The Memorial Day parade will likely be the big and brassy yet lovably local event it usually is, filled not only with bands and fire trucks but also with Scouts and sports teams, school groups and civic organizations.
It’s just that again, as usual, people are slow getting back to parade organizers.
“I sent out 74 invitations to past participants, and have received confirmation from 32,” Bob Tulipani of the American Legion’s parade committee said Monday.
“They’re supposed to be in by this weekend,” he said.
“I’m going to have to start phone calls again.”
Among the groups he hadn’t heard back from Monday were some of the Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops that usually march.
The female Scout groups and sports leagues seem to do better.
“I have heard from Girl Scouts, the Boys & Girls Club, and girls softball,” Mr. Tulipani said.
A number of adult civic organizations also haven’t gotten back to the committee — including one of the two town veterans groups that not only march but join the American Legion in the patriotic concluding ceremonies in Ballard Park, after the parade.
“I’ve heard from the VFW,” Mr. Tulipani said of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. “I’m waiting for the Marine Corps League.”
All the groups who usually march should have gotten invitations in the mail, Mr. Tulipani said, and he asked that they mail the responses back.
The mailing address is American Legion Parade Committee, P.O. Box 145, Ridgefield 06877.