Delaware Memorial Day parades face challenges, still connect neighbors

Balloons drift overhead. Bands march and play. Spectators line the streets, watching as the parade rolls by.

For generations, Memorial Day parades have been a fixture in Delaware, with Wilmington’s — the state’s oldest — stretching back more than 150 years.

But a recent video shared on Reddit of Newark’s May 17 parade, showing sparse crowds and few participants, has sparked new questions about turnout. City officials say just 22 groups took part this year, down from 29 a year ago.

“This is just sad,” commented a user under the post.

With parades taking place across Delaware this weekend, some are asking whether these longtime events can keep their footing — and stay relevant in a digital age — at one of the year’s biggest moments for turnout.

Connecting with community

Parades take many forms, from the solemn tone of Memorial Day to the playful Middletown Hummers’ Parade. But at their core, they all share the same purpose: bringing communities together around a common cause.

“It’s so important to permit outreach, and strengthen partnerships within the community,” said Fred Cooke, an organizer for Middletown’s Memorial Day parade. “That’s what allows these things to grow.”

Cooke pointed to Middletown’s Memorial Day parade as a model, where the town brings together local businesses, fraternities and sororities, church groups and others to build a larger community event.

“By tapping into the resources around us, we’ve created a real event,” Cooke said.

Multiple parade organizers attributed the success of these events to their ability to make connections, and stand by them.

“Putting things together and developing these relationships certainly helps,” said Marvin Pedigo, an organizer for Smyrna’s parade slate.

Some lacking turnouts can’t be solved

Those partnerships don’t always come easily. Jayme Gravell, Newark’s chief of community engagement, said the University of Delaware’s student move-out often limits collaboration — and likely contributed to lower turnout this year.

“People are moving out, people are leaving town,” she said. “It’s just hard to draw interest or support when people aren’t here.”

The uncontrollable factor of conflicting events creates a dilemma for parades like the one in Newark. As Cooke pointed out, it’s one that smaller areas of Delaware don’t have to face, giving them an advantage.

The purpose behind a parade can shape its audience. While many are built around celebration, Memorial Day carries a more solemn tone, honoring those who died in military service. For that reason, Pedigo said the Smyrna-Clayton parade focuses less on turnout and more on showing respect for those lost.

“We really only partner with smaller civic organizations, and it’s a smaller turnout,” he said. “The emphasis should be placed on honoring those who fought for this country.”

Both communities pointed to other local parades as proof crowds are still there. Newark’s Halloween parade draws about 50 groups each year, compared to 22 for Memorial Day, while Smyrna’s Christmas parade typically brings in 90 to 100 groups.

“We haven’t seen any kind of dramatic parade fall-off,” Pedigo said. “Just the occurrence of certain circumstances.”

Where will Delaware Memorial Day parades take place?

Three parades will take place across the state this coming week, allowing locals to honor fallen veterans. They are listed below:

• Middletown Memorial Day Parade- Begins at Redding Middle School, 201 New St., Middletown, at 10:30 a.m. May 25.
• Smyrna-Clayton Memorial Day Parade- Parade begins at Market Street Plaza and West Commerce Street, Smyrna, at 10 a.m. May 25. 
• Wilmington Memorial Day Parade– Begins at Delaware and Woodlawn avenues, Wilmington at 6 p.m. May 30.

Adam Denn is an intern reporter for Delaware Online/The News Journal. You can reach him at ADenn@delawareonline.com