Frequently Asked Questions
Please see these frequently asked questions:
What time do the roads close?
The roads will close at 7:30am. Once they are closed, they are closed. The barricades cannot be opened for through or local traffic, child drop offs, unit vehicles or homeowners. Please plan accordingly. Also, the staging areas must have no cars in the road after 6am for the safety of your vehicle and the units in the parade. Please see the map below for barricade locations (red rectangles), parade area (orange highlighted areas) and parking lots (green highlighted areas).
What roads are closed for the Freehold Memorial Day Parade?
Due to this special event, there will be road closures to allow for the safe set-up and running of the parade. Beginning at 7:30am, the following roads will be closed:
How can I move around town during the road closures?
The best way to maneuver around the town would be to use Park Ave (Route 33) to get to 9 or to Kozloski Rd for that side of town, and Robertsville Rd to Dutch Lane Rd to maneuver around the other side of town. Monument St out to Pond Road will also be available to leave town. Please see the map below for barricade and closed roads.
What is the Point Memorial Service?
The Point Service takes place at 8:30 am on Memorial Day morning at Elks Point in Freehold. The ceremony includes the reading of names of various service members killed in action during all wars who were from the Freehold Area. The service is open to the public, and we welcome you to attend to help us pay tribute to our Fallen Local Heroes. It will last approximately 30 minutes. If you are in the parade and would like to attend, just ensure you are back to your unit before the parade leaves without you!
Who can apply to be in the parade?
Any veterans group, military group, community organization, school, religious organization, band, horse group, youth group, etc. can apply to be in the Freehold Memorial Day Parade.
I am part of a paid band and would like to march in the Freehold Memorial Day Parade; is this possible?
Yes it is, but our ability to hire bands is limited. All paid groups will have to go through the committee for approval and will be paid AFTER the parade.
I am a troop leader for the Boy/Girl Scouts. Do I need to register my troop?
No. The main regional branch of these organizations - The Battleground District Scouts and the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore - fill out one application each that encompasses all troops for that organization. Each troop does not need to register with us individually. Additionally, we will notify the contact person on that general application about the line of march information after May 20th, not individual troops.
Do I need to fill out an application to be in the parade?
YES! All units must fill out and return the application in order to be in the parade.
Is there a deadline for when the application needs to be in?
All applications are due in by May 1st.
I have filled out and returned my application. Now what?
All applications will be reviewed at the next Freehold Memorial Day Parade Committee meeting. If your unit has been accepted to march in the parade the contact person listed on the application will receive an email with that information. You will then hear from us again no earlier than May 20th with your line of march information. YOUR LINE OF MARCH INFORMATION WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL MAY 20TH!
What do I do on the morning of the parade?
Have one member of your organization register with us at the corner of Brinkerhoff Avenue and Main Street between 7:15 and 9:00 am so that we know that your unit has arrived. PLEASE DO NOT REGISTER ANY LATER THAN 9 AM! You will receive a long ribbon from us when you register.
Where do I line up for the parade?
Right about May 20th your unit will receive an email with your line up number, the street where you will be lined up, and how to get to that spot for any unit that includes a vehicle. Our general units will be lined up on Main Street, Brinkerhoff Avenue, Berkeley Place, Kiawah Avenue, Prospect Place, and Stillwell Place. Our fire/rescue units will line up on Yard Avenue and Broad Street. YOUR LINE OF MARCH INFORMATION WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL MAY 20TH! Once your line of march is assigned, it CANNOT be changed!
What happens if the weather forecast looks bleak?
This is a rain or shine event. The veterans told us long ago, "we fought in the rain, we'll march in the rain," so we will march in the rain if it becomes necessary. The parade will only be cancelled if there is a safety concern due to lightning, and that call will not be made until the earliest of 9:45 am the morning of. P.S. Our Chairman, Alice McCobb wants to assure you, "IT DOESN'T RAIN ON MY PARADE!!!"
What time does the parade begin?
The parade will step off from the corner of Brinkerhoff Avenue and Main Street promptly at 10 am. There will be a flag draped caisson that will leave the corner of Brinkerhoff Avenue and Main Street at 9:45 am, just ahead of the parade itself.
Where does the parade march?
The parade begins at the corner of Brinkerhoff Avenue and Main Street and walks down Main Street to the center of town. Units will then take the left fork onto Broadway and then turn left onto Murray Street. The parade will continue down Murray and take a left onto Schanck Street before turning right onto Monument Street and ending in the parking lot of the Monmouth County Courthouse. See the blue line on the map below for full route.
How long is the parade?
The last unit will arrive at the Courthouse around 12 noon, so from the time the first unit leaves the starting point, to the time the last unit ends, it will be approximately 2 hours.
How far of a walk is the parade?
The distance from the starting point to the end is approximately 1.3 miles. The walk, including from where units will line up, could be closer to 1.5 - 1.75 miles.
Where can I park?
All of the streets where the parade lines up and marches will officially close as of 7:30 am on the morning of the parade - this means you cannot park or drive on these roads FOR ANY REASON! You can park in the parking lot of the Monmouth County Courthouse (where the parade ends), the McGackin Triangle, Borough Hall lot, Market Yard or you can park anywhere off of the parade route and walk from there. See the green highlighted areas on the map below for more information.
My child is in the parade with their youth organization, how can I get to their spot to drop them off?
All of the streets where the parade lines up and marches will officially close as of 7:30 am on the morning of the parade - this means you cannot park or drive on these roads FOR ANY REASON - this includes child drop offs. We have arranged a drop off location for walking units - particularly those with children (teams, troops, etc.) to drop off and that is the Living Springs Church parking lot on the corner of Main St. and Park Ave. (Routes 537 and 33) This is a drop and go location - no parking or pulling into the lot. See the light blue box on the map below.
I'm new to town and want to watch the parade; where is the best place to sit?
Anywhere along the parade route (see blue line on the map below) is a good seat to watch the parade. Many long-time spectators will tell you that wherever they watch from every year, is the best spot there is, and they are all right! The Master of Ceremonies will be announcing each group as it passes the Hall of Records in the center of town, but anywhere you sit you will have a great time!
Is the Freehold Memorial Day Parade a political event?
No, we are a community event. The Freehold Memorial Day Parade strives to honor the fallen of this nation, those who lost their lives in defense of this great nation, and were never able to hold the title of veteran. As such, we are not a political event but a community one, that is constantly trying to better pay tribute to those to whom we owe everything.
How can I help the Freehold Memorial Day Parade?
We are so glad you asked that! There are several ways that you can help the Freehold Memorial Day Parade Committee keep the parade running smoothly:
Still have a question that was not listed here? Contact us with any further questions!
What time do the roads close?
The roads will close at 7:30am. Once they are closed, they are closed. The barricades cannot be opened for through or local traffic, child drop offs, unit vehicles or homeowners. Please plan accordingly. Also, the staging areas must have no cars in the road after 6am for the safety of your vehicle and the units in the parade. Please see the map below for barricade locations (red rectangles), parade area (orange highlighted areas) and parking lots (green highlighted areas).
What roads are closed for the Freehold Memorial Day Parade?
Due to this special event, there will be road closures to allow for the safe set-up and running of the parade. Beginning at 7:30am, the following roads will be closed:
- Main Street (between Route 33 and Jackson Street)
- Brinkerhoff Avenue
- Berkeley Place
- Kiawah Avenue (between Route 33 and Hull Avenue)
- Prospect Place
- Stillwell Place
- Yard Avenue (between Main Street and West George Street)
- Broad Street (between Route 33 and Manalapan Avenue)
- Hull Avenue (between Main Street and Kiawah Avenue)
- Lincoln Place (between Main Street and Kiawah Avenue)
- Manalapan Avenue (between Main Street and Broad Street)
- Throckmorton Street (between South Street and Broad Street)
- Court Street (between Main Street and Broad Street)
- South Street (between Main Street and Mechanic Street)
- Morris Street (between Main Street and Lafayette Street)
- Spring Street (between Main Street and Wayne Avenue)
- Broadway (between Main Street and Fulton Street)
- Henry Street (between Broadway and Wayne Avenue)
- Murray Street
- Schank Street
- Monument Street (between Court Street and Edgewood Drive)
How can I move around town during the road closures?
The best way to maneuver around the town would be to use Park Ave (Route 33) to get to 9 or to Kozloski Rd for that side of town, and Robertsville Rd to Dutch Lane Rd to maneuver around the other side of town. Monument St out to Pond Road will also be available to leave town. Please see the map below for barricade and closed roads.
What is the Point Memorial Service?
The Point Service takes place at 8:30 am on Memorial Day morning at Elks Point in Freehold. The ceremony includes the reading of names of various service members killed in action during all wars who were from the Freehold Area. The service is open to the public, and we welcome you to attend to help us pay tribute to our Fallen Local Heroes. It will last approximately 30 minutes. If you are in the parade and would like to attend, just ensure you are back to your unit before the parade leaves without you!
Who can apply to be in the parade?
Any veterans group, military group, community organization, school, religious organization, band, horse group, youth group, etc. can apply to be in the Freehold Memorial Day Parade.
I am part of a paid band and would like to march in the Freehold Memorial Day Parade; is this possible?
Yes it is, but our ability to hire bands is limited. All paid groups will have to go through the committee for approval and will be paid AFTER the parade.
I am a troop leader for the Boy/Girl Scouts. Do I need to register my troop?
No. The main regional branch of these organizations - The Battleground District Scouts and the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore - fill out one application each that encompasses all troops for that organization. Each troop does not need to register with us individually. Additionally, we will notify the contact person on that general application about the line of march information after May 20th, not individual troops.
Do I need to fill out an application to be in the parade?
YES! All units must fill out and return the application in order to be in the parade.
Is there a deadline for when the application needs to be in?
All applications are due in by May 1st.
I have filled out and returned my application. Now what?
All applications will be reviewed at the next Freehold Memorial Day Parade Committee meeting. If your unit has been accepted to march in the parade the contact person listed on the application will receive an email with that information. You will then hear from us again no earlier than May 20th with your line of march information. YOUR LINE OF MARCH INFORMATION WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL MAY 20TH!
What do I do on the morning of the parade?
Have one member of your organization register with us at the corner of Brinkerhoff Avenue and Main Street between 7:15 and 9:00 am so that we know that your unit has arrived. PLEASE DO NOT REGISTER ANY LATER THAN 9 AM! You will receive a long ribbon from us when you register.
Where do I line up for the parade?
Right about May 20th your unit will receive an email with your line up number, the street where you will be lined up, and how to get to that spot for any unit that includes a vehicle. Our general units will be lined up on Main Street, Brinkerhoff Avenue, Berkeley Place, Kiawah Avenue, Prospect Place, and Stillwell Place. Our fire/rescue units will line up on Yard Avenue and Broad Street. YOUR LINE OF MARCH INFORMATION WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL MAY 20TH! Once your line of march is assigned, it CANNOT be changed!
What happens if the weather forecast looks bleak?
This is a rain or shine event. The veterans told us long ago, "we fought in the rain, we'll march in the rain," so we will march in the rain if it becomes necessary. The parade will only be cancelled if there is a safety concern due to lightning, and that call will not be made until the earliest of 9:45 am the morning of. P.S. Our Chairman, Alice McCobb wants to assure you, "IT DOESN'T RAIN ON MY PARADE!!!"
What time does the parade begin?
The parade will step off from the corner of Brinkerhoff Avenue and Main Street promptly at 10 am. There will be a flag draped caisson that will leave the corner of Brinkerhoff Avenue and Main Street at 9:45 am, just ahead of the parade itself.
Where does the parade march?
The parade begins at the corner of Brinkerhoff Avenue and Main Street and walks down Main Street to the center of town. Units will then take the left fork onto Broadway and then turn left onto Murray Street. The parade will continue down Murray and take a left onto Schanck Street before turning right onto Monument Street and ending in the parking lot of the Monmouth County Courthouse. See the blue line on the map below for full route.
How long is the parade?
The last unit will arrive at the Courthouse around 12 noon, so from the time the first unit leaves the starting point, to the time the last unit ends, it will be approximately 2 hours.
How far of a walk is the parade?
The distance from the starting point to the end is approximately 1.3 miles. The walk, including from where units will line up, could be closer to 1.5 - 1.75 miles.
Where can I park?
All of the streets where the parade lines up and marches will officially close as of 7:30 am on the morning of the parade - this means you cannot park or drive on these roads FOR ANY REASON! You can park in the parking lot of the Monmouth County Courthouse (where the parade ends), the McGackin Triangle, Borough Hall lot, Market Yard or you can park anywhere off of the parade route and walk from there. See the green highlighted areas on the map below for more information.
My child is in the parade with their youth organization, how can I get to their spot to drop them off?
All of the streets where the parade lines up and marches will officially close as of 7:30 am on the morning of the parade - this means you cannot park or drive on these roads FOR ANY REASON - this includes child drop offs. We have arranged a drop off location for walking units - particularly those with children (teams, troops, etc.) to drop off and that is the Living Springs Church parking lot on the corner of Main St. and Park Ave. (Routes 537 and 33) This is a drop and go location - no parking or pulling into the lot. See the light blue box on the map below.
I'm new to town and want to watch the parade; where is the best place to sit?
Anywhere along the parade route (see blue line on the map below) is a good seat to watch the parade. Many long-time spectators will tell you that wherever they watch from every year, is the best spot there is, and they are all right! The Master of Ceremonies will be announcing each group as it passes the Hall of Records in the center of town, but anywhere you sit you will have a great time!
Is the Freehold Memorial Day Parade a political event?
No, we are a community event. The Freehold Memorial Day Parade strives to honor the fallen of this nation, those who lost their lives in defense of this great nation, and were never able to hold the title of veteran. As such, we are not a political event but a community one, that is constantly trying to better pay tribute to those to whom we owe everything.
How can I help the Freehold Memorial Day Parade?
We are so glad you asked that! There are several ways that you can help the Freehold Memorial Day Parade Committee keep the parade running smoothly:
- Every month (excepting December, June, July, and August) the Freehold Memorial Day Parade Committee, in conjunction with a local restaurant, hosts a fundraiser dinner. These tend to be on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, unless that falls on Thanksgiving week. For these fundraisers, simply print out a flyer that you can find in the "Fundraiser/Sponsorship Info" page on this website, and go enjoy a great meal. When you pay your check, give the flyer to your server and they will make sure that a percentage of your bill will be donated to the Parade. It does not cost you anything extra, other than going out for dinner!
- We are always looking for volunteers to help with the parade - and this includes school aged students! We will provide Community Service Hours to any student that comes out to volunteer for us. Simply come to the corner of Brinkerhoff Avenue and Main Street at 7:45 am on Memorial Day wearing something that denotes your school, sign in, and be given a job for the day. Most students will simply be holding a sign and walking the parade route, so dress comfortably and for the weather. In addition, for the last several years we have hosted a volunteer competition to see which middle or high school in the Freehold Area has the most community minded students. The school that provides the most volunteers will receive a trophy, and all of the student volunteers from that school will get a customized t-shirt to show off their bragging rights for winning.
- We are always looking for military in dress uniform to march in the parade, either alongside the caisson that precedes the parade, or to carry a flag in our Lead Color Guard. If you know of any service member who might be willing to do this, please send them our way! If they do not know if they can come in advance of the parade, that is okay; we would love to have them, even of they come at the last minute. Meet at the corner of Brinkerhoff Avenue and Main Street at 9 am - there is no such thing as too much military!
- If you are really interested in helping with the parade, consider joining our Parade Committee. Contact us for more information!
Still have a question that was not listed here? Contact us with any further questions!
