Memorial Day is next Monday, which is both a solemn remembrance of those who have died serving their country and a joyful kickoff to summer. Here’s some of the ways you can both observe the holiday and enjoy yourself this weekend.
Memorial Day Events
Monona pulls out all the stops for its Memorial Day Parade on May 26, which begins at 9:30 a.m. with the playing of the national anthem in front of the flags at Monona Grove High School. The parade starts at 10 a.m. and ends at noon at Sennett Middle School. Monona Drive and several other streets on the parade route will be closed to traffic during that time.
In a new initiative this year, banners along the parade route will honor local veterans and their families.The parade will also showcase local groups and business, and have plenty of family-friendly touches, including vintage cars, dogs in costumes, and even an appearance from Bucky Badger.
VFW Post 7591 will conduct several ceremonies honoring veterans at cemeteries around town, including Blooming Grove Cemetery at 11:15 a.m., Roselawn Memorial Ceremony at noon, Highland Memorial Cemetery at 1 p.m., and Madison Veterans Memorial Park at 2 p.m.
At 10 a.m., Madison Veterans Council will host a ceremony at Union Rest in Forest Hills Cemetery, and Fitchburg will have its Memorial Day Observance at 12:30 p.m. at Gorman Wayside Veterans Memorial Park, featuring Oregon/Brooklyn VFW Post 10272.
Madison Veterans For Peace will have its annual Memorial Day Peace Rally at 1 p.m., featuring a keynote address from John Nichols of the Cap Times and music by Old Cool. Veterans For Peace will also set up its Memorial Mile display honoring veterans who have lost their lives in Olbrich Park from May 24 to 31.
The Wisconsin Veterans Museum is closed on Memorial Day, but is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, and is full of exhibits highlighting veterans from Wisconsin who served from the Civil War to present day.
It’s Another Brat Summer
Brat Fest brings sausage and the people who love it to Willow Island at Alliant Energy Center, with three days of live music, family activities, and, of course, brats.
Vegans shouldn’t feel left out, as Vegan Sausage Fest returns to Warner Park from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, featuring gourmet brats from Vibrant Veg, Green Owl Cafe, and more. If that isn’t enough brat action for you, check out the Men4Choice Brat Fry from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at Brittingham Park, which will raise money for the Wisconsin Abortion Fund.
Play Ball!
Memorial Day Weekend is a great day to enjoy some live sports, and some of Madison’s favorite teams will be busy. The Madison Mallards will kick off their 25th season on Memorial Day against the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders (incredible name) at Warner Park. And Madison Forward will host Portland Hearts of Pine FC at Breese Stevens Field on Saturday.
Get Outside!
This is a great weekend to enjoy the outdoors. Madison offers lots of great bike rides, whether you want to take a short trip, a longer loop, or just hit the trail and head out of the city limits. And there are so many great parks and trails to go for a hike, whether you want to really challenge yourself or just go for a glorified walk.
