A Relished Surprise: Pecatonica’s Annual Memorial Day Parade Is Getting a Tasty Twist

Something frankly amazing is rolling into Pecatonica's annual Memorial Day Parade this year, and the sizzling surprise is definitely something you won't want to miss.

Memorial Day in Pecatonica, Illinois

My family moved to Pecatonica nearly 4 years ago, but for over 15 years before that I  spent all my Memorial Days there for one big reason, the village's annual Memorial Day Parade.

In case you didn't know, this Memorial Day Parade is not only a big deal for the village of Pecatonica, but it is also the longest parade n Northern Illinois, and the second largest parade in the entire state!

Some of my favorite things about the Pecatonica Memorial Parade are:

• The plane flyover that usually starts it.
• The HUGE American flag they started flying over Main Street for the blade a few years ago.
• The amount of participants, and all the candy and goodies they throw out to kids. (I really love when people thrown out popsicles, it's usually pretty hot!)
• The Shriner cars and the horses at the end.

Just when I though Pecatonica's Memorial Day Parade couldn't surprise me anymore, the committee goes and posts an announcement that says:

Hold on to your buns because we are grilling up something juicy for ya! Our next new participant is such big dog in the industry that you might think we are full of bologna, but we promise this is 100% kosher!

This announcement is so exciting, we can’t just tell you, we need to relish for a little bit longer ~ so, let's hear your guesses down below!!

This participant will also be available for meat and greets before and after the parade so get your cameras ready, we promise you won't want to miss this!!!

I mean, tell us it's the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile without telling us it's the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile, right?!? Let's try to confirm it anyway.

As I write this, the Weinermobile's May 2025 schedule doesn't show a stop in Pecatonica, Illinois on May 26, but...it does show this...

If you don't want to miss seeing the Weinermobile, here's all the info you need to know about the 155th Pecatonica Memorial Day Parade:

• When: Monday, May 26, 2025 at 2 p.m. (Make sure to get there early to claim a place to sit!)
• Where: Main Street in Downtown Pecatonica, Illinois (parade starts at 10th street and ends at 3rd St.)
• What to Bring: A big bag for collecting candy, your best patriotic gear, and your party pants!

And since we're on the subject of summer fun, here are more places you should put on your radar...