Maytown may be small, but patriotism will loom large when the community hosts events on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25.

The festivities will begin with the annual Antique, Crafts and Collectibles Show, starting at 8 a.m. The show, sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 809, will be set up on East High Street and around the Maytown square, located at the intersection of High Street and Maytown Road.

At 1 p.m., children and families are invited to participate in decorating the graves of local veterans with flowers provided by Floral Designs of Mount Joy. Anyone who wants to help should meet at the Maytown Reformed United Church of Christ, 11 E. Elizabeth St. After decorating the graves in the Reformed Church cemetery, the group will walk to the Lutheran and Union cemeteries at St. John's Lutheran Church, 11 N. Queen St., to decorate graves of veterans there.

"We have three cemeteries in town and lay approximately 300 roses donated by Floral Designs on veterans' graves," said Janie Garber, president of the Maytown Memorial Day committee. "The Bainbridge Band plays several songs at each cemetery." She added that participants are given brief instructions to lay the flowers and say the name of the veteran out loud in recognition of their service.

At 4 p.m., a Memorial Day parade will kick off at Legion Park, 114 N. King St. The parade will travel down West High Street to Eleanor Drive, continue to Vista Drive to Elizabeth Street, turn onto South River Street and travel through the square before heading back to Legion Park.

"This year's theme is '250 Years Honor the Fallen,'" Garber said. "The parade committee has encouraged all participants to recognize their entries with the nation's 250 celebration."

The grand marshal's car will lead the parade and will only have a driver.

"This year our grand marshal will be Sara Gutshall, who we are posthumously honoring for all she did for the Maytown community and the veterans she cared for," Garber said.

A lifelong resident of Maytown and longtime member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Gutshall was instrumental in numerous beautification projects in the Maytown square and took an active role in supporting local veterans. She passed away in August of last year at the age of 86.

Describing the parade, Garber said, "We will have six bands, 10 floats, a veterans' float, marching units, dignitaries, antique cars, Corvettes, local businesses and fire companies. The parade will be led by a Susquehanna Police cruiser and color guard from the Elizabethtown Area High School Navy National Defense Cadet Corps."

The Maytown Memorial Day committee currently includes nine members.

"We meet five times a year and would like to invite anyone to join us if you are interested," Garber said.

She encourages everyone to come out and spend Memorial Day in Maytown, adding, "The parade is to honor those who lost their lives for our freedom but also recognizes the ones who have served so we can live freely in America."