Memorial Day Weekend 2024: Ways To Observe Around Winnetka, Glencoe

WINNETKA-GLENCOE, 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 New Trier Township:

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.

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.

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.

Memorial Day Weekend in Winnetka, Glencoe

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. Refuse collection will take place one day later than usual until Friday, when both Thursday and Friday pickups will take place.

Beaches: Glencoe Beach opens for its preseason May 25. Season and daily passes are available. Winnetka's swimming beaches open for the season May 25. Day passes and season beach pass applications are available.

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