Details emerge on Lakeside’s Memorial Day parade

“I know it’s going to be a good parade,” said organizer Dick McClure. “The people of Lakeside and of Henrico County deserve something like this.”

McClure, 72, recalls when Richmond had a Memorial Day parade, which ended sometime in the 1950s. Another city Memorial Day parade started in 1987 but ended after five years.

McClure, a retired Henrico fire captain and past president of the Lakeside Business Association, says he loves a parade. He presided over the Autumn Harvest Parade for 19 years until it was turned over to the Virginia Farm Bureau in 2002. He also builds parade floats.

He initially approached Brookland District Supervisor Richard W. Glover about bringing back a St. Patrick’s Day parade to Henrico. That led to the idea of having a Memorial Day parade down Lakeside Avenue, which has been enhanced over the past 12 years, Glover said.

“There was a great deal of pride in Lakeside Avenue, and there still is,” Glover said. “I think a parade would add to it.”

In addition to the county, which plans to contribute $25,000, the event has support from the Lakeside Volunteer Rescue Squad.

McClure hopes at least 60 units will participate in the 2-mile procession, which will be led by an Army band and color guard.