APPLETON (NBC 26) -- The Appleton Parade Committee announced that in order to protect the health and safety of participants, spectators, and visitors, several 2020 celebratory parades will not take place as planned.
The Committee says they are making changes to the Appleton Memorial Day Parade, Memorial Day Ceremony, and Flag Day Parade.
In lieu of the traditional ceremony, the Committee is honoring those who died for our rights and freedoms through an online streaming event. They say they'll have an online Moment of Remembrance on May 25 starting at 10 a.m.
According to Committee members, the event will feature patriotic music, speeches and poems performed by Appleton high school students, and remarks from Appleton Mayor Jake Woodford.
The Committee understands this announcement may sadden and disappoint many. However, they say the difficult decision was made after working closely with the Public Health Officer in Appleton as well as other officials and departments charged with protecting the public safety.
"The Appleton Parade Committee is grateful for the pride, passion, and patriotism our spectators bring to our community events," writes the event coordinators. "You make our parades great! We deeply appreciate all of the time and effort and creativity participants put into their parade floats, performances, and presentation. We see this as a temporary break, one from which Appleton’s parades will bounce back stronger and better than ever."
You can follow the Appleton Memorial Day Parade on Facebook for news and other updates on this year's online Moment of Remembrance as well as plans they are making for an alternative Flag Day event.
