In an event featuring classic cars and candy, Kent State’s ROTC students will lead the Memorial Day parade to honor past and present veterans for the American Legion.

This year’s parade is expected to be bigger than last year’s, with more participants and military vehicles, along with fan favorites like fire trucks, the high school band, classic cars and candy.

Post adjutant Eric Roberts said that the parade will be focused on the memorial.

“Of course, we want the community to enjoy and have fun, and for the kids to have a good time seeing the parade, but we really want to make sure we center what we’re really there for too: the memorial,” Roberts said. 

The parade is a time for young and old to come together as a community to pay respect to veterans of all kinds, he said.

The event is sponsored by the Portage American Legion, Post 496, a veterans organization that does philanthropy in the community.

“We do a lot of community service, help a lot of guys out that need help with different things whether it be housing, food, their utility bills, whatever it may be. We try to help [veterans] in all those ways,” Commander Ed Lupton said.

The parade will start May 29th at 10 a.m. at the Main Street Bridge in downtown Kent. It will conclude at Standing Rock Cemetery with a memorial service honoring veterans who have died.

Evelyn Willett is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].