Communities across Hillsdale County will hold parades, ceremonies, and community meals to honor fallen service members over Memorial Day Weekend.
Sunday
Ransom Township Memorial Day Program begins at 2:00 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery (located at Burt Road and Tripp Road). The ceremony features introductory remarks by George Clark, a prayer and message from Pastor Keith Elting of Lake View United Brethren Church, and a VFW speech and 21-gun salute by the Waldron VFW. Musical performances of the National Anthem, “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and “God Bless America” will be provided by the Common Bond Group, concluding with “Taps” performed by Blaise Mayer of Hillsdale High School.
Monday
Jonesville American Legion Breakfast & Parade: The Jonesville American Legion will sponsor a pancake and sausage breakfast from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Jonesville Presbyterian Church. Veterans eat free; tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12. Parade lineup begins at 8:00 a.m. on West Street, with the parade kicking off at 9:00 a.m., heading to Sunset View Cemetery. A memorial program will follow immediately at the cemetery’s Veterans Memorial, featuring guest speaker David Pope, President of Powers Clothing.
Litchfield Memorial Day Celebration: Events begin at 7:00 a.m. with a breakfast hosted at the Litchfield Fire Department. Parade line-up commences at 9:30 a.m. at Litchfield High School, with the procession starting at 10:00 a.m.. Veterans who need a ride to participate in the parade can coordinate transit via the dedicated military line.
Waldron Memorial Service & Community Breakfast: Memorial services will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Waldron Cemetery. Following the service, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., the Country Get-A-Longs 4-H Club and local volunteers will host a free community pancake breakfast at the Waldron Area School Cafeteria.
Pittsford Memorial Day Parade & Services: A morning memorial service will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Leonardson Cemetery, followed by a downtown program at 10:30 a.m. and the parade kickoff at 11:00 a.m.. The full event will be broadcast live on 92.1 WCSR. The Lions Club will also host a chicken dinner behind the school. Additionally, the Pittsford Garden Club will offer perennials by donation on Rail Street.
Hillsdale American Legion Ceremony Schedule: The Hillsdale American Legion will conduct a sequence of consecutive memorial ceremonies at local cemeteries throughout the late morning and early afternoon:
* 10:00 a.m. – Oak Grove Cemetery (Montgomery Street)
* 11:00 a.m. – Lakeview Cemetery (Barnard Street)
* 11:45 a.m. – Saint Anthony Cemetery (Hudson Road)
* 12:30 p.m. – Hillsdale American Legion Post (1611 Steamburg Road)
The Pittsford Memorial Day 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament takes place over two days, starting with the youth divisions on Saturday morning, May 23rd. The 5th and 6th-grade matches tip off at 10:00 a.m., followed by the 7th and 8th-grade and Junior High Girls divisions at 11:00 a.m.. Tournament play then resumes on Monday morning, May 25th, with the JV and Varsity Boys and Girls divisions starting at 10:00 a.m., and wraps up with the Men’s and Women’s Open divisions at 1:00 p.m.. The entry fee is $50 per team, which includes 1st-place t-shirts, and team entries are accepted up until 10 minutes before each division’s start time.
