Memorial Day Parades, Festivities & Fun in Litchfield
Summer officially arrives with Memorial Day Weekend and that means parades and ceremonies, the beach and the lake – and barbecues. Here’s a quick guide to some of what’s happening in Litchfield this weekend.
Parades & Ceremonies
Morgan Weir Post #27, The American Legion of Litchfield, invites everyone in the community to attend and/or participate in its annual Flag Placement and Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony.
The flag replacement takes place Saturday at 9 a.m. Participants meet at Post #27 at 418 Bantam Rd. for instructions, and then head to the town’s East, St. Anthony’s and West cemeteries to place (or replace) American flags on veterans’ graves to pay their respects to our nation’s heroes.
The Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony in Litchfield center takes place on Memorial Day at 10 a.m. The theme is “Respect to all our Veterans.” Veterans and community groups are invited to participate.
The parade kicks off at 10 at the top of North Street and proceeds through the town center. A ceremony will be held following the parade on Center Green.
Follow the Post 27 Facebook page for updates, and anyone with questions or seeking more details may email [email protected].
The Bantam Memorial Day Parade takes place Sunday (the day before Memorial Day) and forms on Doyle Road in Bantam center. It begins at 1 p.m. and turns left on Route 202 to proceed to the All-Wars Memorial for a ceremony. Those enjoying the parade can head to Bantam Borough Hall afterward for refreshments. Watch the American Legion Post 44 Facebook page for updates.
Beaches & the Lake(s)
Sandy Beach, the public beach on Bantam Lake, located off East Shore Road in Morris, opens Saturday for the season. There’s swimming, boating, volleyball, fishing, bathrooms, a picnic area, and even a concession stand—all of which makes it “the best kept secret on Bantam Lake.” Hours, fees and other information can be found on the website.
The Litchfield Town Beach (244 North Shore Rd.) is open to residents via a permit/parking pass system at a cost of $15 per year. See the Park & Rec website for rules and procedures for obtaining a pass.
A limited number of daily passes are available at $30 per vehicle, per day for non-residents during the summer.
Mount Tom State Park on the southwestern edge of Litchfield, off Route 202, has a sandy beach for swimming, a boat launch for canoes, kayaks and other non-power boats, a picnic area, and there’s a hike to a stone tower with commanding views.
BBQ Prep
In addition to supermarkets, delis, and specialty food markets, Litchfield has two farmers markets that are great resources for those planning Memorial Day Weekend gatherings.
The Bantam Community Farmers Market takes place each Friday through October from 3 to 6 p.m. at Alain White Field, located at 273 Bantam Lake Rd. (Route 209).
The Litchfield Hills Farm-Fresh Market begins its outdoor season this Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the parking lot above Center School, where it remains each week into October.
Ace Hardware of Litchfield is holding its first Men’s Event Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guests are invited to stop by for tasting, food samples, raffles and Memorial Day weekend sales. Special guests will include @litchfielddistillery, @norbrookfarm, @manchesterbbq, @joseph_que_barbecue and more, while demos & food samples will be provided by @biggreenegg, @traegergrills, @manchesterbbq, @breeo, and more.
Your Resource for Making Plans
Add more to your Memorial Day Weekend agenda via the Visit Litchfield CT website. Head to our Outdoor Activities page to find terrific hikes and other opportunities. Spend time in our Eat & Drink section to connect to the best coffee, baked goods, sweets and homemade ice cream for pit stops, and head to Dining for terrific restaurants, many with outdoor dining, and make sure to use our Provisions page to stock the fridge and pantry for barbecues and family gatherings.