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Sunny Skies Draw Crowds to Memorial Day Parade

May 27, 2025

Givens-Belet flag and man marching — The Blairstown Memorial parade, organized by the Givens-Belet Post No. 258 American Legion, was favored with sunny skies and cool temperatures. Photo by Joe Phalon.

If you could order up a perfect day for a parade, this past Sunday would certainly be in the Top 10.

With mostly sunny skies and temperatures that barely crawled into the 70s, it was perfect marching weather for the Memorial Day parade in Blairstown May 25.

boy catching smarties candy with large inflatable — Plenty of candy was tossed to eager paradegoers. Photo by Joe Phalon.

The parade, hosted by the Givens-Belet American Legion Post 258, kicked off at 1 p.m. following a solemn ceremony at the Cedar Ridge Cemetery at noon. This year, the parade and ceremony commemorated the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

young athletes tossing candy from bags — North Warren Girls Little League made the march look easy. Photo by Joe Phalon.

Towns throughout North Warren participate in the parade, including Frelinghuysen, Hardwick, Hope, Knowlton and White townships. North Warren High School, which serves most of the region, was represented by its marching band, wrestlers and other school organizations.

loads of children in parade — Boys Little League of North Warren careened through the parade. Photo by Joe Phalon.

Chris Jacksic, the mayor of Hardwick, emphasized participation of all the municipalities.

“We support the Blairstown parade,” Jacksic said. “So we always turn out for the parade and the service at the cemetery.”

tractors riding in parade — The parade of tractors is a parade unto itself. Photo by Joe Phalon.

light colored dog with vest on — Dogs are always welcome at the Blairstown Memorial Day Parade, especially support dogs. Photo by Joe Phalon.

Jacksic shared his own feelings about Memorial Day.

“It’s always about the military that’s given the ultimate sacrifice, that’s given us the ability to be able to fly a flag and to be able to celebrate it like this,” Jacksic said. “And I will be here every year to celebrate those that have given the ultimate sacrifice.”

Blairstown Township Committee Member Karen Lance echoed those thoughts.

“It’s a time for all of our different service units to gather and honor those who have gone before us,” Lance said. “And it’s a wonderful celebration here. We really appreciate everything that Givens-Belet has been done for our community and what they do to help us remember and celebrate in a positive way. And it’s a nice opportunity for our community to get together and give honor.”

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer

Contributing Writer

Joe brings decades of journalism experience to the Ridge View Echo, covering everything from local school boards to the U.S. Supreme Court. A former National Law Journal editor and Columbia Law School press officer, he now enjoys telling community stories in Blairstown, where he lives with his wife, Rose, and their two dachshunds.