Residents across Chatham-Kent are being invited to take a moment to pay tribute to Canada’s veterans at one of several ceremonies across the municipality.
Remembrance Day will be marked on Friday with the processions and events listed below. All roads will be temporarily closed to allow parades to pass:
Wallaceburg:
A Remembrance Day parade hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #18 will take place from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
The parade will start at Wallaceburg District Secondary School on Lorne Avenue and proceed south on Lorne Avenue, east on Elgin Street, and south on Lisgar Street to the Cenotaph at the corner of Dufferin Avenue and Lisgar Street for a Remembrance Day service. A procession will then proceed north on Lisgar Street, west on Elgin Street, north on Lorne Avenue and conclude at Wallaceburg District Secondary School.
Chatham:
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #642 will host a parade beginning at the Legion, located at 39 William Street N, at 10:45 a.m. The procession will head south on William Street and west on King Street West to the Cenotaph on Sixth Street for a service. After the service, the procession will proceed back to the Legion along the same route.
Blenheim:
Beginning at 10:45 a.m., the parade will begin at Royal Canadian Legion Branch #185 on Catherine Street, proceeding north on George Street to St. Mary’s Hall for a Remembrance Day service, before returning to the Legion branch on the same route.
Bothwell:
Royal Canadian Legion Branch #252 is hosting a parade starting at the branch at 162 George Street E, beginning a 10 a.m. The procession will head west on George Street and then north on Main Street to the Cenotaph for a service, before returning on the same route.
Dresden:
A Remembrance Day ceremony in Dresden will begin with a parade, hosted by Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 113. The procession starts at CK Fire Station 6 on Lindsley Street heading west, before turning south on St. George Street South and ending at the Cenotaph on Queen Street for the ceremony. Afterwards, the procession will reform and proceed west on Queen Street West, north on Centre Street, and east on Lindsley Street to end back at the fire station.
Erieau:
Following the ceremony in Blenheim, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #252 will host another Remembrance Day parade and ceremony in Erieau starting at 1:30 p.m.
The procession will start at Molly and OJ’s Restaurant and head east on Mariners Road, north on Nichols Avenue, and then west on Ross Lane to the Veterans Monument for a wreath-laying ceremony. Afterwards, the procession will reform and proceed west on Ross Lane, south on the service road, and then back to Mariners Road to end at Molly and OJ’s.
Thamesville:
Legion executive and dignitaries gather at Branch 367 before 10:30 and march from the Legion to the cenotaph at 10:50AM. Cenotaph service to immediately follow. A church service will follow along with a light lunch at the Thamesville Legion Branch #367. A new town-wide outdoor sound system will supply audio from the service throughout downtown Thamesville.
Tilbury:
Beginning at 10:30 a.m., the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #206 will host a parade, which starts at the branch location on Stewart Avenue. The procession will head west on Stewart Avenue, north on Queen Street and end at the Cenotaph on Canal Street East for a service. Following the ceremony, the processions will follow the same route back to the Legion branch.
Wheatley:
A parade will begin at Wheatley United Church on Talbot Road West at 10 a.m. and proceed east to the Cenotaph for a service, hosted by Royal Canadian Legion Branch #324. Following the ceremony, the procession will head west on Queen Road West and end back at the church on Talbot Road West.
Merlin:
Starting at Royal Canadian Legion Branch #465, a Remembrance Day parade will proceed west on Stanley Street, and then north on Erie Street South to the Cenotaph at Kinsman Park for a wreath service. The procession will then proceed south on Erie Street North, and then east on Aberdeen Street to the Merlin Community Hall for a service. Following the ceremony, the parade will reform and head west on Aberdeen Street, south on Erie Street South, and east on Stanley Street to conclude at the Legion branch.