It’s three months away, but preparations are in full swing for the 2011 Ironton-Lawrence County Memorial Day Parade. The parade — which is recognized as the longest continuously held Memorial Day parade in the nation — is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, May 30 in the streets of downtown Ironton.

Parade committee member Lou Pyles said work on the following year’s event begins shortly after the parade ends each year.

“You plan every year and strive to make it a better parade every year,” Pyles said. “They work very hard at it to make this great parade every year. It takes a lot of effort. We start working on it after the parade in May.”

The theme for the 143rd annual parade is “Saluting Our Defenders of Freedom.” The event typically draws more than 2,000 participants and more than 30,000 spectators.

The parade’s grand marshal this year is Angie Chamberlin. Parade commander is Rich Donohue. Both the grand marshal and the parade commander are chosen from within the parade committee. Honorary grand marshal, who is always someone with a military background, will be chosen in March, Pyles said.

So far the parade committee is sending out invitations to all of the organizations, businesses and schools that participated last year. Several high school bands have already signed up to participate again this year.

The committee is also working to arrange for two jets to fly over at the parade. The flyover usually signals the beginning of the parade, though last year it came about 20 minutes later than usual.

The process of applying for the jets through the Pentagon has gotten more complicated since 9-11, Pyles said.

“We always feel very lucky when we receive the ‘yes,’” she said. “It takes a lot of paperwork and a lot of forms to go through.”

Besides the parade, the committee is also preparing for Navy Night, which is scheduled for the Thursday before Memorial Day, and the veterans memorial service, which is scheduled for 2 p.m. the Sunday before the holiday.

“May will be here before you know it,” Pyles said. “We just try to do a really good job to put on a great parade for the ones who serve, and for those who have served and the ones that have paid the price for our freedom. We just try to honor them.”