For over 40 years, the town of North Haven has proudly observed Memorial Day to honor all those Americans who have given their lives in service to our country.

This year's Memorial Day parade will take place Saturday, May 24 and will begin at North Haven Middle School, 55 Bailey Road, at 10:30 a.m. It will proceed down Bailey Road, continue on Maple Avenue and come to an end on Church Street where participants will disband onto the Town Green.

Anyone marching in the parade should assemble at the North Haven High School via the Elm Street entrance between 9:30 and 10:30 am. The rain date for the parade is Saturday, May 31.

"Everybody likes a parade," said George Thomson, the parade chairman and member of the American Legion Murray-Reynolds Post No. 76, which will be sponsoring this year's parade. "We've got a good lineup this year. We've got a Sheridan tank, named after General Sheridan of the Civil War, the 2nd Governor's Foot and Horse Guard, North Haven's own Land craft Fife & Drum Corp as well as five others, the North Haven middle and high school bands, the world-renowned Hurricanes' marching band, fire engines, tractors, and of course, all the standard marching units made up of the people that make this town so great."

This year's speakers will include State Sen. Leonard A. Fasano, R-North Haven, First Selectman Janet M. McCarty, Steve Fontana, a Democratic member of the Board of Selectmen and Daniel Riccio, commander of the American Legion's Post No. 76.

Charles Swartzwelder, a member and past commander of the American Legion Murray-Reynolds Post No. 76, will serve as the parade's grand marshal.

Thomson, a Vietnam veteran, said he is looking forward to a "nice, intimate town affair."

The town's annual "KidFest" event will take place on the Town Green immediately following the parade.

Eileen Pettit, the town's assistant director of recreation, explained that the event itself is called "KidFest," but "KidPride" is an award given annually to five North Haven youths.

Pettit said the award goes to "youths we feel exemplify the values of kindness and selflessness that help improve the overall quality of life here in North Haven."

Each recipient has to be sponsored and the winners receive a $100 savings bond courtesy of John and Pattie McKnight, owners of the McDonald's on Washington Avenue. McCarty will present the honor to the five "KidPride" winners.

Minotti Music, 473 Washington Ave., has sponsored an afternoon of entertainment from 1 to 4 p.m. Along with speeches from various town officials, performers will include Wendy's School of Dance, 11 Renee Lane, Black Dragon Limited, 79 State St., Olympic Tae Kwon Do, 344 Washington Ave., East Coast Sports, 285 State St. and the Callioe Choir. Food will be provided by J-Roo's Restaurant, 249 State St.

Mark and Mary Minotti, owners of Minotti Music, said the future of "KidFest" will depend on this year's attendance.

"They were going to cancel KidFest," Mark Minotti said. "It's important in these tough economic times to not stop events like this."

"That's what community is all about," Mary Minotti said.