This year Rochester's annual Memorial Day Parade begins with a bang!

A recent Rochester Memorial Day Parade proceeds from the Cocheco River bridge headed south toward the Common. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - A cannon shot Monday morning at 10:30 will sound the start of Rochester's annual Memorial Day Parade from the Holy Rosary Church on North Main Street.

The parade, organized by the Veterans Council, will then march to the historic Arched Bridge over the Cocheco River. where a Memorial Service will be held in honor of those warriors lost at sea. The brief ceremony will feature a rendition of "Taps" by the 18th Dover, 2nd NH Regiment, Revolutionary War re-enactors.

Following the service, the parade will proceed down North Main Street through the heart of downtown and onto South Main Street, concluding at the Rochester Common where the laying of the wreaths ceremony will be held.

Retired Brigadier General Don Bolduc will be the keynote speaker at this year's Memorial Day ceremony.
Along with the annual ceremony and parade, the Field of Honor will also return with its 550-flag tribute to those who served, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
The Field of Honor comprises 550 flags that will be arrayed at the Common, each one dedicated to an individual serviceman or woman.

Participation in the parade is open to all, with no entry fee required. However, all entrants must submit an application to be included in the parade lineup. Interested parties can find more information and submit applications via https://brand.page/rochestermemorialdayparade or rochestermemorialdayparade@gmail.com.

Police advise there will be rolling road closures along the parade route.