Sam Roberts selected as grand marshal for Alton’s May 25 Memorial Day Parade

Sam Roberts

The Alton Memorial Day Parade Committee, comprised of members from the East End Improvement Association, Alton Area Optimist Club and RiverBend Growth Association, recently announced the selection of Sam Roberts as grand marshal for this year’s Memorial Day Parade.

The Parade will step off at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 25, 2026, from Alton Middle School.

The three organizations further sponsor this 159th Parade, the oldest continuously staged parade in the United States since its beginning in 1968.

Roberts is a 1958 graduate of Marquette Catholic High School in Alton who served his country with a 30-year career in the United States Marine Corps. He retired from the Marine Corps Forces Reserve in 1991 with the ran of Sergeant Major.

Roberts has been the owner of Roberts Motors in Alton since 1967. He and his wife Sharon, along with Roberts Motors, are substantial supporters of Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey and are committed to area philanthropic and charitable causes in the communities the college serves.

Alton Memorial Day Parade Chairman Greg Erler said, “The Committee unanimously and enthusiastically wanted to honor Sam for his service to our country and his unwavering commitment to our community, with the honor of leading this year’s Parade.”

For more information, contact Erler at (618) 900-5599, Steve Schwartz at (618) 972-8329 or Roberts at (618) 466-7220.