GRAFTON, W.Va. — One of the country’s longest continuously-running Memorial Day parades will not be happening this year.
The Grafton Memorial Day Parade Committee announced Wednesday the 153rd parade and memorial service has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We went over any and all options we could,” committee chairperson Doug Robinson said. “We finally did, begrudgingly, make the decision to go ahead and cancel the parade.”
Grafton’s Memorial Day events date back to 1868.
“For many, it’s going to be a heart breaker,” Robinson said. “We’re trying to find some way that we can do a contingency memorial or something on the 25th to commemorate our fallen.”
Robinson, who has participated in the parade for more than four decades, said it will be an unusual Memorial Day.
“We are looking at doing some kind of memorial,” he said. “Even if it’s something as simple as someone placing a wreath.”
The memorial would not be open to the public if it happens.