PARSIPPANY — Predictions of heavy rain forced several Morris County towns to postpone their Memorial Day parades, but not Parsippany. In previous years, Former Mayor Mimi Letts always said “The vets marched in the war, so we can march in the rain.”
The parade in Parsippany and Morris Township-Morristown, however, marched as expected, while several towns, like Hanover, moved formal Memorial Day ceremonies and observances indoors, while others just postponed their festivities. Parades were cancelled or postponed on Monday in Denville, Dover, East Hanover, Hanover and Roxbury.
Parsippany Police Chief Paul Philipps said township officials were monitoring the forecast Sunday night into Monday morning. They ultimately made the call to march the township’s parade, as planned.
The large crowd gathered at the corner of Littleton and Rita Drive being entertained by jugglers and other street performers until the parade arrived, led by the Parsippany Hills High School Marching Band.
Parsippany’s Dr. Philip Santiago emceed the parade which began at Sylvan Way and Littleton Road and made its way up to the bandstand at the corner of Littleton Road and Rita Drive, where Mayor James Barberio and Council President Louis Valori, Council Vice President Robert Peluso, Councilmen Michael dePierro and Paul Carifi, Jr., and Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani waited. Also present were Freeholder Thomas Mastrangelo and Douglas Cabana.
