Memorial Day Weekend 2024: Ways To Observe Around Wilmette

WILMETTE, 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.

Before Wilmette's Memorial Day parade, the 30th annual Saint Joseph School and St. Francis Xavier School Jubilee Jog takes to the streets. The 5-kilometer run is due to begin at 8 a.m. on Monday from the parking lot of St. Joseph's School, 1740 Lake Ave.

Here are some observances in and around Wilmette:

Wilmette Memorial Day Parade
10:30 a.m., Monday
Parade route from St. Joseph School to Village Hall, Wilmette

The village's annual Memorial Day parade is scheduled to head east on Lake Avenue to Park Avenue, south on Park to Wilmette Avenue and then east on Wilmette Avenue to Village Hall. A memorial ceremony will follow at Village Hall. Temporary road closures are planned along the parade route from 10:20 a.m. until about 11:30 a.m.

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. The event will be relocated to the Skokie School auditorium in case of rain.

Evanston Memorial Day Ceremony
10 a.m. - noon, Monday
Fountain Square, Davis Street at Sherman and Orrington Avenues, Evanston

Hosted by the Evanston American Legion Post 42, the ceremony is set to include non-denominational reflections, singing and speeches from leaders of local veterans group and Tech. Sgt. William Snell of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7186..

Skokie Memorial Day Observance
11 a.m., Monday, May 27, 2024
Village Green, 5155 Oakton St., Skokie

Coordinated by the Skokie Fire Department, the observance is due to feature participation from local veterans' posts, Scouts and the honor guards of the Skokie Fire and Police departments. The ceremony will also include a performance of "The Star Spangled Banner" and "Taps," a rifle salute and remarks from Mayor George Van Dusen.

Wilmette Closures

Village 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. All waste services will be postponed by one day.

Parking: Temporary road closures are planned along the parade route starting at about 10:20 a.m. and continuing through about 11:30 a.m. Village Hall will remain closed until the completion of the Memorial Day Ceremony.

Park District facilities: Administration offices and the tennis club will be closed from Saturday to Monday. Centennial Pools will be open from 1-6 p.m. all weekend, while the Centennial Ice Rinks will follow their regular schedule on Saturday and Sunday but will be closed on Monday. The Community Recreation Center's front desk will be open for regular schedules on Saturday and Sunday, but closed on Monday. The Center Fitness Club will operate as usual on Saturday and Sunday, and will be open from 7 am to noon on Monday. The Lakeview Center will remain open according to its regular schedule throughout the weekend, while the Mallinckrodt Center will be closed from Saturday to Monday.

Beaches: Swimming opens Memorial Day weekend at Gillson Park, including at its newly fenced-off South Beach. Admission is $5 per Wilmette residents and $10 for non-residents. No cash is accepted.

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