You can tell something is happening in Mount Joy over Memorial Day weekend when people start putting chairs out on the curb. "People put their chairs out the night before the Memorial Day parade," said Denny Brandt, who is leading a group of volunteers who are organizing the parade. "People love to come out for the parade." Each year, the parade draws between 3,000 and 5,000 people, Brandt said.

This year's parade will be held on Saturday, May 27, beginning at 2 p.m. The route will travel from Angle Street down Main Street to Barbara Street. The theme of this year's parade is "In memory of many, in honor of all." The grand marshal will be George Leyh. He is a retired high school history teacher and member of the U.S. Army who served in Vietnam and Desert Storm, among other conflicts.

Denny noted that the Mount Joy Memorial Day parade is a big undertaking. "To my knowledge, it's the biggest Memorial Day parade in the county," he said. "We have 70 to 80 participants and nine or 10 bands. We will have Cylo, the Barnstormers' mascot. We have local businesses, organizations and groups who are participating." Participating bands include Big Boy Brass, the Kracker Beez and the Donegal Alumni Band. The major sponsor of the parade is Houseal Plumbing. Banner sponsors are SM Johns & Son Construction, Sheetz Funeral Home, Hershey Heating & Air Conditioning, Whitmoyer, Denny Brandt - Berkshire Hathaway, Keystone Lawn Company and Hearing and Ear Care Center. The parade is supported locally by the Rotary Club of Mount Joy and the Mount Joy Area Chamber of Commerce. Additional members of the parade committee are Chris Brandt, John Coleman, Josh Deering and Brenda Kready.

The Mount Joy Memorial Day parade dates back to the 1880s, when the first parade included a band, Civil War soldiers and boys and girls from a local orphan school.

Denny noted that programs will be available for the parade, and donations will be accepted to help fund future parades. He encourages everyone to come out for the parade, adding, "It's a fun family time for the community."

In the case of inclement weather, the parade will be canceled. A decision will be made by 10 a.m. on the day of the parade. For more information, follow "Mount Joy Memorial Day Parade" on Facebook.