Memorial Day Weekend 2024: Ways To Observe Around Highland Park

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — As the Chicago area prepares to embark on the unofficial start of summer, north suburban communities have announced ceremonies and closures planned to coincide with Memorial Day.

Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed on the last Monday in May, honoring those who have died in military service to the United States.

The tradition began after the Civil War, when communities started holding tributes to fallen soldiers by decorating their graves with flowers in springtime.

Over the years, the holiday has evolved to include parades, ceremonies and moments of reflection to honor American military personnel for their service.

Here are some observances in and around Highland Park:

Highland Park Memorial Day Observance
11 a.m., Monday
Highland Park High School, 433 Vine Ave.

Veteran William Joe Wallace, members of Jewish War Veterans Post No. 29 and Hank Schotanus, a retired Highland Park police officer and former U.S. Marine, will all be honored as local heroes in the city's annual Memorial Day observance. Planned in partnership with American Legion Post No. 145, Jewish War Veterans Post No. 29, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4737, the event will feature a reading from retired Air Force Maj. Laura Joyce-Hubbard, the city's poet laureate, a performance from the HPHS band and a bell ceremony to honor local veterans who have died.

Highwood Memorial Day Ceremony
10:30 - 11 a.m., Monday
Highwood City Hall, 17 Highwood Ave.

The city of Highwood and Highwood American Legion Post No. 501 are hosting a memorial day ceremony at City Hall to recognize and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States.

Fort Sheridan Ceremonies
Fort Sheridan National Cemetery, Vattman Road off Sheridan Roads

A fallen hero Memorial Day wreath planting will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday at the cemetery. A ceremony is also scheduled at Fort Sheridan Cemetery from 1 - 2 p.m. Sunday, according to the Veterans Administration. American Legion McKinlock Post No. 264 of Lake Forest also traditionally conducts a memorial service each Memorial Day at Fort Sheridan Cemetery and places American flags on veterans’ graves.

Glencoe Memorial Day Ceremony
11 a.m., Monday
Veterans' Memorial Park, 299 Park Ave.

The village and Glencoe Historical Society are set to honor local residents who have died in service to the country at Veterans' Memorial Park, east of the train station next to Glencoe Union Church. The event will be moved to the Takiff Center in case of rain.

Winnetka Memorial Day Parade
10 a.m. - noon, Monday
Parade route from Glendale Avenue and Elm Street to Village Green, Winnetka

The parade heads east on Elm Street from Glendale to Village Green for a ceremony scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. U.S. Army Capt. Matt Scachman will delivery a welcome, students from North Shore Country Day and New Trier High School will perform and U.S. Air Force Reserve Maj. John Hoff will deliver an address. Village staff said the event will be monitored by public safety officials in real-time using a drone. The ceremony will be relocated to the Skokie School auditorium in case of rain.

Lake Forest Memorial Day Observances

American Legion McKinlock Post 264 in Lake Forest will host a series of observances on Monday, starting with a 6 a.m. meetup at Market Square to begin placing flags, with volunteers returning to retrieve the flags at 4 p.m. Flags will also be posted at the graves of veterans, with a subsequent flag pickup planned for May 30. A Memorial Day observance is planned at Market Square at 11 a.m., to be followed by honor guard services at Lake Forest Cemetery at 12:30 p.m., Saint Mary’s Cemetery at 1 p.m., and Saint Patrick Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. Those interested in volunteering can contact the local American Legion post at 847-234-9870.

Memorial Day Weekend in Highland Park, Highwood

City and park district staff announced the following facility closures and schedule changes for Memorial Day Weekend.

Refuse collection: There will be no collection services on Memorial Day. Refuse collection will take place one day later than usual for the rest of the week, with Friday pickup taking place on Saturday.

Park District facilities: Hidden Creek AquaPark marks its opening day Saturday, offering lap swimming from 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and open swim from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with adjusted hours on Monday to close at 5 p.m. The Centennial Ice Arena and Deer Creek Racquet Club will be closed from Saturday, May 25, through Monday, May 27. The Heller Nature Center will have its building open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday but will be closed on Sunday and Monday, though its trails will remain open from dawn to dusk all weekend. The Highland Park Golf Learning Center, Recreation Center of Highland Park, River's Edge Mini Golf, and Rosewood Beach will maintain regular hours on Saturday and Sunday, but will have reduced holiday hours on Monday.

Beaches: Rosewood Beach opens for the 2024 season on on Saturday. Resident and non-resident daily and season beach passes are available. Season passes are free to Highland Park residents and available for pickup at the rec center, 1207 Park Ave. West, and, starting Saturday, at Hidden Creek AquaPark, 1220 Frederick Place, and Rosewood Beach, 883 Sheridan Road.

Read more: 2024 Chicago Area Summer Beach Guide to Lake Michigan’s Best Beaches