Top Memorial Day Parades and Events in Rockford

Memorial Day Events in the Rockford Region

As Memorial Day approaches, communities across the stateline are preparing to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Below is a detailed list of events planned in the Rockford region for Monday, May 25.

Winnebago County

Rockford Memorial Day Parade

The 2026 Memorial Day Parade will begin at 9 a.m. at Seventh Street and Sixth Avenue. The parade will proceed north on Seventh Street to E. State Street, then west on E. State to Wyman Street, and continue north on Wyman Street to end at Veterans Memorial Hall, located at 211 N. Main Street. A ceremony honoring veterans will follow the parade. Road closures will start at 7 a.m., and detour routes will be provided. Vehicles parked along the parade route will be towed off-site.

Roscoe Memorial Day Parade

The parade starts at 10 a.m. at Village Hall on Main Street. It will travel north on Main Street to Harrison Street, then turn east on Harrison Street and continue into Roscoe Cemetery, located at 5550 Harrison Street. The Roscoe VFW will hold a memorial ceremony at the cemetery to honor Roscoe’s fallen heroes. All are welcome. Road closures will begin at 9 a.m.

156th Pecatonica Memorial Day Parade

This parade, the second-longest running in Illinois and the largest in Northern Illinois, has a longer route this year. The parade steps off at 2 p.m. sharp at the intersection of John Street and Third Street. It will travel down Third Street, then turn right and go down Main Street, ending at Seventh Street.

United Veterans Memorial Day Parade in South Beloit

The parade begins at 9 a.m., heading north on Blackhawk Blvd. in South Beloit to State Street in Beloit. It then heads east on Grand Avenue and ends before Horace White Park.

Stephenson County

Cedarville Memorial Day Parade

The parade starts at 10 a.m. on Mill Street and Second Street. It will travel to the bridge, then to the Cedarville Cemetery on W. Red Oak Road. A memorial service will be held at the cemetery after the parade. Following the program, a picnic lunch will be held indoors at the Cedarville Museum, located at 450 Second Street.

Freeport Memorial Day Parade

From 10 to 11 a.m., the parade will travel through downtown Freeport. Families are encouraged to bring flags to remember and show appreciation for those who gave their lives.

DeKalb County

2026 Mayor’s Memorial Day Breakfast

Doors will open at 6:15 a.m. at the DeKalb Elks Lodge, located at 209 S. Annie Glidden Road, for the Mayors’ Memorial Day Breakfast. Meals and coffee will be served until 7 a.m., followed by a United Prayer and short program. The cost is $10 to $15.

DeKalb Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade

At 8 a.m., the DeKalb Clock Memorial Day Ceremony will take place in Memorial Park, located at 101 E. Lincoln Highway. The parade will start at 9 a.m., beginning westbound down Locust Street, the city’s honorary Veterans Way, and passing the DeKalb Veterans Memorial Mural. It will then proceed north on Linden Place to the Ellwood House.

Memorial Day Celebration at Ellwood House

The Memorial Day program begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Ellwood House lawn, followed by free first-floor tours of the Ellwood Mansion, located at 420 Linden Place in DeKalb. The program will include remarks by DeKalb officials and local veterans, as well as tributes to fallen service members.

Sycamore Memorial Day Parade

From 10:30 to 11 a.m., join the Sycamore Veterans Home Association for the annual Memorial Day Parade in downtown Sycamore. The route starts on California Street, goes left on Elm Street, right on Somonauk Street, right on Charles Street to Elmwood Cemetery. A ceremony will be held at the cemetery after the parade.

Ogle County

Oregon Memorial Day Celebration

Starting at noon, VFW Post 8739 will host its annual family fun event with food trucks, bounce house, vendors, and more at 1310 W. Washington Street.

Rochelle Memorial Day Parade

At 10 a.m., the parade will start on Lincoln Highway and turn right onto Lincoln Avenue, heading to Ninth Street. It will then turn north on Eighth Avenue and head to Lawnridge Cemetery, located at 1701 8th Avenue. A ceremony will be held at the cemetery following the parade to honor our fallen heroes.