Navy Band Great Lakes Joins Royal Oak Memorial Day Parade

A much sought after military marching band joins the Royal Oak Memorial Day Parade for the first time. The Navy Band Great Lakes, an official band of the U.S. Navy for 101 years, will march down Main Street on May 28.

Royal Oak Memorial Day Parade Committee Co-Chairs Carol Hennessey and Carlo Ginotti made the announcement at the City Commission meeting Monday.

“It’s going to be a wonderful event,” Ginotti said, telling commissioners it’s the first time the band has performed in this area. “We’re very excited about it. It’s going to add to the parade.”

Royal Oak residents will have an opportunity to meet with Navy band members at the Royal Oak Historical Society’s Pancake Breakfast before the start of the parade at the farmers market and another chance to hear the band perform at the Memorial Day service at the Veteran's Monument located between  and the  immediately following the parade. 

will pay for expenses for the band.

“We’re very excited to have the Navy Band as well as the support of Suburban GMC,” Ginotti said.

If you go

When: May 28

Where: Meet the band at Royal Oak Historical Society’s Pancake Breakfast at the before the parade. Breakfast begins at 7 a.m.

The Royal Oak Memorial Day Parade begins at 9 a.m. at the intersection of Main Street and Interstate 696. The parade marches north down Main Street and ends at the Veteran's Monument located between and the