Memorial Day 2021

Memorial Day is a federal holiday that honors the military personnel who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Each year, we observe Memorial Day on the last Monday of May. Memorial Day will take place on Monday, May 31, 2021. If you are looking for ways to commemorate this special holiday, there are plenty of events taking place throughout the Chicago Southland to help you do so!

Memorial Ceremonies

Villages all over the Chicago Southland will be hosting special Memorial Day events.

On Saturday, May 29, the Village of Posen will be hosting a small Memorial Day Service. The service will begin at 10:00 AM, at Posen’s beautiful veteran’s memorial, located at 147^th Street and Cleveland Avenue. For more information, please click here.

Head to the Village of Lansing on Sunday, May 30 for a Memorial Day Service at the Lansing Veterans Memorial, located at the northwest corner of the Lansing Municipal Airport (Burnham Avenue and Glenwood-Lansing Road). This service will remember US War Dogs and will include a dedication of the War Dog Artus statue, as well as the dedication of the new tri-panel, sponsored by the family and friends of Lansing native US Army MSG Nathan Goodman, who was tragically killed in a Special Forces training accident. This special service will begin at 2:00 PM. For more information, go here.

The community is invited to join the Village of Orland Park for their Memorial Day event. This year’s ceremony will begin at 11:00 AM on Monday, May 31 at the Ara Pace – Place of Peace, located at 14700 South Ravinia Avenue. The names of 55 veterans who have been recently added to the village’s granite wall will be read aloud. Other agenda items include readings, patriotic music, blessings, a wreath-laying and more. To read the event’s entire itinerary and to see the names of the 55 veterans who will be honored, please visit the Village of Orland Park’s press release, located here. This ceremony will also be livestreamed on the village’s YouTube channel.The Village of Justice will be hosting a Memorial Day Service at the Justice Veterans Memorial. The service will begin at 9:00 AM on Monday, May 31. Visitors are invited to join the service to help honor armed services veterans. For more information, please go here.

Join the Village of Tinley Park for their Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 31 from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM at the General Patrick E. Rea Veterans Plaza (18001 80^th Avenue). The ceremony will include patriotic music, short speeches, a wreath-laying and a gun salute. For more information, go here.

On Monday, May 31, the Village of Park Forest will host their annual Memorial Day Ceremony. This event, sponsored by the Park Forest American Legion, will take place at the Village Green Memorial in downtown Park Forest at 11:00 AM. The event will feature a grand re-opening of the Park Forest Veterans Commission’s Veterans Closet and Resource Center, which will be open to visitors from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. The Veterans Closet and Resource Center is located at 351 Founders Way. For more information, go here.

The Village of Alsip will be hosting a Memorial Day event at Alsip’s VFW Post 450, located at 11800 South Cicero Avenue. The event will begin at 12:00 PM. This special ceremony will also serve as a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) awareness event. Over 200 personalized dog tags bearing the names of veterans will be on display at the VFW’s memorial that honors troops lost in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Photo ops as well as food and beverages will be available after the ceremony. For more information, please call 708-388-2387.

There will be a small celebration in the Village of Crete on Monday, May 31. Beginning at 11:00 AM, the festivities will include guest speakers, a singer performing the national anthem, a 21-gun salute and a bagpiper. Go here for more information. 

The Village of Frankfort will be hosting a virtual Memorial Day Ceremony this year. On May 31, Frankfort VFW Post 1493, Will County Chief Deputy States Attorney Ken Grey and Hickory Creek Middle School Band and Orchestra will join the Village of Frankfort to honor service men and women. The ceremony will air on FCTV Channel 6 as well as Frankfort’s YouTube channel at 10:00 AM. Visit this page for more information.

In the Village of South Chicago Heights, a Memorial Day Service will begin at 10:00 AM. This ceremony will take place at the South Chicago Heights Veteran’s Memorial Mound (corner of Enterprise Park and Sauk Trail Avenues). Refreshments will be served immediately following the service. For more information, please visit this page.

A short program honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice will be held in Palos Park on Monday, May 31. This program will begin at 11:00 AM at the VFW Memorial (8901 West 123^rd Street). For more info, go here.

Parades

Grab the family and attend a Memorial Day parade!

Commemorate Memorial Day at South Holland’s Memorial Day Parade on May 31! The annual parade will begin at 11:00 AM at 170^th Street and South Park Avenue. Join local schools, churches, businesses and civic groups as they remember and honor the military personnel who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Social distancing and mask wearing among spectators is highly encouraged. For more information, please call 708-339-8753.

Join the Village of Matteson and the American Legion Post 474 for their Memorial Day Parade. The parade kicks off at 10:00 AM from Caboose Park (corner of 215^th and Locust Streets), towards Memorial Park (3713 212^th Place). The parade route is approximately one mile long and will travel along 215^th Street, Main Street, 216^th Street, Maple Street, 213^th Place and Tower Avenue, concluding at the park. Afterwards, a special ceremony will be held at the park, followed by hot dogs and beverages served at the American Legion. For more information, please click here.

Additional Memorial Day Weekend Events

If you’re looking for a Memorial Day weekend event that is family-friendly, look no further!

“Lure in” the memories at Monee Reservoir this Memorial Day weekend! On Friday, Saturday or Sunday, head out to Monee Reservoir for a unique celebration. Is there someone meaningful in your life, past or present, that deserves to be recognized? Now’s your chance! Blank cards and craft items will be on hand to help you express your sentiments. The decorated cards will be displayed around the concession building. This event is free, and no registration is required. While you’re visiting, take advantage of the 46-acre lake that is perfect for fishing, kayaking or canoeing. For more information, please click here.

Sand Ridge Nature Center will be hosting events all weekend long. On Friday, May 28, Sand Ridge in South Holland will be hosting a Spring Evening Wildflower Walk at 6:00 PM. Attendees will take an evening hike to appreciate the beautiful wildflowers in the preserve. Registration is required and can be done by calling 708-868-0606, visiting the nature center in person (open seven days a week, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM) or emailing [email protected]!

Sand Ridge Nature Center will also be hosting a Sunset Frog Hop on Saturday, May 29 at 7:00 PM. This fun, after-hours event will feature a sunset walk where attendees can listen for frogs and learn about the amphibians that call Sand Ridge their home. This program is recommended for ages 12 and up. Registration is required! Call, visit or email the nature center to do so.

Plus, the kids won’t want to miss Nature Play: Don’t Be Afraid of the Dirt on Sunday, May 30 at 1:00 PM. Join Sand Ridge Nature Center to explore with dirt and mud. Make sure to dress appropriately! Registration for this event is also required, and may be done via phone, an in-person visit to the nature center or by email!

Visit the Park Forest Main Street Market this Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 29 for a barbecue! Local vendors All-Out Smoke Pit and C&K Smokehouse will be serving ribs, turkey, links, chicken, fish and pulled pork, along with sides like baked beans, macaroni and cheese and French fries. To pre-order your Memorial Day meals, call All-Out Smoke Pit at 708-400-9535 or C&K Smokehouse at 708-549-2699. Don’t forget to shop at the local market, where you will find flowers, fruits and vegetables, baked goods, herbs and dairy products. Local businesses will also be in attendance, selling artwork, garden ornaments, jewelry and more! The Main Street Market is located at 152 Main Street in Park Forest and will be open from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Click here for more information.

Enjoy some live music over Memorial Day weekend at Copper Still Martini Lounge & Speakeasy in Homewood on Sunday, May 30. The Xperience Band, a Jimi Hendrix tribute band, will be performing at both 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM.  For tickets, please click here.

Grab a free ice cream cone with a round of mini golf at Tinley Junction Miniature Golf and Batting Cages in Tinley Park! On May 31 from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, the entire family can enjoy Tinley Junction’s 18-hole mini golf course, batting cages and concession stands. Click here for more information!

Memorials

The Chicago Southland is home to an abundance of beautiful memorials, located throughout the region. Visitors to these memorials will see artifacts such as helicopters, tanks and eternal flames, along with amazing artwork and plaques commemorating those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the armed forces. This Memorial Day, pay your respects at any of the veteran’s memorials. Go to VisitChicagoSouthland.com/Memorials for a complete list of memorials around the Chicago Southland.

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