The Essex Memorial Day ceremony and parade brought the crowds out to line the sidewalks in Essex Junction on Saturday.
Two trumpeters from the Essex High School band played “Taps” as wreaths were laid during ceremonies at Veterans Memorial Park before the parade began.
The parade started and ended on the grounds of the Champlain Valley Expo and passed through the Five Corners intersection.
Dark skies and the threat of rain did little to diminish enthusiasm among the children for candy nor among people cheering on firefighters, marching bands, Shriners on motorbikes, jugglers and antique tractors. A passel of politicians brought up the rear of the parade, zig-zagging across the road they raced to shake as many hands as possible.
