Hart Public Schools hosts Memorial Day parade.

Hart Public Schools hosts Memorial Day parade.

Pirate News is a presentation of Hart Public Schools in partnership with Oceana County Press.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HART — It’s been a long time since there has been a parade because of COVID-19 crowd restrictions.

But as the pandemic restrictions loosen, beloved community events are beginning to return.

Under the leadership of Hart Public Schools Superintendent Mark Platt, the district is hosting the only Memorial Day parade in Oceana County Monday, May 31, at 11 a.m.

Other Oceana communities are having Memorial Day services, but no one else is having a parade.

With the retirement of long-time Band Director John Taranko, Platt wanted to give him a proper send-off.

Anyone or any groups that would like to participate in the parade are asked to contact Platt at 873-6223. Leave the name of your group and other info with Brenda Peeraer in the superintendent’s office, so you can be officially added to the parade entrant list.

Hart High School band students must meet at the high school and be ready to board the bus at 10 a.m. They will be taken to the staging area at city hall.

All other entrants are to meet at the Lincoln Street staging area between the courthouse and Hodges Pontiac & Buick. Someone will be on hand to help entrants line up.

The parade will start at 11 a.m. and proceed to the Hart Cemetery. “There will be a short program there honoring our fallen soldiers and veterans,” said Platt.

“Because this is Mr. T’s last year leading the band, all HPS band alumni are invited to walk with the band to the cemetery,” said Platt. “Feel free to meet the band at the Hart City Hall staging area and follow the band to the cemetery.”

Band students will then board the bus and return to Hart High School.

Other Memorial Day 2021 events in Oceana County:

Rothbury: Ceremony begins at 9 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Cemetery on Winston Road and proceeds to Oakgrove Cemetery on Webster Road. Master of Ceremonies is Bill Wagner, and Pastor Brian Wolf from Rothbury Community Church will speak. The American Legion Color Guard from Whitehall will be there as well as members of the Grant Township Fire Department.

Walkerville: Several VFW and American Legion members will gather at the Veterans Memorial at the Fairlawn Cemetery, located at Harrison Road and 168th Avenue, at 9 a.m. There will be no formal program, but Walkerville veterans are welcome to stand in formation. The public is welcome to attend.

Hesperia: There will be a small ceremony beginning at 11 a.m. at Vida Weaver Park by the Hesperia Dam. American Legion members will lay wreaths and do a 21-gun salute. Taps will be played, and the Hesperia High School Marching Band will perform patriotic songs.

If you are overseeing a Memorial Day event in Oceana County that is not listed here, please send info to: editor@oceanacountypress.com by noon Friday, May 28. 

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