Enjoy the sun while it’s still shining down on Springfield because this weekend, the late May showers will rain on the Capital City – so dress accordingly and bring a raincoat with your sunscreen for Memorial Day activities in the Springfield area.
Memorial Day Ceremony
What: The Department of Veterans Affairs will once again hold a wreath laying ceremony at Camp Butler National Cemetary. There will also be speeches, a rifle volley and the playing of Taps.
When: 2 p.m. Monday
Where: Camp Butler National Cemetary, 5063 Camp Butler Road, Springfield
Opening day at Splash Kingdom
What: Not afraid of getting soaked? The rain will drench Springfieldians anyways, so why not just enjoy the downpour as part of the weekend. Splash Kingdom is opening up for its 2024 season at Knight’s Action Park. The family-owned venue will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for its 93rd year of operation in central Illinois.
When: 10 a.m. Saturday
Where: 1700 Recreation Drive, Springfield
Season passes, tickets and specials like Mondays for Moms, where mom gets free admission with a child who has a ticket, are all available on the Knights Action Park website.
Rhythm of the Railyard
What: Catch some live music and food that feeds the soul at The Railyard this weekend all while beating the heat. Catch local musicians Amy Battles and Tom Irwen, who for over 40 years has been performing in Sangamon County with his music variety a mix between “Buddy Holly and Frank Zappa” according to his website. The Railyard will be bustling with guitars strumming and cutlery going to town on the Railyard’s regular staples; Tare Ramen serving sushi and ramen noodles, TX BBQ, El Taco Guapo and of course the Railyard Canteen serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
When: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Where: 2242 S. 6th St., Springfield
Menus for the separate food vendors can be found online at railyardvenue.com. Parking is free behind the railyard, but spaces are limited.
Annual Solidarity “Ride for Our Lives”
What: In honor and solidarity of the loss of Breonna Taylor, Dreasjon Reed and George Floyd, Black Lives Matter Springfield is hosting their annual solidarity procession across from the Bank of Springfield Center. The multi-car procession will line up beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the 9th and Adams parking lot, before a short program from the BLM of Springfield to remember lives lost to men and women killed at the hands of law enforcement. Maps will be provided to people joining the route to ensure safety for all procession-goers as well as other Springfield residents on the traffic route.
When: 12:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: The route will be posted on the BLM Springfield Facebook, but cars will start accumulating at 9th and Adams parking lot before the official route begins.
The BLM of Springfield encourages people to decorate their cars and to create unique designs to show love and support for their cause, as well as people outside of vehicles to create signs.
6th Anniversary at Motorheads
What: Motorheads is celebrating their six-year anniversary with the Capital City, making music louder than the pounding rain outside. Enjoy live music from Illinois cover band After Sunset and plenty of drinks to go around.
When: 11 p.m. Friday
Where: Route 66 MotorHeads Bar & Grill, Museum complex at 600 Toronto Road.
Information about the event and Motorheads can be found online at the Motorheads Bar & Grill website, or their Facebook event.
DIY sangria bar with Ad Astra
What: Do it yourself just got a little bit boozier. For the price of a regular glass of wine, Ad Astra in downtown Springfield is letting guests get creative and make their own perfect glass of sangria. Anytime during the farmer’s market, guests are invited to mix red, white or rose wine with fruit of their choice and any mix of liquor that’ll pair how they want for $8. The combinations are going to be plentiful with each season bringing a new selection of herbs and fruits to mix into your sangria, for a different glass every weekend. If you miss it this week, don't stress, the DIY sangria bar will be returning with every farmer’s market until the end of the market season in late October.
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Downtown Springfield at 312 E. Adams St.
Non-alcoholic mixes are available at the DIY station; a full list of the fruits and herbs will be available at the DIY bar inside Ad Astra during the event duration.
Claire Grant writes about business, growth and development and other news topics for the State Journal-Register. She can be reached at CLGrant@gannett.com; and on X (Formerly known as Twitter): @Claire_Granted
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