2010 Memorial Day Services, Tributes, Parades, and Celebrations
List compiled by Ronda Stiffler
(Feel free to promote your event by listing it in the comments section)
Memorial Day officially began in 1868 when Major General John A. Logan, head of the postwar Union veterans’ group called the Grand Army of the Republic, declared that May 30 be the day, “the choicest flowers of springtime” should be placed on the graves of Union soldiers and sailors who had saved the Union and ended slavery.
Thus General Logan introduced the nation to Decoration Day, a custom originating in the South that honored fallen Confederate soldiers. [More]
Detroit’s first observance of Memorial Day occurred on May 30, 1868 at Elmwood Cemetery. With three days notice, the event was quickly organized. It took place opposite the cemetery entrance with national flags and a stuffed eagle forming the background to speakers and the Fort Wayne band. Source: Historic Elmwood Cemetery History
Join Hometown History Tours and Wheelhouse Detroit for a special Glory, Valor & Sacrifice: SE Michigan Civil War Remembrance Bike Tour on Saturday May 29. Click here to register.
2010 Memorial Day Calendar of Events
May 26-31
Fruitport (Muskegon County) Old Fashioned Days
Looking for old fashioned family fun? Annual event in Muskegon County featuring Carnival Midway rides, a Community Picnic, Old Fashioned Days Parade, Lions Ox Roast, The Grand Lady Riverboat Cruises, Old Fashioned Days Run, Community Marketplace and Garage Sale, live Band Shell Entertainment begins on May 26 and runs through Memorial Day. Call (231) 557-3262 for more details.
May 27
Wayne-Westland Memorial Day Parade
Downtown Westland
Parade begins at Wayne and Avondale Roads at 1 pm and ends Westland City Hall.
May 28
Woodhaven Memorial Day Ceremony
Veteran’s Memorial – Woodhaven City Hall
City of Woodhaven to hold a ceremony honoring our nation’s veterans at 1:00 pm at the Veteran’s Memorial at City Hall.
May 28-31
Civil War Days
Coldwater – Branch County
A four day Memorial Weekend Celebration in Coldwater includes free live music by the 5th Michigan Regimental Band, a Barn Dance, and much more. Reenactors, crafters, and other volunteers are welcome to participate. For further information, click here.
- Greenfield Village CW Days Photo credit: The Henry Ford
May 29-31
Civil War Remembrance Weekend
Greenfield Village and The Henry Ford, Dearborn
Join more than 450 military reenactors in honoring our nation’s veterans at an authentic Civil War encampment with parades, artillery demonstrations and historical music at Greenfield Village. Popular and well attended annual event!
May 29
Trenton’s Memorial Day Parade
Trenton
Trenton’s Memorial Day Parade begins at 10:00 a.m., on West Road starting at Gorno and continues west to Westfield. A Memorial Service will be held immediately after in front of Veteran’s Memorial Library (corner of West & Westfield) For more information call 734-675-1162
May 29
Memorial Day Tribute
The River Raisin Battlefield Visitor Center – Monroe
The River Raisin Battlefield Visitor Center at 1403 E. Elm Ave. will host a Memorial Day Tribute. Further information TBA. 734-240-7780
May 29
Madison Heights Memorial Day Parade
Madison Heights
The Madison Heights parade starts at 12 Mile and John R and goes to 13 Mile and John R in front of the City Hall.
May 30
St. Clair Shores Memorial Day Parade
St. Clair Shores
The 2010 Memorial Day Parade in St. Clair Shores begins at 1:00 pm on Harper Avenue at 9 1/2 Mile and ends at 4:00 pm. Contact Program Book Chairman Mike Kiefer at 586-498-2912 for more details.
May 31
Historic Elmwood Cemetery Memorial Day Parade
Mt. Elliot & Lafayette – Detroit
An annual parade and service arranged by Elmwood Cemetery and the Detroit Fire Department begins at 9:30 am at Mt. Elliot and Lafayette Streets and concludes with a service at the Firemen’s Lot.
May 31
Tecumseh’s Memorial Day Parade
Downtown Tecumseh
Billed as one of the largest Memorial Day parades in Lenawee County, Tecumseh’s 2010 Memorial Day Parade downtown will be followed by a tribute to veterans at historic Brookside Cemetery. For more information, call City Hall at 517-423-2107.
May 31
City of Novi Memorial Day Parade
Novi
The city of Novi’s Memorial Day Parade will begin at Karim Blvd. and Ten Mile Rd. at 10:00 am and end at 48375 West 10 Mile Rd. at 12 noon. For details phone Rachel Zagaroli at 248-347-0414.
May 31
Port Huron Memorial Day Parade
Port Huron
Join Veteran and civic groups, classic cars clubs, the Port Huron and Port Huron Northern High School Bands, and Miss Lake Huron Shores 2010 in celebration beginning at Quay and Huron at 10 am and proceeding north on Huron to Pine Grove Park. Contact Memorial Day Parade Chairman Joseph Herber 810-985-6537 for further information.
May 31
Midland Memorial Day Parade
Downtown Midland
Midland’s Memorial Day Parade will begin at 10 am in downtown Midland.
May 31
Franklin Memorial Day Ceremony
Franklin Cemetery – Franklin
The Franklin Cemetery Association hosts a special day of remembrance in the historic cemetery beginning at 11 am.
May 31
Michigan “Polar Bear” Memorial Day Service
Polar Bear Monument, White Chapel Memorial Cemetery – Troy
Memorial Day service honoring American troops known the “Polar Bear Expedition” made up primarily of servicemen from Michigan and Wisconsin who were sent to Archangel, Russia during World War I to fight off German advances and reopen the Eastern Front. Months after WWI ended, these men were left behind in the frigid Russian tundra to fight Bolshevik revolutionaries. The service takes place at the Polar Bear Monument, White Chapel Cemetery, begins at 11 am. Enter from Long Lake Road (18 Mile).
May 31
Flat Rock Memorial Day Parade
Flat Rock
Flat Rock’s Memorial Day parade will begin at 8:30 am and end at 12 noon.
May 31
Waterford Memorial Day Parade
Downtown Waterford
Waterford’s Memorial Day parade starts at Dixie Highway and Sashabaw Rd. at 9:30 am and winds up at Walton Blvd. at 11:30 am.
May 31
Royal Oak Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony
Downtown Royal Oak
Royal Oak’s parade starts at Main and Harrison Streets, heads north to Second Street, and then east to a post-parade ceremony at the Royal Oak Veteran’s Memorial between City Hall and the Public Library.
May 31
Hazel Park Memorial Day Parade
One mile south of Downtown Hazel Park
Parade begins at 10:00 am at Eight Mile and John R.
Phone: 248-547-5535 for details.
May 31
Ferndale Memorial Day Parade
Downtown Ferndale
Ferndale’s Memorial Day parade starts at 10:00 am at Livernois and West Breckenridge.
May 31
Pleasant Ridge Memorial Day Parade
Downtown Pleasant Ridge
The parade starts at Oakland Park and Ridge Roads at 8:45 am and travels north to Memorial Park.
May 31
Beverly Hills Memorial Day Parade
Groves High School – Village of Beverly Hills
The Beverly Hills parade begins at Groves High School (on 13 Mile Rd) at 11:30 am and proceeds to Beverly Park. Festivities include a carnival at the park featuring rides, games and refreshments; a Four Mile Fun Run and Two Mile Walk begins at 9:30 a.m. and is sponsored by the Beverly Hills Lions Club.
May 31
Eastpointe Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony
Downtown Eastpointe
Eastpointe’s parade begins at 11 a.m. at Aurora and Gratiot and travels north on Gratiot to Stephens, then east to Kennedy Memorial Park, where a remembrance ceremony takes place at approximately 12:30 p.m.
May 31
Auburn Hills American Legion Memorial Day Parade
Downtown Auburn Hills
The parade begins at 11:00 am and ends at 2:00 pm. Lineup begins at 10:30 am in downtown Auburn Hills at Auburn and Squirrel Roads.
May 31
Roseville Memorial Day Parade
Downtown Roseville
The parade, hosted by the VFW, starts at 10 a.m. on Gratiot between Maryland and Florida Streets and follows through to City Hall Plaza.
May 31
Farmington/Farmington Hills Memorial Day Parade
Uptown Farmington Plaza – Farmington
The parade starts at the Farmington Plaza at Grand River Ave. and ends at Memorial Park where a ceremony in remembrance of fallen fire fighters is held.
May 31
Keego Harbor Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade
Veteran’s Memorial Plaza – Keego Harbor
The ceremony starts at 9:30 a.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Plaza followed by a parade at 10:15 that travels along Orchard Lake Road to Sylvan Lake.
May 31
City of Northville Memorial Day Parade
Downtown Northville
The City of Northville’s Memorial Day Parade starts at 10:00 am in downtown Northville near Northville Downs Race Track on Griswold and Main Streets.
May 31
Milford Memorial Day Parade
American Legion Hall – Milford
The parade starts at the American Legion Hall on Commerce Road at 11:00 am and ends with a brief ceremony at Central Park.
May 31
South Lyon Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony
Bartlett Elementary School – South Lyon
The parade begins at Bartlett Elementary School, 350 School Street and goes to the cemetery. At the conclusion of the parade, there is a ceremony honoring all veterans.
May 31
Holly Memorial Day Parade
The parade starts at 10 am at Saginaw Street in the old section of downtown Holly and proceeds to Lakeside Cemetery.
HOMETOWN HISTORY TOURS 