(WWJ) – This Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start to summer and communities all across Metro Detroit will be celebrating by honoring fallen and missing soldiers.
Here’s a guide to festivities happening around Southeast Michigan.
Southfield Veterans’ Commission Ceremony - Friday, May 27, 9 a.m. – The City of Southfield will commemorate Memorial Day with speakers, a musical performance by a high school student and a 21-Gun Salute at the Southfield Council Chambers, 26000 Evergreen Road.
Madison Heights Memorial Service - Saturday, May 28, 10 a.m. – In lieu of the traditional parade and pancake breakfast, the GFWC Madison Heights Women’s Club will honor fallen heroes with a memorial service at the gazebo in front of City Hall.
Holly Memorial Day Ceremony - Sunday, May 29, 1 p.m. – Several thousand veterans, families and friends are expected to gather at the Great Lakes National Cemetery for patriotic music, a VFW State Honor Guard presentation of colors, a rifle salute and Taps at 4200 Belford Road in Holly.
69th Annual St. Clair Shores Memorial Day Parade - Sunday, May 29, 1 p.m. – Crowds will gather along Harper Avenuefor what officials call the largest Memorial Day parade in the Midwest. It begins at Ridgeway and finishes at 11 Mile Road, featuring military and veteran groups, high school marching bands and more.
Royal Oak Field of Honor - Sunday, May 29-June 5 – The Royal Oak Veterans Event Committee will host a moving display of nearly 200 U.S. flags at the Centennial Commons in Downtown Royal Oak to pay tribute to Royal Oak heroes who died in active military service.
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Dearborn Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony - Monday, May 30, 10 a.m. – One of the largest Memorial Day parades in all of Michigan is back after a two-year COVID-19 hiatus. Four-Star General Joseph M. Martin – the third-highest ranking officer in the U.S. Army – will be on-hand for the events, which will begin at 9:40 a.m. with a silent honorary funeral procession carrying the cremains of veterans who never received proper burial before the parade moves along its traditional route down Michigan Avenue.
Memorial Day Arlington Michigan Display In Downtown Detroit - Monday, May 30, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. – The Metro Detroit Chapter of Veterans For Peace will display one marker for every Michigan soldier killed in Afghanistan and Iraq at Grand Circus Park in Downtown Detroit. Each marker will show the photo, name, age, rank and unit of the more than 200 soldiers killed in those two wars.
Farmington/Farmington Hills Groves-Walker American Legion Parade - Monday, May 30, 10 a.m. – The parade, a tradition in the community since 1970, will begin near Grand River and Orchard Lake and move a mile west on Grand River, ending at Oakland Street with a ceremony at the Farmington War Memorial Monument in Memorial Park. A luncheon will follow at the American Legion Hall located at 31775 Grand River Avenue.
Royal Oak Memorial Day Parade - Monday, May 30, 9 a.m. – The parade steps off on S. Washington near Lincoln in downtown Royal Oak.
43rd Annual Sterling Heights Memorial Day Parade - Monday, May 30, 9 a.m. – This year’s theme is “The Red Poppy.” Festivities begin with a 9 a.m. ceremony in the courtyard between City Hall and the Sterling Heights Police Department, while the parade steps off from Dodge Park at 10 a.m. and ends at Heritage Jr. High. Spectators should park along the parade route and in front of the Police Department and the Richard J. Notte Civic Center.
Lake Orion Memorial Day Parade and ceremonies - Monday, May 30, 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m. – There will be brief ceremonies at Eastlawn Cemetery (9 a.m.) and Children’s Park (10 a.m.) before the parade in downtown Lake Orion begins near Flint Street and Broadway at 11 a.m.
Hazel Park Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade – Monday, May 30, 9 a.m. – A ceremony will start at 9 a.m. at City Hall, followed by a parade that goes from Hazel Park Jr. High to Green Acres Park.
Rochester Hills Memorial Day Ceremony – Monday, May 30, 9 a.m. – Ceremony at Veterans’ Memorial Pointe at 1015 S. Livernois Road.
South Lyon Memorial Day Parade - Monday, May 30, 9 a.m. – The parade steps off from Bartlett Elementary School, making its way down 10 Mile through downtown South Lyon. Festivities conclude with a ceremony in the South Lyon Cemetery.
Birmingham Memorial Day Events – Monday, May 30, 10 a.m. – The mayor and state representatives will speak at a ceremony in Shain Park. Civil War reenactors will be on-hand.
Clawson Memorial Day Ceremony – Monday, May 30, 10 a.m. – Clawson American Legion Post 167 will honor fallen heroes with a ceremony at the Blair Public Library gazebo.
Ferndale Memorial Day Parade – Monday, May 30, 10 a.m. – The parade begins at Livernois and Maplehurst, heading to Woodward, south to Nine Mile Rd and west to Livernois, followed by a ceremony at the Veteran’s Memorial Mall at 11 a.m.
Holly Memorial Day Parade - Monday, May 30, 10 a.m. – The annual parade will begin at S. Saginaw and E. Maple and march to Lakeside Cemetery for a ceremony.
Novi Memorial Day Parade – Monday, May 30, 10 a.m. – The parade begins at the Novi Memorial Commons on Meadowbrook Road and ends at the Novi Civic Center.
Troy Memorial Day Ceremony - Monday, May 30, 10 a.m. – A ceremony will be held at the Veterans’ Memorial Plaza in front of City Hall, honoring fallen men and women with speeches, music and reflection.
Waterford Memorial Day Parade - Monday, May 30, 10 a.m. – Hosted by the Heart of the Lakes VFW Post 1008, the parade runs down Dixie Highway, beginning at Sashabaw and ending at Williams Lake Road.