Douglas 250th Committee votes to end Memorial Day Parade at town war memorials

DOUGLAS — March 5, 2026 — Douglas 250th Anniversary Committee reroutes Memorial Day Parade and approves Independence Day entertainment contract. The volunteer committee, chaired by Alyssa Knotik and appointed by the Board of Selectmen, unanimously voted to redirect the May 23 Memorial Day Parade to end at the war memorials outside the Municipal Center on Depot Street — abandoning a prior plan to terminate at Gleason Court that raised concerns about blocking post office access and fire truck maneuverability. In a second unanimous vote, the committee approved a $1,350 contract with LOL Entertainment for a photo booth, caricaturist, balloon artist, and DJ at the June 27 Independence Day celebration at Soldiers Field, a deal that carries no deposit requirement for the town. Oktoberfest veterans Tony and Mary, attending as consultants, warned that the current two-hour celebration window is "too short" for concession operations to be viable, recommending a minimum four-hour event. The committee also floated a fire department versus police department softball game as a post-parade attraction, with committee member Sheena agreeing to pursue the idea with both departments.