The Spirit of Grafton commemorates Memorial Day observance with festival

GRAFTON, W.Va. – The City of Grafton observes Memorial Day weekend with the Spirit of Grafton Festival each year, and 2024 marks the 157th year of continued observance.

Festivities kicked off with a pool party at the Grafton City Pool. In 1867, Grafton held a “Flower Strewing Day,” later called Memorial Day , to honor those who served our country during the Civil War. The City of Grafton holds the record for the country’s longest ongoing Memorial Day observance.

“It is a great tradition that Grafton is able to do, and I think everyone within the community of Grafton does appreciate everything that they do for them and all the events that we have going on, everything downtown, the Memorial Day parade and the opening of the pool,” said Madelyn Countryman, a lifeguard at the pool.

On Monday, the city will hold its annual Memorial Day Parade at 10 a.m., and an observance will be held at noon at the Grafton National Cemetery.

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