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Checkpoint, Special Weekend Events
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Some special enforcement efforts will be taken on by the Escalon Police Department for the upcoming holiday weekend.

Escalon is teaming up in a concerted effort with law enforcement agencies across the state in the California AVOID program. This program, sponsored by the California Office of Traffic Safety, aims at deterring drunk driving and lowering the amount of people killed and injured in alcohol related collisions.

As part of the enforcement effort, local police will man a sobriety and drivers license checkpoint on Saturday, May 28.

"We'll be going from around 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. and this is a cooperative effort, we definitely will have Ripon officers here and possibly Manteca," Escalon Police Chief Jim Shaw said. "This is part of our holiday weekend emphasis, to keep the roads safe."

Officers will be checking for intoxicated drivers as well as those driving without a license.

The long holiday weekend, the unofficial start to summer, has not only the Memorial Day observance but also many graduations in the area, including Escalon.

"We have an Office of Traffic Safety grant that allows us to put extra officers on," Shaw said of operating the checkpoint.

The OTS grant was provided through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For more information about the checkpoint, contact Sgt. Dustin Brookshire at 691-7319.

The Saturday night checkpoint will come after a busy day in the community for Memorial Day, with the Escalon Historical Society sponsoring a celebration including a parade and car show in the downtown area on May 28. There will be a P51 fly by at 9 a.m. that will signal the start of events and the parade starts at 9:30 a.m.

The parade is slated to include several military vehicles, local service clubs, a World War II veteran combat flyer as grand marshal, antique ambulance and more.

"Just show up," said Harold Peterson of those wanting to participate in the parade. "There's no charge for being in it."

Peterson organized the event last year and, working with the Historical Society as sponsor this year, said he's hoping for another good turn out. Following the parade, there will be a car show in the Main Street Park, with a barbecue put on by the historical society.

On the actual Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, there is a service at Burwood Cemetery on River Road, which will begin at 11 a.m.

Flags will be placed on the graves of veterans at Burwood prior to the ceremony, so those attending will be able to tell where the veterans are buried. A firing squad, presentation of the colors, remarks from a guest speaker and the playing of Taps are all part of the event.

The ceremony is open to all and American flags will also fly that day along the city's Main Street to recognize veterans' service and sacrifice.