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Memorial Day Weekend Events
by Rona Rona,posted May 25 2012 10:54AM
Hotwire.com came out with the top destinations to commemorate Memorial Day. See the locations and the cost per night at local hotels.
Top 10 Destinations To Commemorate Memorial Day
Hotwire.com has announced the top 10 destinations to honor military heroes over Memorial Day weekend. Many tend to utilize this holiday to add another getaway to their travel schedule, but travelers should also consider using this time to observe the true meaning of Memorial Day. These locales not only have the appeal of the big city or warm beaches, but theyÂ’re also home to some of our military’s most prominent historical sites. The holiday was originally created after the Civil War to honor the fallen Union soldiers and over the last century the meaning has evolved to commemorate all American soldiers who served our country.
Destinations Memorial/Site Avg. Hotwire Hotel Price/Night 1. Washington DC WWII Memorial $95 2. Honolulu, HI USS Arizona Memorial – Pearl Harbor $128 3. San Diego, CA USS Midway Museum $89 4. New York, NY 9/11 Memorial $175 5. Gettysburg, PA Battle Field at Gettysburg $88 6. Arlington, VA Arlington National Cemetery $95 7. Boston, MA Granary Burying Ground $143 8. Seattle, WA Washington Memorial Park $93 9. Phoenix, AZ Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum $67 10.Long Beach, CA Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier $91
On Memorial Day:
May 28, 2012
7:00 am
to
10:00 am
The Rotary Club of Martinsburg will host their 3rd annual Pancakes 4 PolioPlus Breakfast at War Memorial Park. Breakfast includes pancakes, bacon/sausage, and beverage.
Proceeds from the event are donated to Rotary International Polio Eradication Fund, as well as buying shelter boxes for disaster survivors and providing scholarships for Berkeley County Parks and Recreation Summer Camps. Sponsorship opportunites are available by calling Mike Hornby at 304-851-7461 or emailing mike@aroundthepanhandle.com.
Also About.com has a lot of events in and around the DC area.
National Memorial Day Concert
Sunday, May 27, 2012, 8 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m.
PBS sponsors a FREE concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The concert features actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise, and other guest artists along with the National Symphony Orchestra. See Photos of the Performers for the 2012 Concert.
National Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 28, 2012, beginning at 2 p.m.
The parade of Marching Bands and Veterans units from all 50 states steps off at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Streets, NW and proceeds along Constitution Avenue, past the White House, ending at 17th Street. The National Memorial Day Parade is sponsored by the World War II Veterans Committee and includes patriotic floats and helium-filled balloons. See Photos of the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC.
Sunday, May 27, 2012. Departure from the Pentagon at 12 p.m. Speaker Program and Musical Tribute 1:30 p.m. at the Reflecting Pool across from The Lincoln Memorial. Thousands of motorcycles ride through Washington in an annual demonstration seeking to improve veteran benefits and resolve POW/MIA issues. See Photos of Rolling Thunder
Sunday, May 27, 2012, 10 a.m. The Buffalo Thunder Memorial Motorcycle Ride will begin in the Sears parking lot at 2101 Brightseat Rd in Hyattsville, MD and end at the African American Civil War Memorial and Museum at 1925 Vermont Ave NW in Washington, DC.
GI Film Festival
May 14-20, 2012. The festival is held annually just before Memorial Day weekend. See classic and premier films celebrating the heroic stories of the American Armed Forces including a variety of films presented by award-winning Hollywood actors and directors. Participate in panel discussions with soldiers, journalists, authors, and filmmakers.
Flags-In. Soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) will be joined by service members from the U.S. Marine Corps Ceremonial and Guard Company, U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard, U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard in placing more than 250,000 grave decorating flags at Arlington National Cemetery. The flags will remain through Memorial Day.
Monday, May 28, 2012, 11 a.m. A wreath-laying ceremony and concert will be held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in honor of Memorial Day. See Photos of Arlington National Cemetery.
Monday, May 28, 2012, 4 p.m. The Women In Military Service For America Memorial, located at the gateway to Arlington National Cemetery, will hold a ceremony that includes formal military honors, a keynote address, wreath-layings and the Memorial’s signature event, the scattering of rose petals in tribute to departed comrades. Members of the public are invited to join in the personal tribute segment of the program.
Saturday, May 26, 2012, 11 a.m. Rolling Thunder visits the Navy Memorial and holds a wreath-laying ceremony featuring special guests and live performances.
Monday, May 28, 2012, 10 a.m. Fleet Reserve Association Wreath laying, 12 p.m. U.S. Navy Band Concert, 1 p.m. Naval District Washington Wreath laying.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Monday, May 28, 2012, 1 p.m.
This year's annual Memorial Day ceremony includes Presentation of the Colors, remarks by a special guest and wreath-laying service.
World War II Memorial
Monday, May 28, 2012, 9 a.m. The National Park Service and the Friends of the National World War II Memorial will sponsor a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of our veterans. Guest speakers will give remarks. The theme for the commemoration is "Honoring our Fallen Warriors." Many surviving WWII veterans will be in attendance.
Air Force Memorial
Monday, May 28, 2012, 9 a.m. wreath laying ceremony is open to the public. Activities include the national anthem, invocation, speeches, the laying of the wreath and the sounding of Taps.
President Lincoln's Cottage
Monday, May 28, 2012, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Take a free guided tour of the USSAH National Cemetery (predecessor of Arlington National Cemetery) at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Wreath laying ceremonies will also take place at the Soldiers' Home at 11:15 a.m. and at the Cemetery at 12:15 p.m. Tours of the Cottage will be available from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the regular price of $15 for adults and $5 for children. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch. Advanced reservations for Cottage Tours are strongly recommended.
Major Events in Maryland and Virginia
Hometown Holidays
May 26-28, 2012. The city of Rockville's Memorial Day event is a three-day street festival with live music, children's entertainment, a parade and more.
Viva Vienna
May 26-28, 2012. Vienna, Virginia celebrates with a community festival including food, crafts, music, carnival rides and a Memorial Day tribute.
Wolf Trap National Park
Sunday, May 27, 2012, 8:00 p.m. Summer Blast Off! "The President's Own". The park for performing arts kicks off the summer season with a free performance by the U.S. Marine Band followed by fireworks. The Filene Center gates open at 6:30 p.m. Arrive early because the park closes once capacity is reached.
Sunset Celebration at Mount Vernon
May 25-27, 2012, 6-9 p.m. New family-friendly event! Enjoy evening tours of the Mansion, 18th-century music, dancing, games, and wagon rides. Stroll the lantern-lit grounds and visit with Lady Washington and her granddaughter Nelly. Admission: Adults, $18; children 6-11, $12; and children under 5 are admitted free.
Fort Ward Park, Alexandria, Virginia
Monday, May 28, 2012, 1-7 p.m. The annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival features big band, swing, and contemporary jazz music. Picnics are allowed and food and beverages will also be for sale. In case of inclement weather, the festival will be relocated to the Lee Center's Kauffman Auditorium, 1108 Jefferson St. Admission is free.
Falls Church Memorial Day Parade
Monday May 28, 2012, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The City of Falls Church, Virginia celebrates Memorial Day with a festival featuring pony rides, arts and crafts booths, live entertainment, food and a community parade.
Delaplane Strawberry Festival
May 26-27, 2012, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sky Meadows State Park, Delaplane, VA. The annual festival includes live entertainment, children's games, pony rides, hayrides, a petting zoo, a 5K fun run, a raptor exhibit, antique cars, food, crafts and strawberries.
Chestertown Tea Party Festival
May 25-27, 2012. The historic river-front town on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay (about an hour and half from DC) kicks off each summer with a weekend of fun for the whole family including a tea toss reenactment, colonial parade, cocktail party, raft race, street performances, colonial crafts, strolling musicians, local fare, 5k & 10 mile run and more.
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Thanks for tuning in!