Whitefish cancels annual Memorial Day parade
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 years, 5 months AGO
The Memorial Day parade makes its way down Second Street toward the Whitefish Cemetery on Memorial Day. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | May 22, 2020 1:00 AM
This year’s Memorial Day parade through Whitefish has been canceled.
Whitefish’s Lion Mountain VFW Post 276 hosts the parade and ceremony every May on Memorial Day to honor veterans who have died.
VFW Commander Fred Hamilton said while everyone could use a parade this year, the VFW felt it best to cancel due to restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The VFW members will still be putting the flags up around the cemetery and have a small ceremony at the Veterans Memorial,” he said.
He says the VFW may look at holding a parade later in the year.
On Memorial Day, the parade typically passes through downtown on Second Street stopping at the Veterans Memorial Bridge for a ceremony before heading to the Whitefish Cemetery for a memorial ceremony.
Hundreds of folks usually gather along the parade route and then make their way to the cemetery for the ceremony including musical performances, a guest speaker and a wreath laying ceremony.
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