Firefighter Named Grand Marshal of Morris Plains Parade

Morris Plains has honored firefighter Don Geary, who worked tirelessly during superstorm Sandy, by appointing him the grand marshal of this weekend's Memorial Day Parade in addition to awarding him a Community Service Award.

The 27th Annual Morris Plains Memorial Day Parade starts at 9 a.m. Saturday with a service at Robert’s Garden — corner of Glenbrook Road and Mountain Way. The parade will kick off at 9:30 a.m.

The parade route travels south on Mountain Way, east on Rosedale Avenue, then north along Speedwell Avenue, past the reviewing stand at the corner of Franklin Place, opposite the railroad station, and continues north up Littleton Road to Route 53 north where it ends at the VFW Post 3401. There will be food, drinks and entertainment for all to enjoy at the VFW after the parade.

A highlight of the parade will be the flyover, weather-permitting, at about 10:40 a.m. by members of Chapter 52 of the International Acrobatic Club located primarily in Northern New Jersey and surrounding areas flying mostly Pitts Specials. They will make several passes using smoke to mark the flight path.

As the largest Memorial Day parade in the county, it consists of about 100 units representing local and county organizations with 15 bands including the Hawthorne Caballeros Alumni.  The full list is attached to this Patch article

“This year, we are proud to welcome the Orange High School Marching Tornadoes Band,” said Steve Welsh, parade chairman. “This is the 27th year for the parade, and I have been involved since the beginning.”

The traditional memorial service, conducted by members of the Morris Plains VFW Post 3401 and Denville American Legion Post 390 will be followed by comments from 26th District Assemblyman Jay Webber of Morris Plains.

Morris Plains police are closing Route 202 (Speedwell Avenue & Littleton Road) between East Hanover Avenue and Malapardis Road. Route 53 will also be closed.

Road closures will last until the end of the parade and until pedestrian traffic on the aforementioned roads has thinned out to allow for cars to safely pass. Police said that motorists should expect the road closures to take place between approximately 9 a.m. and noon

Here's a look at Patch's parade coverage from previous years:

• Fighter Planes Will 'Buzz' Morris Plains Memorial Day Parade—2011
• Morris Plains Celebrates 25th Memorial Day Parade
• Families Gathered for Morris Plains Memorial Day Ceremony
• Memorial Day Parade is May 26—2012
• Thousands Expected for Morris Plains Parade
• Thousands Celebrate Memorial Day in Morris Plains