Whatcom Memorial Day Parade

May 27, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.

Bellingham's Veterans of Foreign Wars post carries banners representing local fallen service members May 27 during the Whatcom Memorial Day Parade. — Bellingham's Veterans of Foreign Wars post carries banners representing local fallen service members May 27 during the Whatcom Memorial Day Parade. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Spectators line Cornwall Avenue before the Whatcom Memorial Day Parade. — Spectators line Cornwall Avenue before the Whatcom Memorial Day Parade. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

The color guard leads the Memorial Day parade down Cornwall Avenue. — The color guard leads the Memorial Day parade down Cornwall Avenue. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Bellingham Mayor Seth Fleetwood waves to the crowd during a Memorial Day parade in May. — Bellingham Mayor Seth Fleetwood waves to the crowd during a Memorial Day parade in May. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu waves as he passes by. — Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu waves as he passes by. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo, the parade's grand marshal, drives an old Chevrolet. — Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo, the parade's grand marshal, drives an old Chevrolet. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Bellingham High School's marching band plays a song. — Bellingham High School's marching band plays a song. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Classic and not-so-old cars roll down Cornwall Avenue. — Classic and not-so-old cars roll down Cornwall Avenue. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Nile Shriners Chief Rabban Brent Arnold rips down Cornwall Avenue on a drift trike. — Nile Shriners Chief Rabban Brent Arnold rips down Cornwall Avenue on a drift trike. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

A pair of horses pull the Stremler Gravel float. — A pair of horses pull the Stremler Gravel float. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Color guard members of the All-Bellingham Middle School Band spin flags during their performance. — Color guard members of the All-Bellingham Middle School Band spin flags during their performance. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Dancing for Joy dancers perform a routine. — Dancing for Joy dancers perform a routine. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Members of the Skagit Latin Horses Association gallop by. — Members of the Skagit Latin Horses Association gallop by. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

The Squalicum High School marching band makes its way down Cornwall Avenue. — The Squalicum High School marching band makes its way down Cornwall Avenue. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Police officers observe the parade from atop a tactical operations center vehical. — Police officers observe the parade from atop a tactical operations center vehical. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

The 101st Whatcom Memorial Day Parade, which took over downtown Bellingham May 27, spanned along Cornwall Avenue between Alabama Street and East Champion Street. Onlookers cheered the procession on the clear, warm afternoon, honoring service members near and far.