Memorial Day Events Guide 2015

2015 MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS
MARYLAND
WASHINGTON, DC
VIRGINIA
MARYLAND ZOO’S “BREW AT THE ZOO”
JAZZ IN THE GARDEN
NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE AT
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
Sat & Sun, May 23 & 24 | 1:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Waterfowl Lake, Maryland Zoo
Participate in one of Baltimore’s biggest beer
festivals this Memorial Day weekend. Enjoy good
times with the animals featuring unlimited beer
sampling, live music, local artisan vendors, and
all day admission to the Zoo. A great chance to
experience the Zoo’s all new Penguin Coast exhibit.
4TH ANNUAL STARS AND STRIPES FESTIVAL
May 23—25
Opening Ceremony–Saturday, May 23, 10:00 a.m.
Chesapeake Beach Veterans’ Memorial Park
Weekend events begin on Saturday, May 23 at
10:00 a.m. with the Opening Ceremony at Veterans’
Memorial Park with Keynote Speaker, Maryland’s
First Lady, Yumi Hogan and Guest Speaker William
E. Weber, Col-USA-Ret. and Chairman of the Korean
War Veterans Memorial Foundation. This year’s
theme is the Korean War. Playing the National
Anthem as well as other patriotic music at the
Opening Ceremony is The United States Naval
Academy Band’s Brass Quintet.
ODENTON FIRE COMPANY CARNIVAL
1425 Annapolis Road, Odenton MD
Tuesday, May 19 – Memorial Day, Monday May 25
The Odenton Volunteer Fire Company will host their
annual carnival. Wristbands are $25 and are good for
unlimited rides on the day of purchase. A Memorial
Day parade will start at 5:00 pm.
visit oufc28.org for carnival hours.
DULANEY VALLEY MEMORIAL GARDENS
Memorial Day ceremony Mon, May 25, 10:00 a.m.
Circle of the Immortals
200 East Padonia Road, Timonium, MD
This annual ceremony salutes the men and women
of the armed forces who have paid the highest
price in defense of the United States of America.
Keynote speaker will be Col. Tom Manion, father of
1st Lt. Travis Manion, a marine who made the ultimate
sacrifice for our country in April 2007. The patriotic
ceremony includes music, speeches, a wreath laying,
and 21-gun salute.
HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS MUSIC FESTIVAL
& 71ST ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
Saturday, May 23 - Monday, May 25
Rockville Town Center | parade at 10:30 a.m.
Hometown Holidays offers activities for kids
including live entertainment on the Town Square
Stage, the Hometown Holidays beach, as well as
inflatables and amusements (for a fee). The event
also offers the opportunity to meet with several
community groups.
The Taste of Rockville: Sat & Sun, 12-10 p.m.
Maryland Avenue–Enjoy food, beverages, and
desserts from some of Rockville’s best restaurants.
Each ticket is $1.25 and can be purchased at a Taste of
Rockville ticket booth.
Friday, May 22nd | 5:30-8:30 p.m.
The National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden will
debut its summer series Memorial Day weekend.
Bring a blanket to sit on and feel free to pack a
picnic or head to the on-site Pavilion Café for sangria
and sandwiches.
NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
Monday, May 25 | 2:00 p.m
The largest Memorial Day event in the nation! The
parade will commence at the corner of Constitution
Avenue and 7th Street, NW. It will proceed west
down Constitution, past the White House, ending at
17th Street. Hundreds of thousands of spectators will
wave flags and cheer for our country’s heros.
NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT SERIES
May 23-25 | Washington National Mall
This exclusive performance series will be one of
the many musical events taking place in 2015 in
Washington, D.C. The theme of the concert series is a
Celebration of Peace and is a commemoration of the
70th Anniversary of the End of World War II and the
150th Anniversary of the End of the Civil War.
NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT
Sunday, May 24 | West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol
8:00 p.m., Gates open at 5:00 p.m.
This free concert pays tribute to those who have
served our country. The concert features a mix of
dramatic readings, documentary footage, and live
musical performances, along with an all-star line-up
of dignitaries, actors, and musical artists.
ROLLING THUNDER MOTORCYCLE RALLY
Sunday, May 24 | 12:00 p.m. Departure
from the Pentagon
This “ride of freedom” draws upwards of 900,000
motorcycle riders through Washington in an annual
demonstration seeking to improve veteran benefits
and resolve POW/MIA issues
Monday, May 25 | 10:30 a.m.
A prelude concert by the United States Navy Band
will begin in the amphitheater at 10:30 a.m. A
wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the Tomb
of the Unknowns at 11:00 a.m. and will be followed
by an observance program in the amphitheater. More
than a quarter million mini flags will decorate the
cemetery’s headstones. Attendees are encouraged
to arrive early to ensure access to these events and
should plan to be seated no later than 9:30 a.m.
Hours: 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
VIVA VIENNA MEMORIAL DAY FESTIVAL
May 23-25 | Church Street in Vienna, VA
Sat and Sun: 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Mon: 10am-6pm
Enjoy a family and community oriented celebration
of Memorial Day and the greater Vienna Community
spirit. The festival includes amusement rides, food,
crafts, vendors, and entertainment for all ages.
FALLS CHURCH PARADE AND FESTIVAL
May 25 | 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Festival: City Hall, 300 Park Avenue
Parade: Community Center, 223 Little Falls Street
The City of Falls Church, Virginia celebrates Memorial
Day with a day full of activities for the whole family.
Enjoy amusement and pony rides, arts and crafts
booths, live entertainment, food, and a community
parade. Live musical entertainment will be provided
by Shenandoah Run and the City of Falls Church
Concert Band.
38TH ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY JAZZ FESTIVAL
May 25 | 1 p.m.–6 p.m.
Waterfront Park, 1 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA
Program will include entertainment by various bands
and begin with a performance by The Army Blues
Jazz Ensemble, from the U. S. Army Band “Pershing’s
Own.” There will also be food and beverage sales.
WOLF TRAP SUMMER BLAST OFF
May 24 | 8 p.m., gates open at 6:30 p.m.
Filene Center, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, VA
The park for performing arts kicks off the summer
season with a free performance by the U.S. Marine
Band followed by fireworks. The Filene Center gates
open at 6:30 p.m. Arrive early because the park
closes once capacity is reached.
17TH ANNUAL RIDE OF THE PATRIOTS
May 24 | 6:30 a.m.
Patriot Harley-Davidson, 9739 Fairfax Blvd.
The 17th Annual Ride of the Patriots® to Rolling
Thunder® XXVIII is the largest open ride to Rolling
Thunder. Traditionally, nearly 5000 motorcycles
have joined the Ride of the Patriots to remember
and honor those in uniform who serve bravely
to protect our nation and our liberty. The ride
originates from Patriot Harley-Davidson in the City
of Fairfax and has become the signature event for
the Fairfax, VA Chapter.