The 158th Annual Memorial Day Parade in Alton Illinois
Date: May 26, 2025 | Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
The 158th Annual Memorial Day Parade in Alton Illinois. The parade begins at Alton Middle School (2200 College Ave., Alton, IL 62002), goes around the block at Washington Plaza, continues north to Locust, ending at the Alton City Cemetery by noon. See website for more info.
A bit of history: "The Memorial Day Parade in Alton, Illinois is the Nation's oldest, consecutively running Memorial Day parade. The parade was the first of its kind just three years after the end of the Civil War with the intent to help our Country heal from war. The parade was held initially in Honor of those who fought in the Civil War, both Confederate and Union Soldiers. The parade has run every year, without fail, since that first event in 1868, and it has now become a tradition of Alton to Honor all of our Military brothers and sisters who have fallen in war."
Historic Alton is located in Illinois along the Mississippi River. Founded in 1837, it is rich in history with Civil War prison ruins, Underground Railroad connections and tunnels, historic homes, many said to be haunted, as well as being the hometown of the Robert Wadlow, the 8 feet, 11 inches Alton Giant. Many events are held in the city through out the year.
Please check the website listed on each event to get the most up-to-date information.
