The annual parade returns with a focus on Veterans Day Glen Burnie East

The Glen Burnie Improvement Association is bringing back its annual parade with a focus on Veterans Day after halting its traditional Memorial Day parade following a drop in participation.

For three decades, residents in Glen Burnie could be seen lining Crain Highway with chairs and blankets, kids in tow, waiting for the annual Memorial Day parade to begin. Shriners and marching bands would pass by, and the most senior veterans donned their embroidered hats announcing which wars they'd served would bring up the rear, causing lumps in throats and watery eyes.

Parade committee member Candy Fontz said for 29 of those 30 years, the Glen Burnie Memorial Day parade was successful. But participation dropped severely and the association canceled its 2018 parade.

Now the parade is returning with a focus on Veterans Day. The parade is scheduled for 2 p.m.Nov. 10.

"We were forced to cancel because we knew it would not be what was expected of us that was presented," Fontz said.

During budget proposal last year, the committee decided to ramp up the Memorial Day event and pursue a change to the parade.

"Seeing a decline in numbers, we made the choice to change," Fontz said. "For Memorial Day - a much more somber remembrance event at the (WWII) memorial, and move the parade to Veterans Day to honor all veterans and capture enthusiasm for our military."

Fontz said as with any group, change is hard, and there were cries of "this is the way we've always done it", but once the improvement association's board of directors heard the reasoning, the parade core committee wanted to remain involved and was supportive.

"We are a little in flux this year, because we want to be sure we're producing a very appropriate Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremony that won't change between honoring the holiday as it's meant to be," Fontz said.

The committee is hopeful the November weather will be an improvement. Cooler temperatures should mean improved comfort and safety for both spectators and marchers. With many in heavy uniforms and some with advanced age, May's heat sometimes posed a challenge. Fontz said over the last five years at the Veterans Day wreath laying, participants wore no more than a light sweater. Historically, the first week of November is comfortable, she said.

Rain - the committee's nemesis - also has been less common during early November, Fontz said. She said the committee has attempted to hold the parade rain or shine, but a storm can wash it out. With even a light drizzle, groups like Shriners, motorcycle veterans and marching bands risk compromising uniforms, instruments and safety.

"The safety of spectators and participants is our primary concern," Fontz said. "The Glen Burnie Volunteer Fire Department has been a phenomenal partner - they're always there and available for emergency purposes - but the cooler weather will help in the safety aspect."

Fontz said now the committee's focus is to elicit interest from participants, spectators and volunteers. The committee likes to include "noise and action", Fontz said, including music and performance. So far, parade participants include high school marching bands, a couple local businesses, Scout groups and military groups.

She said the committee sometimes has a hard time getting responses from organizations outside the Glen Burnie area, but she is hopeful groups will meet and respond with proposals. Participants are offered up to two minutes to perform in front of the reviewing stand. Once decisions are final, plaques are mailed to winning participants.

"I really would like to see more veterans come out, whether VFW or other military organizations," Fontz said. "I think a lot of people think it has to be specific to Glen Burnie but it most certainly doesn't. The goal is to recognize and honor all veterans so whether it's Orchard Beach or Curtis Bay - wherever - we really would like to see them."

The parade is a great way for small businesses to get their names out, Fontz said. There is no charge to march, and participants can offer handouts to spectators.

The parade stages at Corkran Middle School on Quarterfield Road and proceeds north on Crain Highway, then turns right on Post 40 Road. It disbands at the parking garage at the Glen Burnie Improvement Association's carnival grounds, after a stop at the reviewing stand with judges from the community, veterans and fire department.

The greatest volunteer need is for staging marshals at Corkran - about 16 people are needed to oversee and organize groups into red, white and blue sections of the parade. Fontz said organizing into colors is an easy way of telling marchers where to be and allows organizers to use the Corkran complex to the best of their ability. The three colors are divided again into vehicles and marchers, which promotes pedestrian safety. Route marshals along the parade's course also are needed.

"We are very grateful to the Glen Burnie Improvement Association's board for allowing us to make the change," Fontz said. "Even though it was not done easily, we hope the community comes out to support our veterans and show how thankful we are for their service and for a strong military. We are forward to it."

The deadline for participant registration is Oct. 25. For more information on volunteering or for a participant registration form, email Fontz at cfontz@aol.com or call 410-760-2093.

Caption: This year, Glen Burnie is switching its Memorial Day parade, seen here marching down Crain Highway, to a Veteran's Day parade.

Baltimore Sun Media Group FILE