Dexter's Memorial Day theme is 'A Time to Honor'
Veterans will take center stage in Dexter on Monday for the village’s annual Memorial Day ceremonies, which include a special service in Monument Park at 9 a.m. to be followed by a parade down Main Street at 10 a.m. This year’s parade theme is “A Time to Honor,” and unlike previous years, those who would like to participate need to fill out an application and be pre-approved.
So, here are some of the new rules for parade participants.
- Veterans organizations and current members of the U.S. Military
- Dexter Area and Scio Fire Departments; Washtenaw County Sheriff Department
- Local community organizations conveying a sense of patriotism (as opposed to commercialism or fundraising)
- Dexter Schools organizations
- Governmental elected or appointed officials
And here are some of the restrictions:
- Campaign or political displays other than those necessary to identify the dignitary or elected official are prohibited.
- Participants approved to walk in the parade may distribute candy, gum and flyers by hand along the curb line. Flyers must be about community organizations or upcoming community events.
- No items may be thrown from vehicles, floats or wagons in the parade.
- All forms of advertising for services or merchandise, such as the distribution of business flyers or items with logo or company name are prohibited.
- Any organization with animals must have a follower to pick up dropping from their animals.
- All vehicles must be in safe, road-worthy condition and have full insurance coverage.
- Commercial vehicles are prohibited with the exception of those vehicles used to transport members of the allowed entries.
- Prohibited vehicles include: off-road vehicles, ATVs, go karts, mini-bikes, highly modified cars or trucks, motorcycles (except military or law enforcement).
Applications can be found in pdf form here: www.villageofdexter.org/memorial_day_parade.pdf. Registration approval is required to participate in the parade, and all registrations must be submitted to the village office no later than Thursday, at 3 p.m. They can be mailed to 8140 Main St., Dexter, 48130 or dropped off at the Village Office on the 2nd Floor of PNC Bank, 8123 Main St. For questions call 734-426-8303.
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Comments
ronald sharp
Thu, May 24, 2012 : 12:55 p.m.
I have been watching the Memorial Day parade for almost 40 years and have found it refreshingly community oriented. Anyone who wanted to be in the parade was welcome. Now some beurocrats have decided to impose rules and regulations for no apparent good reason other than they have the ability to so do. Lighten up. There have been no problems with the parade in the past so why impose these ridiculous regulations?
Laura Jones
Tue, May 22, 2012 : 2:14 p.m.
I think Dexter just officially got too big for their britches. Here come the ridiculous regulations for something that has gone on for years just fine without them. According to these rules, La Fontaine is out, the Dexter karate and dance schools are all out, the old cars are out, the clowns are out, St. Joe's advertising their carnival is out and so it the Webster pig roast, but the politicians are in, as if they are not selling anything or fundraising. This parade has always been about a full slice of Dexter not some sanitized version of it, which I think this change creates. Vets have always been honored at the head of the march. The only thing I have noticed over the years are the folks who can't seem to get off their behinds when the colors march and the Vets arrive - but it's certainly their right to do so. I don't think these changes represent any real progress for Dexter at all.
xmo
Mon, May 21, 2012 : 10:42 p.m.
What does Ann Arbor do to remember it's veterans?