Paw Paw to host 66th Annual William H. Norton Memorial Day Parade this Saturday, May 23

Once again, the Paw Paw Parade Committee has organized and will host Morgan County’s largest Memorial Day event, to be held this Saturday, May 23.

The 66^th Annual William H. Norton Memorial Day Parade will begin at 1 p.m. and proceed through town. Prior to the parade, several memorial events are planned in town.

Beginning on Saturday morning at 9 a.m., Paw Paw will also host the 19th Annual Memorial Day Weekend Car, Truck and Tractor Show at Paw Paw Schools, located at 60 Pirate Circle. The show continues until 3 p.m. and includes food and craft vendors on site. Awards will be given for the top 30 cars and trucks, the top 5 tractors and Best in Show and Longest Distance entries. Registration for vehicles is on the day of the show. Spectators can enjoy the show for free.

From 10 a.m. to noon, there will be free kids’ activities at the car show, to include a face painter, balloon artist, and art activities.

At 10 a.m. the Tuscarora High School Jazz Ensemble , directed by Kenzie Durgin, will perform in front of Paw Paw High School.

Memorial & veterans events

At 10 a.m. on Saturday, the Tri-State Honor Guard and Paw Paw American Legion will lead a wreath-laying ceremony at Woodrow Union Church Cemetery, located out of town at 3336 Paw Paw Road.

Following that in town, at 11 a.m. will be a memorial service at the Veterans’ Monument at Paw Paw Town Square, located at the intersection of Winchester Street and Henry W. Miller Highway. This event is hosted by the Tri-State Honor Guard and Paw Paw American Legion

The Memorial Day parade begins at 1 p.m. with Grand Marshal Adam Carder.

Immediately following the parade, an awards ceremony will be held at Paw Paw Schools to recognize outstanding parade entries.

Carder is Grand Marshal

Adam Carder is a lifelong resident of Paw, West Virginia, and a 2002 graduate of Paw Paw High School, home of the Pirates. He enlisted in the West Virginia Air National Guard in 2006, serving as a firefighter with the 167th Airlift Wing in Martinsburg, WV. After 16 years, Adam transitioned to become an Air Force medic, currently holding the rank of Master Sergeant and continuing his dedicated service to this day.

“My career in the Air Force has given me the opportunity to travel and deploy, and to really appreciate how blessed the USA is,” Carder said. His service has not only shaped his professional life but deepened his appreciation for the freedoms and blessings that come with being an American.

In addition to his military career, Carder is a lifetime member of the Paw Paw Volunteer Fire Company, where he has held leadership positions, including Captain and Assistant Chief. He also serves as a Board Member of Woodrow Union Church and has coached middle and high school basketball at Paw Paw Schools for the past six seasons. Carder is also a member of the Harley Bohrer American Legion Post #128 located in Paw Paw.

Outside of his service, Carder enjoys spending time with his wife, Megan, and their children, Taylor, Jennings, Quinn, Briar, and Wren. He works on the family farm he grew up on and enjoys spontaneous adventures with Megan.

As Adam says, “Paw Paw is my home. It’s a small rural place, not for everyone, but neither is West Virginia. One of the many small towns that make WV great.” His life is guided by the principles of God, family, service, and community.