Memorial Day has been an American tradition since 1868 when a Civil War general ordered that the day be a day to decorate the graves of those that died.  It certainly is a day of  remembrance, and many communities in the area will be doing just that on the streets and on town greens.

Here's when and where certain parades in our area will be held.

Bangor - The parade starts at 10:30AM at the corner of Exchange and State Streets in Bangor.  It will make it's way onto Hammond and then onto Main Street, where it will eventually end at Davenport Park where the Battleship Maine Memorial stands.  There will be a ceremony there following the parade.

Dover-Foxcroft - The parade starts at 10AM on Summer Street and will eventually make its way to Monument Square with a ceremony.  There will be another short ceremony at the bridge with a wreath thrown into the river.

Ellsworth - The parade begins at 10AM at Knowlton Park, and will make its way down State Street, taking a left onto School Street and then to Main Street, where it will stop at the bottom of the hill for the wreath laying ceremony on the Union River Bridge.  Another ceremony will take place on the lawn of City Hall.

Franklin - The parade begins at 9AM at the Franklin Veterans Club on Route 182, the Blackwoods Road.  It will then makes its way to Memorial Park in the center of town for a ceremony.

Orono - The parade begins at 10AM at Orono High School, and will make its way to Stillwater Bridge for a ceremony.  It will then continue to the American Legion Hall which is located on Park Street.

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