Dexter Village Council Approves Permit Request For 68th Annual Memorial Day Parade

The Village of Dexter's annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony received the green light from the village council at its meeting on Monday.

The parade, set for May 28, is being coordinated by with the assistance of village staff.

"We're excited to see the members of the American Legion and the general community come together to celebrate the sacrifices of our men and women in the military," trustee Donna Fisher said.

In addition to the parade, which will take place at 10 a.m. down Main Street, a special service officiated by the Rev. Larry VanSlambrook of , will be held for military families.

Fisher said the Memorial Day planning committee has decided to refocus the scope of this year's parade and limit the number of politicians, organizations, and civic groups participating.

"One of the biggest complaints we received from veterans over the years is that Memorial Day was becoming too much like another Dexter Daze festival," Fisher said. "We want to refocus the parade as a way to show our support to our veterans."

To that end, village staff will be reviewing all parade applicants in order to determine if they fit with this year's theme, "A Time to Honor." Permitted entries include veterans organizations and members of the military, the Dexter Area Fire Department and Scio Township Fire Department, local community groups conveying a sense of patriotism, Dexter Community Schools organizations, and government elected officials.

All forms of advertising for services or merchandise, including the distribution of business or campaign fliers, is prohibited.

Registration forms must be submitted in order to participate in the parade. Forms are available on the village's website. The deadline is 3 p.m. May 24.

Fisher said the parade committee is also considering a Fourth of July celebration or an additional event at Dexter Daze to allow those who may feel excluded from the Memorial Day parade to have an opportunity to participate in an event on Main Street.

"We want to do something to accommodate those groups who might feel displaced with our new parade format, but I think it's important to bring patriotism back to our community," Fisher said.

For more information about the parade, visit www.villageofdexter.org.