The annual Memorial Day Celebration in Sewickley has been canceled, officials announced.

“It is with great disappointment that the Sewickley Memorial Day Committee has decided to cancel the Memorial Day celebration for 2021,” reads an announcement posted to the borough’s website.

The Deceased Veterans Service, however, will still be held. The ceremony will start at 1 p.m. May 31 at the Sewickley Cemetery.

Mayor George Shannon said the committee has been discussing the celebration – which typically unfolds over the weekend from May 29-31 – since early January.

“The issue is it takes a tremendous amount of work to put organizations together, to get them trained, prepared – and we have to raise a lot of money for the complete weekend celebration,” he said.

Shannon said the committee did not want to ask all involved in the parade, traditionally held May 31, to train everybody for the event and then find out covid-19 restrictions are still in place, leading to an inevitable cancellation.

The committee was also fearful of potential health risks to participants and spectators.

“… the health risk continues to be too high for the participants and audience members to safely enjoy the events of the weekend. We look forward to a Memorial Day Celebration in 2022!” reads the announcement.

This year marks the second in a row that one of the most longstanding traditions has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Last year would have been the parade’s 129th year.

The event is among the most popular in the borough, attracting up to 5,000 people. The committee, made up of veterans and community volunteers, receives around $25,000 in donations yearly to run the event.

Traditions, aside from the celebration and cemetery service, include a maritime tribute at the Coast Guard station and service at Sewickley United Methodist Church.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)