NATCHEZ — It has been more than 75 years, since the annual Memorial Day parade from Vidalia to Natchez didn’t include a walk across the Mississippi River Bridge.

Due to construction on the westbound span, motorized trolleys will carry participants from Vidalia to the Natchez Visitors Center, where the march to the Natchez National Cemetery will begin. Before the westbound was built in 1940, the 152-year-old tradition included a trip across the Mississippi River by ferry.

Today, Memorial Day festivities will begin with a flag-placing service beginning at 8 a.m. at the Natchez National Cemetery.

“We invite our Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and neighbors and friends to come and help with setting out the flags,” said Laura Williams Jackson, who served on the organizing committee for Memorial Day services.

On Monday, Memorial Day services will begin at 8 a.m. at Zion Baptist Church in Vidalia.

From there, marchers will parade to the foot of the Mississippi River Bridge.

Instead of crossing the bridge by foot, however, participants will go to the old Vidalia Courthouse, where a trolley will take them across the bridge to the Natchez Visitors Center.

The march from the visitor’s center begins at 9:45 a.m., and will end at the Natchez National Cemetery, where the ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m.

Water stations for parade participants will be available at Natchez Visitors Center, Natchez Convention Center, Natchez Little Theatre and at the Natchez National Cemetery.

“We’re looking forward to a good turnout and giving our veterans the respect they deserve,” said National Cemetery Assistant Director Skip Solomon. “This is really all about them.”

Parking will not be available at the cemetery, Solomon said, to keep vehicles from obstructing the road.

“It’s a safety risk,” Solomon said. “The police department doesn’t want anyone parking on cemetery road.”

For those who are unable to walk to the cemetery, a trolley will also be taking people from the visitor’s center, Natchez Little Theatre and the old Charity Hospital site to the cemetery.

“The America we know today would not be the same were it not for the men and women we honor on Memorial Day,” Solomon said. “Through their spirit, adherence to duty, honor and their sacrifice, our veterans paid for and delivered not only our freedom and security, but also the freedom for millions of our friends and allies around the world.”