This weekend: Memorial Day parades and events for the entire family
Fun family activities, events and parades are great ways to teach children the significance of Memorial Day.
Tammy Mayrend | Contributor
Since my children are young though, one of the best ways to do that is through fun family activities and events like parades. This Memorial Day weekend has lots of family fun throughout Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Saline and Ypsilanti. Following is a list of area events that observe Memorial Day and our nation’s heroes, the servicemen and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives while serving in the armed forces.
Ann Arbor
From Friday to Monday, the VFW Graf-O’Hara Post 423 (3230 S. Wagner Road, Lodi Township) will observe Memorial Day by having an open house and display of their military museum. Families can understand a deeper meaning of Memorial Day and the service-persons throughout history by viewing military uniforms dating from WWI, and various medals, weapons, and patches from many branches of the armed forces. This event is open to the public and donations are accepted.
On Sunday, the 26th Annual Memorial Day Observance begins at 2 p.m. (2521 Glazier Way) with a flag ceremony, color and honor guards, 21-gun salute, scouting volunteers, and notable speakers. Bring a lawn chair. The event will honor veterans rain or shine.
Chelsea
The Veterans For Peace Chapter 93 will be displaying its “Arlington Michigan” display at Pierce Park on South Main Street, just north of Old US Highway 12. from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Monday. Crosses displayed for each Michigan soldier killed in Iraq or Afghanistan will honor our fallen heros.
Dexter
The Dexter American Legion annual Memorial Day parade begins at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day (Main Street in downtown Dexter).
Saline
The Saline Memorial Day parade begins at 10 a.m. Monday at the fire station on Harris Street at Michigan Avenue. The parade goes to Monroe Street, then to the Oakwood Cemetery. After the proceedings, a brief brick dedication will take place across the street from the cemetery at the American Legion post.
Ypsilanti
At 2 p.m. Saturday, the Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra will perform this annual pops concert (Riverside Park, Ypsilanti). Local vendors will have food and beverages for sale. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets!
On Memorial Day, The Yankee Air Museum will honor veterans with an all-day Memorial Day observance beginning at 8 a.m. The day includes a pancake breakfast, aircraft fly-overs, a blood drive, displays of aircraft, hot dog lunch, simulators and special activities for kids.
Ypsilanti has an annual Memorial Day Parade that begins at 9 a.m. at North Huron Street and Michigan Avenue, to Cross Street, North River Street, and then Highland Cemetery for a ceremony. Includes veterans, scouts, marching bands, Gold Star Mothers, and a 21-gun salute.
On Memorial Day at the Washtenaw County Vietnam Veterans Memorial (at the Ypsilanti Township Civic Center, 7200 Huron River Drive) hosts a memorial at 1 p.m. recognizing military heroes and laying of flowers at the memorial.
Tammy Mayrend is a search marketing professional and mother of two who blogs on low-cost local activities, events, and Ann Arbor area freebies for families at annarbormom.com.
Comments
Tammy Mayrend
Fri, May 27, 2011 : 2:08 a.m.
Stephen - I looked for the information online for the Glacier Park event/parade but it didn't come up in searches. It was posted on my article last year though and I can certainly add it to the AnnArborMom.com blog as well to make sure that you get coverage. I'm all for free events, however I have to find them when searching! Thanks for the update and the added information.
Larry L. Vollink
Thu, May 26, 2011 : 10:25 p.m.
Paul -- The parade route for Ypsilanti has changed due to the road construction on Cross Street. At 9:00 a.m. Monday morning, the new route will begin at the corner of Michigan Ave and Huron Street and will proceed East on Michigan Ave. We will stop at the Mich Ave Bridge for a brief ceremony where veterans groups will drop the flowers in honor of those who have died at sea. Then, the procession will turn left on to River Street and march to the Highland Cemetery on the same street. There we will present wreaths at the Memorial in the center of the cemetery with a brief ceremony. All veterans groups will be present, state officials and five high school bands playing. My name is Chaplain Larry Vollink, Chairman of the Memorial Day Committee. Hope to see you there.
Tammy Mayrend
Thu, May 27, 2010 : 6:22 p.m.
Thanks Stephen, I appreciate the additional parade info - I typically only include parades and events that I can verify online with a search or ones I have been made aware of. I did have this neighborhood parade listed last year but did not find it easily in searching this year! Thank you for adding it to the post, it's important to keep neighborhood information up to date - I'd also encourage you, as a citizen reporter to add it to the neighborhoods section of the site!
Stephen Landes
Thu, May 27, 2010 : 4:44 p.m.
As I noted in a comment on the article from this morning: You should be aware that the Ann Arbor Memorial Day Parade is Monday, May 31st, at 10 AM. The parade begins at the intersection of Middleton and Frederick and winds along Frederick, Middleton, Bardstown, Windemere, and Barrister roads winding up in Glacier Park at Larchmont and Barrister. There will be a memorial ceremony in Glacier Park at the end of the parade. All are welcome. Why does Ann Arbor.com choose to ignore the home town parade? We've only been doing this for about 30 years, have always advised your predecessor company, the Ann Arbor news, of the local parade, and received very little coverage. Seems to me that wherever the police and fire departments and local political candidates show up is our "official" city parade. I think you would do a service to our community by at least acknowledging that our parade and memorial ceremony (where we will read the names of all Michigan service members who have given their lives in the past 12 months) exist.
Paul the Malcontent
Thu, May 27, 2010 : 2:52 p.m.
Need verify the Ypsilanti Memorial Parade route, as it traditionally has started on SOUTH Huron St. (in the city parking lot at Ferris St.).