BG Memorial Day Parade route set; program to follow in Oak Grove Cemetery

Scouts salute during Memorial Day program in 2022.

In conjunction with the Memorial Day Parade, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 29, several Bowling Green streets will be temporarily closed while the parade is in motion.

Street closures will be “rolling,” meaning that roads will be closed shortly before the parade goes by and will re-open once the parade is past. The following parade route will be taken:

  • Parade starts at Washington Street;
  • Parade will travel on Main Street from Washington to Court Street;
  • At Court Street, the parade will turn east and proceed to Thurstin Avenue;
  • Parade will turn north on Thurstin and proceed to Ridge Street for pedestrians and Merry Avenue for vehicles;
  • Via Ridge and Merry, the parade will end at Oak Grove Cemetery.

The parade will also stop at the Wood County Courthouse for the laying of a wreath.

Immediately following the parade, the Bowling Green Memorial Day Planning Committee will host a ceremony in Oak Grove Cemetery to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country. 

The master of ceremony will be Colonel (USA Ret) Greg Robinette.  The ceremony will include: LTC (USA Ret) Andrea Adams, who will deliver the keynote address; Father Jeff Walker will provide the invocation; Mayor Mike Aspacher will recite Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address; Logan’s Orders will be presented by Joseph Fawcett, BG Director of Public Services and Global War on Terrorism veteran; and a Call to Remember will be issued by Herbert Dettmer, BG American Legion Post 45. Madelyn Desmond, VFW Voice of Democracy Award Winner, will present “Why Is the Veteran Important.” Musical performances will be provided by the Bowling Green High School Band and Evvie Van Vorhis.

Anyone going directly to the cemetery should use Merry Street for access. Note that only pedestrians will be allowed access to the Ridge entrance.

In case of rain, services will be held at the Veterans Memorial Building, Bowling Green City Park on Monday, May 29, at 10:30 a.m.