JORDAN - There were Memorial Day parades all over the country Monday, but many would be hard pressed to compete with the Jordan Memorial Day Parade of Bands as far as music is concerned.

The parade certainly features its fair share of classic automobiles, floats, clowns and people passing out candy to children that line the streets.

Among them was Mike Dorty, of Sennett, who was riding along with his 9-year-old grandson, Jordan, as part of the Star Society Motorcycle Club.

“This was our first year,” Dorty said. “It was a lot of fun to be a part of. Jordan got to hand out candy; we had a really good time.”

But, as the name implies, Monday was certainly a parade of music.

From the Scottish Highlands to the sounds of New Orleans Dixieland jazz, there was a little bit of everything as the parade wound its way through the streets of Jordan.

A Memorial Day parade is certainly a tradition that no one can argue with, but for residents of Jordan, a parade just wouldn't be a parade without a lot of good music.

“I grew up right here on Main Street where the parade goes by every year,” Lilly Patrick said. “Growing up with it, you kind of expect it and you miss it when it isn't here. All the music and bands are a part of the parade tradition here for us.”

This year's lineup included music such as the traditional Scottish sounds of the Syracuse Kiltie Pipe Band and the Syracuse Scottish Pipe Band, the Caribbean-tinged sounds of the Island Band and the smooth jazz of the Soda Ash Six. Before the parade started, The Hit Men Brass Band, of Rochester, who were making their third parade appearance, started off the afternoon performing for the gathering crowds.

David Martin, director of the group, said they like to go the extra mile and make their performances something special.

Decked out in dark sunglasses and fedoras, reminiscent of the “Blues Brothers,” The Hit Men led the parade down Main Street, piping out tunes such as the theme from “Dragnet” and the “Blues Brothers Theme,” stopping to talk and joke with people along the way.

“We just want to do something unique,” Martin said. “I've been doing this since 1955 and I just thought it would be nice to have a unique approach and to give the people that come out to watch something extra to enjoy.”

Other groups such as the City of Syracuse Highland Pipe Band, have also made being a part of the Jordan parade a tradition.

Todd Denny, drum major of the group, said that he was making his second appearance and that the group has performed for the past several years.

“We love what they do here,” Denny said.

“There are a lot of great bands that we get to see and play with. I think they really do a wonderful job of putting this parade together.”

As the parade wound down, several of the Highland themed groups took to the streets to perform as one large ensemble, performing numbers such as “Amazing Grace”.

“I really like all the music,” Carrie-Jo Farrugia, of Jordan said. “All the bag pipes and everything are really cool, something different than I think a lot of parades have.”