Wilmette 2019 Memorial Day Events: Parade Route, Closures

WILMETTE, 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.

This year in Wilmette, the Memorial Day parade begins Monday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph School at Ridge Road and Lake Avenue. The route heads east on Lake to Park Avenue before turning south on Wilmette Avenue to Village Hall, where a memorial ceremony will follow the arrival of the procession.

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

• Village, county, state and federal offices: Closed.
• Garbage, Recycling Pickup: Collection will be delayed by one day for the rest of the week in Kenilworth and Wilmette. Collection normally scheduled for Friday will take place on Saturday.
• 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.
• Wilmette Park District: May 25 marks the opening of Wilmette beaches for the season. The Centennial Family Aquatic Center also opens with a preseason schedule. Tickets are now on sale for the Wilmette Beach Bash, set for 6 to 11 p.m. on June 8 at Gillson Beach, with proceeds to benefit the nonprofit Ouilmette Parks Foundation.
• 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.