery walkers and the ostentatious Mercedes that rolled past me.
I hope that all of you got to attend the Memorial Day service at the Community Center. As always, this was a very respectful service to honor those who gave their lives so that we can all enjoy our freedom and the beautiful fun-filled day as a community should with prayers, friends and family. Our Memorial Day is one of the very best days of the year in the City Of Falls Church with families coming together, young people returning from college, the military or even with their newly formed families—what a joy! This day is so important to them—they have to be here! I love the parade and yes, I think we should somehow limit the number of dance troops, but this is a way that they can share their culture, join in the celebration and I love to watch them. And let’s all remember that many young people from Bolivia, and other South American and Central American have also given their lives in the United States Military. There’s plenty for all of us to be thankful for and to celebrate.
Thanks to everyone who helped organize everything this past weekend — another great one.
Does anyone know anything about the deal the City has with the company that operates the rides (e.g., inflatable slides, pony rides, etc.) for events like this? Do any of the proceeds go to the City, or does that company keep all the revenue generated from the rides? Does the City ever consider other vendors (I’ve only been around for a few years, but it seems to be the same group each time)?