Events announced for Shenandoah's 25th annual Memorial Festival

Since 2006, Mayor Clinton Lucas has honored a Virginia soldier who passed away while on active duty during the annual Memorial Service. Naval Aircrewman Rescue Swimmer AWS1 James Buriak from Salem, Va. is this years’ honoree.

~ Provided by Town of Shenandoah

SHENANDOAH — The Shenandoah Heritage Center and the Town of Shenandoah have announced the events for this weekend’s 25th annual Memorial Festival. With new activities planned and recent years being interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s festivities are touted to be the best ever.

On Friday, May 27, the Memorial Festival kicks off with the First Street Cruz-In from 6 to 9 p.m. The Cruz-In, sponsored by Jr’s Tire Service, welcomes all makes and models of vehicles. There are no registration fees. Those who do register, are eligible for cash and door prizes. Food at the Cruz-In will be provided by the Twirling Medallion Majorette and Drum Corp and by The Sweet Spot Dessert Truck.

Also, on Friday evening, join Boy Scout Troop 8 at the Flag Retirement Ceremony. Troop 8 will demonstrate how to properly dispose of a worn flag. The ceremony will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Veterans Park (205 Virginia Ave.).

On Saturday, May 28, the Memorial Service at the Shenandoah VFW, Post 8613 Avis O. Comer (1103 Varina Ave.) led by Mayor Clinton Lucas, Jr. starts at 10 a.m. Since 2006, Mayor Lucas has honored a Virginia soldier who passed away while on active duty. Naval Aircrewman Rescue Swimmer AWS1 James Buriak from Salem, Va. is this years’ honoree. AWS1 Buriak’s family will be present at the Memorial Service. His family started a foundation in honor of AWS1 Buriak, to learn more about the foundation visit www.theaws1jamesburiakfoundation.org.

At 1 p.m., a new event for the Memorial Festival, the Children’s Parade will commence at the Shenandoah Landing & River Park (315 Morrison Rd.). This is event is sponsored by the Shenandoah River Chapter of the DAR. Children are encouraged to dress in their most patriotic attire and can walk or “ride” on the paved trail at the Shenandoah Landing & River Park. Bicycles, wagons, and strollers are also encouraged to be decorated for the Children’s Parade. After the Children’s Parade, Page County Public Schools will provide light refreshment for children. The Page County Sherriff’s Department will be there to offer child finger printing services. The Town of Shenandoah Police Department will also be in attendance with the Town’s K-9, and the Town of Shenandoah Volunteer Fire Department will have a fire truck.

Another new event, the Memorial Walk, starts at 2 p.m. at Big Gem Park (736 Fourth St.). The Memorial Walk will take place on the 1-mile Clinton Lucas Jr. loop trail. Along the trail, there will be signs posted in memoriam of the fallen Virginia soldiers honored since 2006 at past Memorial Services. Each sign has a picture, rank, branch of service, birth and death date, and Virginia hometown of the past honorees. There are 24 in total. The trail is rocky and uneven, attendees should wear sturdy shoes.

After a two year absence, the Parade is back! The Parade will commence at 4 p.m. David T. Shuler SMSgt, USAF, Ret. is this year’s Grand Marshal. The Parade will start on Route 340 headed South to the stop light at Route 340 and Maryland Avenue, turn right onto Maryland Avenue, then right onto First Street, and turn right on Virginia Avenue to head back to Route 340. Anyone interested in registering for the parade should call Brenda Haggett (540) 742-4081 or e-mail Brenda at efgva@yahoo.com.

The Car Show will begin at 6 p.m. on First Street. Sponsored by Homer’s Automotive, J&M Auto Parts, May’s Recycling, and Shenandoah Moose Lodge #2176, the Car Show has no registration fees. All makes, models, years of vehicles are welcome. All registered vehicles are eligible for cash and door prizes. Food will be provided by the Shenandoah Lions Club and The Sweet Spot Dessert Truck.

Other events happening that weekend in Shenandoah include:

• A steamed shrimp sale starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 27 at the Shenandoah Moose Lodge #2176 (1675 US Hwy 340 S),

• Followed by a karaoke night at the Moose Lodge featuring Deep Creek Karaoke from 7 to 11 p.m. on Friday night.

• On Saturday, May 29 the Shenandoah Pentecostal Holiness Church (300 Shenandoah Ave.) will have a Yard and Bake Sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• The Shenandoah Community Library (418 S Third St.) will have a book sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• The Shenandoah Fire Volunteer Fire Department (201 Pennsylvania Ave.) will have a steamed shrimp takeout meal fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information on Shenandoah’s Memorial Festival events,

please contact Town Clerk Lora Jenkins (540) 652-8164 or Nancy Karnes (540) 742-1141.

•••

RELATED ARTICLES

Railroad Museum/Welcome Center taking shape and other news from Shenandoah

Events announced for Memorial Day weekend and other news from Shenandoah