Newton Memorial Day Parade, Community Cookout Sunday

Updated 5/18, 9:30 a.m.

The streets of Newton will be filled with patriotic pride this weekend as the annual Memorial Day parade makes its way through Newtonville and Nonantum on Sunday, May 20. 

The parade route will start at , at the corner of Adams Street and Washington Street. Those marching in the parade will begin gathering around 1 p.m. and step-off is at 2 p.m.

Once the parade kicks off, it will march down Washington Street into Newtonville, turn right onto Walnut Street and then another right onto Watertown Street. The parade will end at Coletti-Magni Park at the corner of Bridge Street and Watertown Street.

According to Veterans Service Officer John MacGillivray, this year's parade grand marshal is local veteran Don McAdams, who is a member of the American Legion Post 440 in Newton and someone who has done a lot in the veteran community. 

Following the parade, there will be a community cookout held at Pellegrini Park on Hawthorn Street. This is the second year the city has held a community cookout after the parade, and "it's getting bigger and better every year," MacGillivray said.

The afternoon cookout, which is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., will include food, festivities and several live bands.

Memorial Day observances

In preparation for the Memorial Day parade and ceremonies, volunteers have spent this week decorating Newton's 3,000 veteran graves. The work will culminate next Sunday, May 27, with the city's annual observances and wreath ceremonies. 

However, due to this week's rain, many of the flags still have not been placed on the graves. MacGillivray said he hopes more volunteers will come out in the next week to finish the flags before the wreath laying ceremonies on May 27.

The group of veterans laying wreaths will gather at the in Nonantum around 9 a.m. Sun., May 27 and work its way around the city to various memorials and parks. The ceremonies will finish with observances at at noon.