The sounds of patriotic music filled Five Corners and rain clouds loomed overhead as family and friends turned to look up the street at the 35th annual Essex Memorial Day Parade.
The parade marched down Lincoln Street for the first time in two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rain held out for the majority of the parade but at 11:00 a.m. drops started to fall. When the parade was officially over rain was pouring down and onlookers ran back to their cars.
The theme of this year's parade was “all gave some and some gave all.”
This phrase is attributed to the Korean War veteran and purple heart recipient Howard William Osterkamp from Dent, Ohio, according to a March 16, 2022 article by the Special Ops Magazine. Osterkamp served in the Army from 1951 to 1953.
A young girl holds an umbrella over her mother's head at the Essex Memorial Day Parade May 28 as they wait for the parade to begin.
Children hold ziplock bags as they wait for the parade to begin, preparing for the candy that will be thrown at the crowd May 28.
The first ever woman Grand Marshal in the Essex Memorial Day Parade. From 1973 to 1984 Beth was in the Navy as a Petty Officer First Class and was the first woman to serve as a steward.
A marine Corps league member salutes the crowd May 28.
A member of the Essex Junction High School marching band plays the trumpet May 28.
Gov. Phil Scott rides his Harley in the Essex Memorial Day Parade along with the combat veterans May 28.
A young boy walks with the Boy Scouts of America May 28.
A member of the Artist's Guild waves at the crowd May 28.
Children juggle at the Essex Memorial Day Parade May 28.
Former Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman hands out carrots to the Essex Memorial Day Parade crowd May 28.
Parade onlookers set up their umbrellas when rain begins to fall May 28.
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