Top 5 Things To Do Memorial Day Weekend in Chicago Southland
By Kristen Bonk published May 26, 2016
As the unofficial beginning of summer, Memorial Day Weekend offers the perfect way to start the road-trip season. Here are the top five fun things to do over memorial day weekend in Chicago Southland. Explore a bit of Irish culture or immerse in nature that is Just Beyond The City Limits. Then take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day Weekend. There are plenty of ceremonies and parades throughout Chicago Southland that will give you a chance to pay respect to those who risked their lives for our freedom.
May 27th - May 30th
Chicago Gaelic Park
6119 West 147th Street, Oak Forest
(708) 687-9323
Everyone is Irish at Irish Fest! Chicago Gaelic Park has been celebrating all things Irish for 30 years at this must attend event! You'll enjoy some of the best in Irish entertainment this Memorial Day weekend, straight from the Emerald Isle! All of the entertainment, unlimited free carnival rides and free parking are included in the admission price. Gaelic Park Irish Fest is a great value for friends and family entertainment. In addition to all of the music, there will be Irish sports, dancing, theater & story-telling, a petting zoo, Irish dogs and ponies and plenty of shopping at the Irish import stores. For those who are young at heart there are magicians, puppets, jugglers, clowns and most importantly, unlimited carnival rides.
F 4-11PM; Sa & Su 2-11PM; M 1-8PM
Make certain to take pictures and tag them with #GaelicFest in #ChicagoSouthland!
Saturday, May 28th
Chicago Fire vs. Portland Timbers
TOYOTA PARK
7000 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview
888-MLS-FIRE
Get ready to yell out, "COME ON YOU MEN IN RED!" The men in red are coming off a soothing 3 points, a home victory over the Houston Dynamo. They generated 20 shots and it was Arturo Alvarez who opened it up just three minutes in. While February was a while ago, the Chicago Fire was able to see Portland in pre-season and receive some results. Hopefully, they can use that experience to their advantage. The Chicago Fire will be up against the defending Champs. Make certain to tag your pictures with #chivpor.
7:30PM
Sunday, May 29th
Chicago Red Stars vs. Sky Blue FC
TOYOTA PARK
7000 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview
(773) 697-8699
It's Sunday Night Futbol! It's Chicago vs. New Jersey! Don't miss some of the best women's soccer players battle it out.
6PM
Sunday, May 29th
Sports Collectible Show
Orland Park Civic Center
14750 Ravinia Avenue, Orland Park
(708) 423-1758
The sports collectible show offers you the opportunity to trade, sell and buy sports cards, collectibles, NASCAR items and more.
9AM-1PM
[caption id="attachment_2975" align="alignright" width="300"]
Forest Preserves of Cook County / Christina Rutter[/caption]
Unplug from your daily routine and explore the nature through the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Visit Sagawau Environmental Learning Center to tweet about all of the birds you see and learn about during their Birding the Preserves (Friday, May 27th) and Bird Hike (Saturday, May 28th). Or maybe you’re more interested in being a Fun-Guy while learning about Mycorrhizal Fungi (Saturday, May 28th)! Get out and get active with a naturalist by exploring remnant prairies and savannas along the Burnham Greenway Trail (Saturday, May 28th). Meet at Green Lake Family Aquatic Center.
Green Lake Family Aquatic Center
1100 River Oaks Drive, Calumet City
(708) 868-0606
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs
(708) 839-6897
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center
12545 West 111th Street, Lemont
(630) 257-2045
4. Centennial Park Aquatic Center Opens
May 28th
15600 West Avenue, Orland Park
(708) 349-4FUN
Centennial Park Aquatic Center offers a zero-depth pool with children’s play area, a T-pool with platform, seven slides and a lazy river. The pool area contains rental and party pavilions, sand volleyball courts, concessions and locker rooms.
12-8PM
A full list of memorials throughout Chicago Southland can be found here.
Village of Lansing
A Memorial Day Service will be held at The Lansing Veterans Memorial at the Lansing Municipal Airport located at Burnham Avenue and Glenwood Lansing Road. The Lansing Veterans Memorial Honor Guard will remember the young Lansing men who died while serving the Vietnam War. In memory of all our deceased service men and women, attendees are asked to bring their deceased loved ones Burial Flag and be recognized during the ceremony. It is suggested that attendees bring lawn chairs as no seating is provided and in case of inclement weather the program will be held in the Historic Ford Hangar.
2PM
Village of Frankfort
Join the Village of Frankfort at Kansas and Oak Streets in downtown Frankfort from 10-11AM to pay tribute during their Memorial Day Ceremony. Members of the Hickory Creek Middle School band will perform. In case of rain, the event will be moved to Founders Center Gym, 140 Oak Street.
10AM
Village of Tinley Park
The Village of Tinley Park Veterans Commission presents the 2016 Memorial Day Ceremony. Please come out to honor our veterans 10-11:30AM at General Patrick Rea Veterans Plaza (80th Avenue Train Station), Tinley Park.
10AM
Village of Blue Island
Blue Island American Legion Post 50, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of the Legion will host the annual Memorial Day Observance at Memorial Park, 12750 Highland Avenue, Blue Island.
11AM
Village of Palos Park
The Village of Palos Park will hold a Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony at VFW Memorial on the Village Green at 8901 West 123rd Street, Palos Park.
12PM
Village of Orland Park
The Village of Orland Park will host its annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the village's Veterans Memorial at the Orland Park Village Center, 14700 South Ravinia Avenue. The names of 35 area veterans have been added to Orland Park's granite wall. For more information, call the village's Veterans Commission at (708) 403-6115.
1PM
Village of Homewood
Starting at 10:30AM at St. Joseph's Church, located at 17951 Dixie Highway, Homewood and heads south on Dixie Highway past Ridge Road. Then the parade will go west onto Olive and stops at Veterans Memorial. Paying homage to our fallen service men and women, Homewood's Memorial Day Parade is followed by a ceremony to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country.
Village of South Holland
This annual parade that honors the men and women who served in the military and made the ultimate sacrifice runs down South Park Avenue. It begins at 11AM at Thornwood High School (171st Place and South Park), travels North on South Park, ends at Veterans Park (160th Place and South Park) with a Remembrance Ceremony to follow.
Village of Thornton
Starting at 2 PM at 712 North Chicago Road to 115 East Margaret Street all veterans are invited to walk or ride. Please note that there will be no sirens in honor of those who served. There will be a service at the Village Hall and hot dogs at the Fire Department at the end of the parade. All are invited to attend.
1. Chicago Gaelic Park – Irish Fest
May 27th - May 30th
Chicago Gaelic Park
6119 West 147th Street, Oak Forest
(708) 687-9323
Everyone is Irish at Irish Fest! Chicago Gaelic Park has been celebrating all things Irish for 30 years at this must attend event! You'll enjoy some of the best in Irish entertainment this Memorial Day weekend, straight from the Emerald Isle! All of the entertainment, unlimited free carnival rides and free parking are included in the admission price. Gaelic Park Irish Fest is a great value for friends and family entertainment. In addition to all of the music, there will be Irish sports, dancing, theater & story-telling, a petting zoo, Irish dogs and ponies and plenty of shopping at the Irish import stores. For those who are young at heart there are magicians, puppets, jugglers, clowns and most importantly, unlimited carnival rides.
F 4-11PM; Sa & Su 2-11PM; M 1-8PM
Make certain to take pictures and tag them with #GaelicFest in #ChicagoSouthland!
2. Sports
Saturday, May 28th
Chicago Fire vs. Portland Timbers
TOYOTA PARK
7000 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview
888-MLS-FIRE
Get ready to yell out, "COME ON YOU MEN IN RED!" The men in red are coming off a soothing 3 points, a home victory over the Houston Dynamo. They generated 20 shots and it was Arturo Alvarez who opened it up just three minutes in. While February was a while ago, the Chicago Fire was able to see Portland in pre-season and receive some results. Hopefully, they can use that experience to their advantage. The Chicago Fire will be up against the defending Champs. Make certain to tag your pictures with #chivpor.
7:30PM
Sunday, May 29th
Chicago Red Stars vs. Sky Blue FC
TOYOTA PARK
7000 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview
(773) 697-8699
It's Sunday Night Futbol! It's Chicago vs. New Jersey! Don't miss some of the best women's soccer players battle it out.
6PM
Sunday, May 29th
Sports Collectible Show
Orland Park Civic Center
14750 Ravinia Avenue, Orland Park
(708) 423-1758
The sports collectible show offers you the opportunity to trade, sell and buy sports cards, collectibles, NASCAR items and more.
9AM-1PM
3. Explore the Nature that lies Just Beyond the City Limits
[caption id="attachment_2975" align="alignright" width="300"]
Forest Preserves of Cook County / Christina Rutter[/caption]Unplug from your daily routine and explore the nature through the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Visit Sagawau Environmental Learning Center to tweet about all of the birds you see and learn about during their Birding the Preserves (Friday, May 27th) and Bird Hike (Saturday, May 28th). Or maybe you’re more interested in being a Fun-Guy while learning about Mycorrhizal Fungi (Saturday, May 28th)! Get out and get active with a naturalist by exploring remnant prairies and savannas along the Burnham Greenway Trail (Saturday, May 28th). Meet at Green Lake Family Aquatic Center.
Green Lake Family Aquatic Center
1100 River Oaks Drive, Calumet City
(708) 868-0606
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs
(708) 839-6897
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center
12545 West 111th Street, Lemont
(630) 257-2045
4. Centennial Park Aquatic Center Opens
May 28th
15600 West Avenue, Orland Park
(708) 349-4FUN
Centennial Park Aquatic Center offers a zero-depth pool with children’s play area, a T-pool with platform, seven slides and a lazy river. The pool area contains rental and party pavilions, sand volleyball courts, concessions and locker rooms.
12-8PM
5. Traditional Memorial Day Celebrations
A full list of memorials throughout Chicago Southland can be found here.
Memorial Day Ceremonies on Sunday, May 29th
Village of Lansing
A Memorial Day Service will be held at The Lansing Veterans Memorial at the Lansing Municipal Airport located at Burnham Avenue and Glenwood Lansing Road. The Lansing Veterans Memorial Honor Guard will remember the young Lansing men who died while serving the Vietnam War. In memory of all our deceased service men and women, attendees are asked to bring their deceased loved ones Burial Flag and be recognized during the ceremony. It is suggested that attendees bring lawn chairs as no seating is provided and in case of inclement weather the program will be held in the Historic Ford Hangar.
2PM
Memorial Day Ceremonies on Monday, May 30th
Village of Frankfort
Join the Village of Frankfort at Kansas and Oak Streets in downtown Frankfort from 10-11AM to pay tribute during their Memorial Day Ceremony. Members of the Hickory Creek Middle School band will perform. In case of rain, the event will be moved to Founders Center Gym, 140 Oak Street.
10AM
Village of Tinley Park
The Village of Tinley Park Veterans Commission presents the 2016 Memorial Day Ceremony. Please come out to honor our veterans 10-11:30AM at General Patrick Rea Veterans Plaza (80th Avenue Train Station), Tinley Park.
10AM
Village of Blue Island
Blue Island American Legion Post 50, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of the Legion will host the annual Memorial Day Observance at Memorial Park, 12750 Highland Avenue, Blue Island.
11AM
Village of Palos Park
The Village of Palos Park will hold a Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony at VFW Memorial on the Village Green at 8901 West 123rd Street, Palos Park.
12PM
Village of Orland Park
The Village of Orland Park will host its annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the village's Veterans Memorial at the Orland Park Village Center, 14700 South Ravinia Avenue. The names of 35 area veterans have been added to Orland Park's granite wall. For more information, call the village's Veterans Commission at (708) 403-6115.
1PM
Memorial Day Parades on Monday, May 30th
Village of Homewood
Starting at 10:30AM at St. Joseph's Church, located at 17951 Dixie Highway, Homewood and heads south on Dixie Highway past Ridge Road. Then the parade will go west onto Olive and stops at Veterans Memorial. Paying homage to our fallen service men and women, Homewood's Memorial Day Parade is followed by a ceremony to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country.
Village of South Holland
This annual parade that honors the men and women who served in the military and made the ultimate sacrifice runs down South Park Avenue. It begins at 11AM at Thornwood High School (171st Place and South Park), travels North on South Park, ends at Veterans Park (160th Place and South Park) with a Remembrance Ceremony to follow.
Village of Thornton
Starting at 2 PM at 712 North Chicago Road to 115 East Margaret Street all veterans are invited to walk or ride. Please note that there will be no sirens in honor of those who served. There will be a service at the Village Hall and hot dogs at the Fire Department at the end of the parade. All are invited to attend.
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