CRANBURY: Parade led by Lions

By David Kilby, Staff Writer
   CRANBURY — The annual Cranbury Memorial Day parade, organized by the Cranbury Lions Club, will be held Monday.
   The parade will start at 1 p.m. on South Main Street and Station Road and end at Memorial Park next to the Cranbury firehouse.
   Following the parade, a brief memorial service will be held at Memorial Park.
   Committeeman David Cook has been the parade director for the past five years.
   He said the parade will feature local veterans, a marching band, a pipe and drum band, a polka band, Civil War re-enactors, decorated bicycles, antique cars, floats, firefighting and first aid equipment and a number of marching groups.
   Children also will have a chance to compete in a decorated bicycle, tricycle and wagon contest during the parade.
   The Cranbury Police Department will handle all security, Mr. Cook said.
   ”It’s not about making a circus about it,” he said. “We make sure the point of Memorial Day isn’t just about picnics, cookouts and pool parties. It’s about honoring our veterans who have fallen in war, veterans living and past. We’re quite aware of that.”
   Bob Virgabamo, former president of the Lions Club, said the club has been hosting the ceremony after the parade for at least 40 years.
   He also said Sen. Linda Greenstein will be at the ceremony.
   ”She will probably say a few words, but not too many words because we don’t want any political speeches,” he said.
   At the beginning of the ceremony, the Lions Club spring raffle will be drawn. The 50-50 benefits many organizations in town such as the Cranbury Arts Council and Cranbury School.
   Small cash prizes for the winners of the bicycle, tricycle and wagon contest also will be given at the ceremony.
   First Presbyterian Church Assistant Pastor Joanne Petto will give an invocation at the ceremony, and Mayor Win Cody will give a speech as well.