RICHMOND — The Richmond Community Historical Society selected “50 Years of History in Our Community” as the theme for this year’s Memorial Day parade, set for 11 a.m. Monday.

The parade’s longtime sponsor and organizer, the historical society will mark a milestone year, as the organization will celebrate its golden anniversary, having been chartered on Jan. 20, 1975.

The parade will form at the former Richmond Elementary School and Hardy Field parking lot area, with participants asked to arrive by 10:30 a.m. for line-up. The parade will proceed through town, ending at Richmond Union Cemetery, where a brief ceremony will take place. Organizations interested in participating as a marching unit or as part of a float, can contact parade coordinator Wendy Byers at (740) 765-2042. Due to safety concerns and limited space, parking will not be available at Hardy Field.

Parents are advised participants must be dropped off by the Richmond Presbyterian Church, and to have someone at the top of the hill to escort children to their respective group. No through traffic will be permitted past the church, organizers said.

The traditional Memorial Day breakfast will preceed the parade, takiong place in the Richmond Methodist Church fellowship hall, located at 112 S. Sugar St.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 20 will organize the breakfast that includes scrambled eggs, sausage links, pancakes and beverages. Cost is by donation only, with proceeds to benefit troop projects and needs.

Members of the Richmond American Legion Post 740, Honored Seven, will lead the parade. Post Commander J.O. Henry will preside at the cemetery service as master of ceremonies. This year’s parade will include wreath carriers Savannah Long and Alexis Liggett. Edison High senior Zac Kuntz will deliver the Gettysburg Address.

The Festival in the Woods Committee will serve as parade grand marshals. The nonprofit “brings big joy to our small town,” according to President Kim Richardson.

“The namesake event, Festival in the Woods, originally was started by the Richmond Elementary School PTO during our own elementary school days,” Richardson explained. “Although it eventually faded away, the memories never did. Years later, a group of friends — bonded by those cherished experiences — began dreaming of reviving the festival to create new memories for future generations. In 2018, that dream became a reality when the group officially formed and brought the Festival in the Woods back to life.”

The group’s annual offerings have grown to include: The Brew and Food Truck Festival, featuring 10 local food trucks, craft beer and live music at Richmond Park each summer, with this year’s event is set to take place on July 19; Movies in the Park, a free, family-friendly film series shown on a giant inflatable screen underneath the stars; Christmas at the Park, a magical holiday light display that brightens the season for visitors of all ages; Santa at the Park, where Santa gives every child who visits a free book; and Festival in the Woods in October, the group’s signature event with more than 80 vendors, live entertainment and warm apple cider, celebrating community spirit every fall.

“Each event is built around family-friendly fun and a shared goal of bringing people together,” Richardson continued. “We’re proud to give back to the town that helped shape us and to see the smiles of those who attend our events.”

Army veteran David J. DiCicco Jr., a member of the Richmond American Legion who served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team before being honorably discharged in 2013 due to injury, will be the keynote speaker. DiCicco served in the Army for five years, following in his parents’ footsteps. He spent time in one of Afghanistan’s more active provinces during Operation Enduring Freedom.

“After Officer Candidate School didn’t pan out, DiCicco took a contract with the Army and shipped off in 2008, a month after graduating from college,” the article reads. “He underwent basic training, with his sister doing the same a year later, and he progressed through infantry training before jumping into Airborne school.”

The article noted he was stationed in Italy and attached to the Second Battalion 503rd Infantry Regiment and was part of HHC Company. He was later deployed to the Kunar Province in Eastern Afghanistan, one of the country’s more active areas during that time. His platoon would travel with the battalion’s commander between meetings, at bases and with local politicians. During one particular night jump in 2011, DiCicco parachuted in the dark, not realizing how far he was from the ground, fracturing his leg upon landing. The fall broke one leg; however, 10 years later he discovered his spine had been fractured, too. He eventually recovered, but chose not to take a driver’s position for a sergeant major in Afghanistan.

“DiCicco stayed back and trained soldiers who were preparing to deploy. Part of the rear detachment, he spent the last two years of his service teaching hand-to-hand combat to everyone from soldiers to hospital personnel,” the article concluded.

The historical society will also host its annual Quaker Day fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 20 in the area of the Crew House Museum, located at 34 W. Main St.

The group oversees the museum, which offers a variety of Richmond memorabilia and Jefferson Union High School memorabilia. The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday.

John Jones serves as the group’s president, Marge Andres, vice president; Sandy Judy, secretary; and Wendy Byers, treasurer. Their next meeting will be at 7 p.m. today at the Crew House Museum. Anyone is welcome to join.