Castinetti announces contingency plan for Saugus Memorial Day parade

SAUGUS – Selectman Steve Castinetti announced a contingency plan for the Memorial Day Parade in case of rain.In the event of inclement weather, which Castinetti described as “much more than a drizzle,” the ceremony will be held at Belmonte Middle School auditorium at 25 Adams Court, with the same 9 a.m. start time on Saturday.Castinetti said the town could not choose an alternate rain date because all the bands were booked for Saturday. “We’ll have everyone packed in,” said Castinetti. “But let’s hope it’s on the street, not the auditorium.Memorial Day will be celebrated in Saugus on Saturday at 9 a.m. with what Castinetti said will be “one of our largest parades ever.”The parade will feature “Singing Trooper” Daniel Clark, a former U.S. Marine and renowned Massachusetts State Trooper (Ret.), as keynote presenter. The Grand Marshall leading the parade is Captain Thomas J. Hudner Jr., USN (Ret), Medal of Honor recipient, Korea.The parade steps off at 9 a.m., with a route as follows: Jackson Street to Lincoln Avenue, Lincoln Avenue to Central Street, Central Street to Winter Street, Winter Street to Riverside Cemetery (memorial service at Riverside Cemetery), Riverside Cemetery to Winter Street, Winter Street to Central Street, Central Street to Saugus Center (memorial ceremony at Town Hall).The parade will also feature military vehicles, World War II reenactors, Lynn English JROTC, and for the first time, the IOPOA Pipers, who will be marching and playing in full battle regalia.