What to Know About the 159th Annual Alton Memorial Day Parade

Our Daily Show Interview! 159th Memorial Day Parade Set for 5-25

ALTON - One of the longest-running Memorial Day parades in the country will once again take to the streets of Alton.

The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026. The route runs up College Avenue and through Upper Alton. Organizers Steve and Greg with the East End Improvement Association are eager to share the parade and its impressive 159-year history with the community.

“The history is kind of amazing,” Greg said. “1868 is when it started, a few years after the Civil War. It was the Fraternal Order of Veterans from the Civil War that designated May 30, at that point in time, to be a day to honor the dead. Alton has held that parade since then.”

This year’s parade has roughly 70 participants, though this number may grow as the East End Improvement Association will accept entries through May 20. You can email EastEndImprovement.parades@gmail.com to apply. The Alton High School ROTC will provide the color guard.

This year’s marshal, Sam Roberts, is respected throughout Alton for his contributions to the community as president of Roberts Motors, Inc. Roberts is also a Marine veteran. Steve and Greg expressed their appreciation and excitement to include him in the parade.

“He’s a veteran. Of course, with Roberts Ford, he’s helped tremendously around the community, the Alton community, the Riverbend community,” Steve said. “It’s an honor to have him.”

New this year, the parade will also feature a 10:30 a.m. flyover from a B-25 plane. This is provided through the Commemorative Air Force out of their base in St. Charles, Missouri.

“It’s really cool,” Steve said. “The Commemorative Air Force, they started here in 1981. It’s a nationwide service organization where they have wings all through the United States. Over in St. Charles, it started in 1981, and their purpose is to continue the history of World War II aviation. It’s exciting news.”

Steve and Greg thanked Tycon Builders and Moyer Construction for their sponsorship, which made it financially possible to bring the flyover to Alton. They also expressed their gratitude for the Alton Police and Fire departments, which monitor the parade route, and the Alton Street Department for their cleanup efforts.

For participants, staging starts at 8 a.m. on May 25. The Optimist Club helps with staging. Participants are divided into sections A, B, C and D.

Section A — “dignitaries,” Greg said, including local mayors and Roberts — will stage in “the pit” at Alton Middle School alongside Section B (student organizations) and Section C (family and community organizations). Section D (politicians and commercial groups) will stage at Rock Springs Park.

All of this information will be shared with participants in the coming days. Greg and Steve encourage people to reach out with any questions.

They hope to see a big crowd during the 159th annual Alton Memorial Day parade. They are proud of the tradition and eager to continue its legacy in the Riverbend.

“It’s pretty incredible,” Greg added. “It amazes me, the history in our area and how we continue to support the history and support those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.”

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