LINCOLN - Memorial Day Parade organizer Dave Sale is putting out a call for veterans from around the region to join this year's grand marshal, Vietnam veteran Larry Goucher, as he leads the parade up Smithfield Avenue this year.

Marching to the theme of "Treasure Our Freedom," participants in the five-division parade on May 26 will honor of the nation's veterans as up to 10,000 residents from around the region line up to watch.

Civic organizations are invited to create floats or form marching contingents to join the celebration. Call Sale at 333-8424 for details.

Sale said float entries will be accepted until 10 a.m. the day of the parade. Anyone interested must be at the parade assembly area at Smithfield and Reservoir avenues.

All floats will be in competition for the William Horlbogen Memorial Float Award, which carries a $100 prize.

The coveted cup was won last year by the Katz Dance Studio of Lincoln, which must surrender it this year, unless it is successful again.

The parade steps off at 11 a.m., and will disband at the American Legion Post No. 33 at 40 Chapel Street where hot dogs, donated by Twin River, will be cooked up and served.

All the favorites will be returning, Sale says, including Shriners, Tony the Dancing Cop, bands, and antique cars.

Current politicians are invited to march and Sale is expecting a full contingent of Town Council and School Committee members along with Town Administrator T. Joseph Almond. On the state level, Attorney General Patrick Lynch has indicated he'll be there.

At 1 p.m., nearby North Providence is holding its first Memorial Day parade in 30 years. Mayor Charles Lombardi is reviving the tradition but scheduled it in the afternoon to avoid competing with Lincoln's. That parade route will take marchers from North Providence High School on Mineral Spring Avenue, left onto Douglas Avenue and then disband at Notte park for an afternoon of music and food.