By Tyler R. Morrissey
Memorial Day Weekend is here! The three-day weekend is not only the unofficial start of summer, but it’s also a time where we pause to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation. From parades to services and the opening of some of our favorite outdoor campgrounds and beaches, we have a short roundup of how you can make the most of the next three days.
There is Nothing Like a Parade
Memorial Day is famous for the parades and gatherings that honor our servicemen and women, and celebrate the freedom we enjoy today. In Connecticut, from the Litchfield Hills to Fairfield County and the Connecticut Shoreline, there are plenty of municipalities hosting a patriotic procession.
- Stamford Memorial Day Parade, 5/27 at Noon, Summer Street and Hoyt Street
- Litchfield Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony, 5/28 at 10 a.m., Litchfield Center, North Street
- Fairfield Memorial Day Parade, 5/28 at 10:00 a.m., South Pine Creek Road along the Post Road to the library
For a complete list of Memorial Day Parades in Connecticut, click here.
Head for the Hills, or Mountains
Most of this weekend’s forecast looks to be dry, meaning it’s a great time to get outside and enjoy nature. According to the TODAY Show, the Berkshires of Massachusetts are one of the best places to travel to this Memorial Day weekend. Known as one of New England’s top vacation spots for culture-driven travel, the Berkshires region in the western part of the state has a lot more going for it than just the famed Tanglewood music venue. The region’s farm culture and collaborative community have also made it a top destination for country cuisine and the arts.
Hit the Beach
If you have been counting down the days until the public beaches in Westchester County will open, you are in luck. Starting this weekend some of the region’s most popular sandy spots will be open including: Playland Park in Rye, Glen Island Park in New Rochelle and Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson. For a complete list of all public beaches that will be open this weekend, click here.
Upgrade your Appliances
Sometimes during the hustle and bustle of everyday life, you tend to neglect or forget about that to-do list of items around your house. Take advantage of the extra day this weekend and check out some of the promotions major retailers are offering on home appliances. According to USA Today, Memorial Day weekend is one of the best shopping weekends of the summer season. Use this weekend to purchase a new stove or refrigerator and you’ll be glad you did when you’re serving a delicious meal and ice cold beverage at your first party of the summer.
Honor the Fallen
Maybe you booked a trip this weekend or stretched your long weekend into an extended vacation. There are still ways you can honor our heroes away from the States. Forbes magazine recently highlighted monuments in Europe that honor American contributions during World War II. If your vacation includes a stop in Luxembourg, pay tribute at the American Cemetery in Luxembourg where 5,076 Americans are buried, including well-known commander of the Third U.S. Army Gen. George S. Patton.
Back stateside, there are also ceremonies taking place to pay your respects. On May 28th the Mystic Seaport will pay tribute to fallen Civil War soldiers during its annual Decoration Day ceremony. What we now call Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day when the U.S. government declared it a national day of remembrance in 1868 to honor Union soldiers who died in the Civil War. This year America will mark the 150th anniversary of this federal holiday. In the morning, visitors at the seaport are invited to the museum’s Fishtown Chapel to witness the memorials laid for local Civil War soldiers. Around noon, amid the tolling of steeple bells, all are welcome inside the Greenmanville Church for a brief service complete with a sermon and hymns. A procession to the waterfront will follow. For more information, click here.
