Memorial Day Celebrations In Detroit
Memorial Day will be here before we know it, and there are many events going on throughout the Detroit Metro area to commemorate the soldiers who have served for our country. Check out this list for the best events in the area.
Royal Oak Memorial Day Parade
Parade route starts at S. Main St. and Harrison Ave.
Royal Oak, MI
www.ci.royal-oak.mi.us/portal/events/memorial-day-community-parade
Date: May 27, 2013
Royal Oak's Memorial Day Parade is a tradition for the city and is hosted by the Royal Oak Memorial Day Parade Committee. The parade will start at South Main Street and Harrison Avenue, and then continue north to 2nd Street, and then east to Veteran's Memorial Plaza where the Annual Memorial Service will take place. Anyone that wants to help out with the parade or groups that would like to participate can email royaloakmemorialday@gmail.com or visit the parade's Facebook page for more information in participating.
Civil War Remembrance at Greenfield Village
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
Dearborn, MI 48124
(313) 982-6001
www.thehenryford.org/events/civilWarRemembrance.aspx
Date: May 25-27, 2013
Greenfield Village, located at the Henry Ford, will host its annual Civil War Remembrance weekend in honor of Memorial Day. It includes parades, artillery demonstrations and Civil War reenactments, and has some hands-on activities for kids as well. The Dodworth Saxhorn Band will be in attendance performing songs that were popular around the time period of the Civil War. Other features include dramatic presentations, special exhibits, artifacts, stories and military and civilian camps set up. Admission is $24 for adults age 13-61, $17.50 for youths age 5-12, free for children age 4 and under, $22 for seniors 62+ and free for Greenfield Village members.
Greater Rochester Heritage Days
Rochester Municipal Park
608 7th St.
Rochester, MI 48307
(248) 881-6547
www.facebook.com/Greater-Rochester-Heritage-Days
Date: May 25-26, 2013
Rochester Heritage Days Festival has a long history - it started in 1975 - and celebrates the community of Rochester. It has Civil War-era demonstrations such as spinning and metalsmithing, and also War of 1812 reenactments. Last year, it had "Crafts Along the Creek," where handmade crafts and arts were sold. For kids, the festival includes face painting, pony and camel rides and a rock climbing wall. The festival also includes a motorcycle rally, a chili cook-off and a vintage and custom car display for viewing.
Keego Harbor Memorial Day Parade
Parade starts at Abbott Middle School
3380 Orchard Lake Road
West Bloomfield, MI 48324
(248) 613-8987
www.keegoharbor.org
Date: May 27, 2013
The Grand Marshals of Keego Harbor's annual Memorial Day Parade are special guests this year. They are Amy O'Rourke and her four children. Amy's husband, West Bloomfield Police Officer Patrick O'Rourke, died in the line of duty in September of 2012. The parade will start at Abbott Middle School and continue north on Cass Lake Road, ending at City Hall with a ceremony honoring all members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Groups are welcome to participate in the parade by calling the phone number listed above or emailing keegoharbormemorialdayparade@gmail.com.
Novi Memorial Day Fun Run
Fuerst Park
Corner of Ten Mile and Taft Road
Novi, MI 48375
(248) 974-8074
www.novimemorialdayrun.com
Date: May 27, 2013
The 2nd Annual Novi Memorial Day Fun Run offers different races for whatever course length you choose. The race options include the Elite Mile, 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Family Run/Walk. The Fun Run can be an alternative choice to a parade this Memorial Day for you and your family (although the Novi Parade immediately follows the races, if you so choose), and a portion of the proceeds from the race benefit the Karmanos Cancer Institute, local charities and the Novi Park Foundation Youth Program. The Elite Mile race offers cash prizes to the top three finishers, as well as age group winners, and live music (a band and DJ) will be provided at the start of the races.
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Liz Parker is a freelance writer and a University of Michigan graduate with a degree in Creative Writing and Literature. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
