City of New Bedford Announces Memorial Day Weekend Events

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — The City of New Bedford announced its slate of events for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, including a number of memorial events and the traditional parade.

“The weather is going to be good, we want people to get out to all the events that we have over the weekend,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said in his weekly appearance on WBSM Wednesday.

“We want to encourage people to come on out, just take a moment, even if you have a busy day in front of you doing whatever, just come out and pay your respects,” he said. “It means a lot to those who have served. I would encourage everybody to come out, especially parents with children, because it’s a great example to set for them.”

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The Memorial Day weekend activities are:

Saturday, May 27

On Saturday at 9 a.m., the Greater New Bedford Civil War Round Table will conduct a memorial exercise at the Union Soldier's Burial Site at Rural Cemetery, located at 149 Dartmouth Street. These services typically include historical reenactments, music and a gun salute, the city said in a release.

Sunday, May 28

On Sunday at 10 a.m. at Pine Grove Cemetery, located at 1100 Ashley Boulevard, the American Legion New Bedford Post 1 will conduct a Memorial Day exercise at the veterans’ plot.

At 12 p.m., Post 1 will conduct a Memorial Day exercise at the Vietnam Veterans’ Honor Roll at New Bedford City Hall, located at 133 William Street. It will take place on the William Street side of the building.

Monday, May 29

On Memorial Day itself, Post 1 will conduct a Memorial Day exercise at 8:15 a.m. at the Veterans’ plot in Rural Cemetery.

At 9 a.m., the Cape Verdean Veterans Memorial Foundation will hold a Memorial Day Service at the Veterans’ Plot in St. John’s Cemetery, located at 664 Allen Street.

At 10 a.m., the New Bedford Port Society’s Annual Memorial Day Fishermen's Service will take place on Pier 3 on the New Bedford waterfront.

“That is a uniquely New Bedford event, that’s always well attended,” Mitchell said. “It’s a big part of what New Bedford is.”

The annual New Bedford Memorial Day parade will form at the intersection of Hathaway Boulevard and Parker Street beginning at around 10:30 a.m., and the parade will step off at 11 a.m.

The parade will march east on Parker Street to County Street, then turn left and head north on County Street. The parade will then turn right to head east on Pope Street, where it will take its final right turn into Clasky Common Park.

There will be a Memorial Day service held at the reviewing stand at the end of the parade.

“This years’ service will include the reading of the Gettysburg Address, Logan’s Orders and roll call of New Bedford’s veterans who have passed away,” the city said in a release. “We invite family and friends of veterans who have passed away to bring a flower to the service and place it at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in remembrance.”