In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no parade held last year. With the world slowly working to open itself back up, the general consensus for both spectators and parade participants was excitement.

The parade began at 11 a.m. and traveled through town from Panama Central School to the Panama Cemetery. It was led by Boy Scout Troop 141 from Ashville. Floats and other parade participants ranged from fire and rescue trucks and ambulances to the local Girl Scouts and Chautauqua County 4-H dairy and dog programs.

The parade was also made up of horse-drawn wagons, antique cars and tractors, along with the Panama Central School Drill Team.

Chautauqua County Dairy Princess, Lyndee Nagel, participated in the event with her court and expressed her excitement at being there. “We’re just excited to get to go and that we got to do something,” she said.

Pictured are scenes of Monday’s Memorial Day parade in Panama, which was filled with fire trucks, dairy princesses and Chautauqua County 4-H. P-J photos by Sara Holthouse

For the Chautauqua County 4-H Dog Program, being able to be in the parade meant getting their dogs out to an event — something they have struggled to do with the Chautauqua County Fair being canceled two years in a row. “We’re excited and nervous,” said Roxanne Young, leader of the Chautauqua County 4-H Dog Program. “We have about five or six dogs here today and it’s a new experience for most of them so we’ll see how they do.”

Molly Cummings, whose family rode a decorated tractor in the parade, agreed with both Nagel and Young about being excited to be there, adding that it was a step towards getting back to normal. “We’re excited,” Cummings said. “It really does feel like the world is starting to go back to normal, and this is a way that the Panama community can come out and show support.”

Even with COVID-19 precautions, the Panama Memorial Day parade still managed to go down in typical parade fashion, complete with the throwing of candy and an overall enjoyable atmosphere.