An annual tradition of music and remembrance will commence this Saturday in Coupeville.

Beginning at 11 a.m. May 28, the town will celebrate Memorial Day with a parade down Front Street, ending with a short remembrance service at Town Park.

This year’s parade grand marshal will be Gerald “Jug” Bernhardt, a retired Naval Air Station Whidbey Island fighter pilot who served in Vietnam. Retired Air Force Major General Trish Rose and Coupeville Mayor Molly Hughes will speak at the remembrance service.

The service will be followed by a musical salute to the armed services by the Whidbey Island All Star Band. The town will also hold a picnic with free hot dogs and ice cream.

As of Tuesday afternoon, there were 28 entrants in the parade, including firefighters, animals, military personnel and community members, according to Coupeville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lynda Eccles. Several active duty Navy personnel will also be volunteering at the parade.

“We really appreciate their support,” she said.

According to Eccles, Coupeville’s is one of the oldest Memorial Day parades in western Washington.