Noank Memorial Day Parade

Noank Memorial Day Parade returns Monday, May 25, beginning at 10 a.m. on Main Street before looping through the village and concluding at Noank Valley Cemetery for a Memorial Day ceremony honoring fallen service members. The annual shoreline tradition brings together veterans groups, local families, and residents beneath American flags and the quiet maritime atmosphere that defines the historic village of Noank. Parade route closures are expected beginning around 9:15 a.m. as the community gathers for one of the area’s longstanding Memorial Day observances.

This year’s ceremony will feature retired U.S. Navy Capt. Mike Hewitt as the guest speaker. Hewitt, who served in the Navy from 1964 through 1990 and commanded multiple submarines during his career, plans to reflect on military sacrifice, the region’s submarine history, and the deep connection between Noank, Groton, Electric Boat, and the Navy’s submarine community.

The Noank Memorial Day Parade continues to balance the atmosphere of a traditional New England village gathering with the deeper purpose of remembrance and reflection. Following the parade, attendees will gather at Noank Valley Cemetery, where veterans from generations of American conflicts are honored in a ceremony rooted in gratitude, community history, and military service.