Skokie 2019 Memorial Day Guide: Parade, Pancakes And Closures

SKOKIE, 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 on behalf 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.

In Skokie, the village is hosting a Memorial Day observance at 11 a.m. Monday at Veterans Park at the intersection of Lincoln and Cleveland avenues. "Taps" will be performed and local veterans posts will be present at the ceremony.

In Lincolnwood, the village and American Legion Post 1226 are holding a parade starting around 10:20 a.m. at the corner of Cicero and Pratt avenues. The route will proceed east on Pratt Avenue, north at Keeler Avenue and end in Proesel Park. A ceremony will take place in Madeleine's Garden at about 11 a.m. Children aged 8 and under are invited to ride in the parade on bikes, trikes, wagons or scooters with patriotic decorations.

Here's a look at what's open and what's closed in Skokie for Memorial Day 2019:

• Village, 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.
• Public Libraries: Closed.
• 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 Sunda. 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.