Making a plan to attend the largest Memorial Day Parade in Chester County on Monday, May 27? We’ve got you covered with four insider tips to experience the parade like a pro.
- Park for free with a shuttle back to your car!
- Find a spot near one of three announcers (English & Spanish).
- Enjoy the full schedule of events.
- Know what’s open in Kennett Square.
Check out the tip details, route map, and schedule below.
Tip #1 Park for free with a shuttle back to your car!
We know the first thing on your mind is parking. The good news is that there are a lot of options if you plan ahead.
Free Parking at Unionville High School with Shuttle to East State Street
Spilling the beans on the best kept secret here: Unionville High School (740 Unionville Rd) is easy to get to on parade day, and there is tons of parking with shuttle buses running on a continuous loop between UHS and Kennett Library (S. Willow St and E. State St). The last shuttle back to parking leaves Kennett Library at 12:15 pm.
Free Parking at the Garage on Linden Street
Parking will be free at the Borough’s municipal garage on E. Linden Street, but plan to arrive early to avoid street closures beginning at 9 am.
Free Oxford–Kennett Shuttle
NEW! Memorial Day Parade sponsor Krapf School Bus will run an Oxford–Kennett Shuttle for those who want to skip parking all together! (Krapf School Bus is hiring school bus drivers. More information at krapfbus.com)
- Oxford Library Company, 48 S 2nd St, Oxford
Departs 8:00 & 8:30 am
- Avon Grove Library, 117 Rosehill Ave, West Grove
Departs 8:15 & 8:45
- Avondale Apartments, 200 1st St, Avondale
Departs 8:30 & 9 am
- St. Rocco Church, 313 Sunny Dell Rd, Avondale
Departs 8:45 & 9:15 am
- Mighty Writers, 121 Willow St, Toughkenamon
Departs 9:00 & 9:30 am
- Dropoff & Return Pickup at Center Street & Los Rosas
Return shuttle departs 11:30 am & 12:00 pm
Limited Street Parking
Parking meters are NOT enforced on Federal Holidays.
Parking restrictions will be along the entire Parade Route on Monday 5/27/2024 from 8 am–12 pm. No parking is allowed during this time until the roadways have been reopened at the completion of the parade. Any vehicles left on the Parade Route will be ticketed and towed.
- South Union Street – from South Street to Cypress
- East Cypress Street – from South Union Street to Broad Street
- South Broad Street – from East Cypress Street to East State Street
- East State Street – from Broad Street to Union Street
- North Union Street – from East State Street to Union Hill Cemetery Road
Closures around the Parade Route side streets will begin to take place at 9 AM. The Parade Route will be shut down to all traffic at 9:30 AM. For parking street closure updates, follow the Kennett Square Police Department.
Tip #2 Find a spot near one of three announcers.
Parade announcers will shout out each group and float that passes by, and this year we will have three announcers along the route, including one Spanish-speaking announcer! If you’d like to hear about the parade participants, we recommend coming early to secure a spot near one of these spots:
- 100 Block of E. State Street (English)
- Union Street and Magnolia St (English)
- 500 Block of S Union St (Spanish)
Spectators line State Street for the Kennett Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Dylan Francis.
If you are arriving early, please have someone with your group stay with your belongings and be mindful of other families and individuals. There will be thousands of people enjoying the parade all along the route!
Make room for children to watch, but please keep to the sides during the parade. Large vehicles and floats will be moving slowly, but also have reduced visibility. Please keep an eye on your little ones and stay out of the road.
Route Map
Tip #3 Enjoy the full schedule of events.
Memorial Day honors America’s military men and women who lost their lives in service to their country, and there are many ways to pay tribute to their service. Be sure to thank our veterans for their service too. This year’s Grand Marshals are Mark “Pete” Peterson and Lester “Les” Brown. Check out the full schedule and consider joining us for a tribute ceremony!
- Tribute Ceremony, 8:30 am
VFW Post 5467, 704 W Baltimore Pike - Tribute Ceremony at WWI Monument, 9:15 am
Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center, 409 Center St - Parade Starts, 10:00 am
South Street and Union Street - American Legion Lunch for Veterans & their families, 11 am
208 E State Street - Memorial Ceremony, 12 pm or conclusion of the parade
Union Hill Cemetery, 424 N Union St - VFW Lunch for Veterans & their families, 1 pm
704 W Baltimore Pike
Are you participating in the parade? Lineup instructions will go out by email and will be posted at kennettmemorialdayparade.com the week before the parade. Please plan to arrive for the lineup by 8:30 am at your designated location. Lineup locations are A. Kennett High School (enter at South Union and Scarlett Ave) B. Borough Hall (enter at 600 S. Broad) and C. Birch Street (enter from Walnut Street and Birch).
Are you looking for volunteer opportunities? Sign up to help with the parade!
Kennett High School Color Guard performing in the Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Dylan Francis.
Tip #4 Know what’s open in Kennett Square
There’s a lot to do in Kennett Square! On Memorial Day Monday, some businesses will be closed so their staff can enjoy the parade too, but many will be open. We recommend calling ahead to confirm when you make your plans, but here are some safe bets.
Looking for Coffee? Try Mary Pats Provisions, Philter Coffee, or Café Emís! Hank’s Place is open, but plan ahead as access and parking will be impacted by the parade lineup.
Looking for Lunch? Try the Market at Liberty Place or Victory Brewing (with the debut of a new IPA and $5 drafts all day!) Sweet Amelia’s plans to take reservations for lunch only.
Looking for family fun? Mrs. Robinson’s Sweets & Treats is open with limited hours. It’s a great day to visit Longwood Gardens, but a timed ticket or member reservation is needed. Make your ticket reservation today, because it is likely to sell out!
