Highland Park 2019 Memorial Day Event Schedules, Holiday Closures

HIGHLAND PARK-HIGHWOOD, IL — Memorial Day is an opportunity to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the nation. Now a three-day weekend considered the unofficial kickoff of summer, the holiday began in the wake of the Civil War to honor soldiers who died serving the armed forces of the United States of America.

Originally called Decoration Day, the springtime commemoration for Union veterans was marked by visits to the graves of some of the hundreds of thousands of men who died. In the 150 years since, what is now a federal holiday is often marked by cookouts, parades and weekend getaways.

Highwood is holding a memorial ceremony in downtown Highwood at 10 a.m. on Sunday at City Hall 17 Highwood Ave. sponsored by the local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts. Following the service, the Highwood Historical Society invited the community to visit an exhibit of photos and memorabilia from local veterans of wars in Korean and Vietnam, which will be on display in City Council chambers.

In Highland Park, the city's Memorial Day observance will be held Monday, May 27, at Highland Park High School, 433 Vine Ave. Starting at 11 a.m., the event will feature representatives from local American Legion, Jewish War Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts. Richard Lee, a U.S. Army veteran from the Vietnam War, will be honored. Mayor Nancy Rotering and other guests will speak, and the Highland Park High School bands will perform patriotic music at the HPHS auditorium.

Also at 11 a.m. on Monday, Great Lakes Training Division will host a Memorial Day Ceremony at Fort Sheridan Cemetery. The event is also supported by area fire and police departments, local Boy Scout troops and others. Flags will be placed at the cemetery at 4 p.m. on Friday, according to a request for volunteers from American Legion McKlinlock Post 264.

Here's a look at what's open and what's closed in the Highland Park and Highwood area for Memorial Day 2019:

• City, county, state and federal offices: Closed.
• Refuse collection: No Monday pickup and trash collection will be a day later than usual for the week.
• Banks: Most are closed, with limited hours at some supermarket branches.
• Post offices: Closed. No regular U.S.P.S. mail delivery.
• Highland Park Public Library: Closed.
• Park District of Highland Park: Special holiday hours at park district facilities.
• Restaurants: Most national chain restaurants are open and many will offer free or discounted menu items to active, reserve or retired military personnel.
• Whole Foods: Open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Trader Joe's: Open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Sunset Foods: Open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Jewel-Osco: Open from 6 a.m. to midnight.
• Costco: Closed.

Meanwhile in Chicago, a Memorial Day parade is being held on Saturday, May 25 with a wreath-laying ceremony at 11 a.m. at Daley Plaza before heading south down State Street to Van Buren Street. Bike the Drive is scheduled to take place Sunday. From 5:30 a.m. to about 10:30 a.m., all or parts of the 30-mile road will be closed to motorists for use by cyclists. Memorial Day weekend also marks the unofficial beginning of the summer festival season, with the Chicago House Music Festival, the Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest, Mole De Mayo in Pilsen and the Randolph Street Market all set for the weekend.