How to Commemorate Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a time of remembrance in the United States when we pay tribute to our servicemen and women. Like many others, Cash Store recognizes the significance of this holiday. Without our military, we would not have the freedoms we all enjoy on a daily basis in the United States. To help you commemorate this day, we’ve compiled a list of special events and remembrances in the cities and states where we operate. Memorial Day weekend also marks the beginning of summer in the United States, so various cities are having festivals and other events to mark the occasion. We hope you have a safe Memorial Day weekend.

Illinois

Chicago

Annual Memorial Day Parade: Chicago presents one of the biggest Memorial Day parades in the country. The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. with a wreath-laying ceremony at Daley Plaza. The parade then winds its way from State Street to Van Buren Street.  Admission is free.

Herrin

Herrin Festa Italiana: Voted Best Festival in Illinois, Herrin Festa Italiana celebrates the Italian heritage in Herrin during Memorial Day weekend. The event includes Italian food, contests, fine arts exhibits and more. The event’s Midway includes a carnival and entry booths. Admission into the Midway is free. Armbands for the carnival rides are $20.  Concerts are also presented each day of the festival. Concert admission ranges from $20 to $25 each day. Herrin Festa Italiana runs from May 19 to 26.

Idaho

Boise

Memorial Day Celebration:  The annual Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. May 26 at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. The Idaho National Guard 25th Army Band will make an appearance. The Boise Police Pipes and Drums will play the bagpipes. There will be both rifle and cannon salutes and a flyover. Admission is free.

Meridian

Rock of Honor Memorial Day event:  A Memorial Day ceremony will be held at the Rock of Honor at Julius M. Kleiner Park. Speakers will be on hand, as well as the Meridian Firefighters Pipes and Drums. The main event is the reading of the names of the 62 Meridian residents who have fallen in combat. The Rock of Honor was created to pay tribute to fallen residents.

Coolin

Priest Lake Spring Festival & Coolin Parade:  This festival features bake sales, arts and crafts, shopping, and a kids’ carnival on May 24 and May 25. The Coolin Parade will be held at noon on May 24. Admission is free.

Pocatello

Idaho Field of Heroes Memorial: The Field of Heroes Memorial presents a weekend of remembrance in honor of every fallen service member in Iraq and Afghanistan. The remembrance begins with opening ceremonies on Friday, May 23 at Century High School and ends on May 26. Events include a performance by the 25th Army Band Woodwind Battalion at 2 p.m. May 24 at the school and a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. May 25.

Michigan

Bay City

USS Edson Memorial Day Ceremony:  The USS Edson at the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum will have a ceremony on Memorial Day to pay tribute to deceased soldiers. The USS Edson is a decommissioned naval destroyer located at the museum.

Frankenmuth

Frankenmuth Bark, Bike & Balloons Fireworks: During Memorial Day weekend on May 24-25, the city will celebrate the start of summer with a Dog Bowl, bicycle race, fireworks and hot air balloons. Visit the city of Frankenmuth website for more information about the various events.

Rochester

Greater Rochester Heritage Days: This annual community festival will include musical entertainment, car show, games and activities from May 24-25 at Rochester Municipal Park. Admission is free.

Royal Oak

Honor Our Flag Parade:  The Memorial Day parade begins at 9 a.m. May 26 near Main Street and Harrison in the city of Royal Oak. Following the parade, there will be a post-parade Memorial Service at the Royal Oak Veteran's Memorial. Admission is free.

Texas

Bandera

Cowboy Capital Rodeo Association Pro Rodeo: This Memorial Day weekend event includes musical performances, bull riding, barrel racing, and a BBQ Cook-Off at Mansfield Park. The Cowboy Capital Rodeo Association Pro Rodeo will be held May 23 to 25.

Dallas

Memorial Day Ceremony:  The annual Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. May 26 at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. The event includes a 21-cannon salute. Admission is free.

Wisconsin

Green Bay

Memorial Day - A Day of Remembrance: Heritage Hill State Historical Park will honor past and present members of the United States Armed Forces from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on May 26. The event includes speeches, poems, vignettes, and a 21 gun salute. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of Camp Smith. Admission is free to the service. There will be paid admission for the rest of the activities. Veterans will be admitted for free. Regular admission is $9 for adults.

Monona

Monona Memorial Day Parade: The annual parade will kick off at 10 a.m. May 26. The parade route will proceed from 4400 Monona Drive south and west onto Owen road. The parade ends at the Village Lanes parking lot. Admission is free.

Do you have a favorite Memorial Day event? Leave a comment and tell us what makes it your favorite!