Memorial Day is Monday, and many parades and memorials are taking place in Lake and McHenry counties to honor our fallen soldiers.
Below is a list of some of the Memorial Day events residents can attend to honor those in Lake and McHenry counties:
Lake County
Fox Lake Observance: 11 a.m. Monday, Grand Avenue and Nippersink Boulevard; second ceremony to follow at American Legion Post, 703 at 703 Route 12.
Grayslake Memorial Day Parade: 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 26. Parade starts at 9:30 a.m. near the Grayslake Central High School parking lot on Lake Street, travels south on Lake Street to Junior Avenue, then east to Memorial Park. Service follows the parade. www.grayslakevillagecenter.com.
Island Lake Memorial Day commemoration: 3 p.m. Monday, May 26, at Veterans Park, 332 W. State St. Event starts with a moment of silence, followed by taps and an opening prayer by American Legion Post 911 Chaplain Barry Desfor. Mayor Richard McLauglin will give remarks. Parking: Island Drive by Victory Garden. www.facebook.com/VillageofIslandLake.
Lake Zurich Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony: 11 a.m. on Monday, May 26, at the Veterans Memorial at the Lake Zurich Police Department, 200 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. www.lakezurich.org.
Lincolnshire Memorial Day Commemoration: 10 a.m. Monday, May 26, at Spring Lake Park, 49 Oxford Drive, Lincolnshire. Remember the fallen military and honor veterans. Boy Scouts will retire worn American flags at the end of the ceremony. Free. www.lincolnshireil.gov.
Lindenhurst Memorial Day Ceremony: The ceremony will take place Monday, May 26, at 10 a.m. at the Paul Baumunk Lindenhurst Veterans’ Memorial at 2301 E. Sand Lake Road. Keynote Speaker is Lindenhurst Police Chief Melinda Linas. In the case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved inside the Public Works Garage. www.lindenhurstil.org.
Mundelein Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony and Parade: 10 a.m. Monday, May 26, at the Mundelein Metra Station, 205 N. Archer Ave. The parade lineup at 9:15 a.m. at the station heads west on Division Street and ends at Memorial Park at approximately 10:30 a.m. Includes Honor Guard rifle salute, Mundelein High School Marching Mustangs, and “Amazing Grace” by bagpipers. www.mundelein.org.
Rolling Thunder 35th annual Mid-America Parade: 10 a.m. Sunday, May 25, at the Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, 3001 Green Bay Road, North Chicago. The 54-mile ride, hosted by Illinois Chapters 1 and 2, is free and open to any motorcyclist; donations go to veteran causes and POW/MIA education efforts. Registration and staging begin at 8:30 a.m. Featuring large POW/MIA and American flags fluttering from the backs of bikes, the northern Illinois ride will go from North Chicago to Cantigny Park in Wheaton, passing the Hines VA Hospital along the way. Planned route goes through Knollwood, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Highland Park, Northbrook, Glenview, Morton Grove, Niles, Norwood Park, Union Ridge, Dunning, Elmwood Park, Oak Park, River Forest, Maywood, Broadview, Westchester, Oakbrook Terrace, York, Glen Ellyn, Winfield, and Wheaton. The ride is scheduled rain or shine. Once at Cantigny, participants can visit the First Infantry Division Museum, which is free. There also will be an exclusive, ride-participants-only showing of the 2009 film “Taking Chance,” starring Kevin Bacon as a military escort accompanying the body of a 19-year-old Marine back to his Wyoming hometown. Join a candlelight vigil at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 24, at Fort Sheridan National Cemetery on Vattman Road in Lake Bluff. All are welcome. www.rollingthunderil2.org.
Round Lake Beach: The Village of Round Lake Beach invites the community to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation at the annual Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony on Monday, May 26. The ceremony begins at 11:00 AM at the Veterans Memorial Park (Clarendon & Cedar Lake Rd ). Attendees are encouraged to arrive by 10:30 AM. www.villageofroundlakebeach.com
Veterans of Lake Barrington Shores Memorial 5K: 8 a.m. Sunday, May 25, at the Market Place Shopping Center, Market Place Road, Lake Barrington. The event features a brief veteran-led ceremony of remembrance before the running of the 5K race through the Lake Barrington Shores community. Proceeds benefit the initiatives of the Veterans of Lake Barrington Shores and the Tunnel 2 Towers Foundation. $50; $25 for active duty, reserve, veteran, police, and fire personnel. www.memorial5k.com.
Wauconda Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony: Kicks off at 10 a.m. Monday, May 26, at Homer T. Cook Memorial Park, 600 N. Main St. Event is hosted by American Legion Post 911, celebrating its 74th year. The parade heads south on Main Street and ends at Route 176. Main Street closes for vehicle traffic at 9:15 a.m. The Memorial Day remembrance ceremony follows at noon at Memorial Park, Route 176 and Main Street. www.alpost911.org.
Waukegan Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony: Runs from 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, May 26, in Veterans Plaza, 15 S. Park Ave., Waukegan. The parade will step off from 1 S. Genesee St. and travel west on Washington Street. The parade concludes at Veterans Plaza, where the ceremony will take place.
The Lake Villa VFW Post 4308, Boy Scout Troop 323, and Cub Scout Pack 323 will be hosting this year’s Memorial Day Parade at 12:00 p.m. Lineup begins at 11:00 a.m. at Palombi Middle School, 133 McKinley Avenue, Lake Villa. The parade route is McKinley Avenue North to Burnett Avenue to Sherwood Avenue to Grand Avenue to Cedar Avenue, ending on Railroad Avenue by the Lake Villa VFW.
McHenry County
Field of the Fallen flag display and memorial, Cary: Closing ceremony at 5 p.m. Monday, 3340 Three Oaks Road, Cary. Presented by the Veterans Network Committee of Northern Illinois.
Cary Parade and Ceremony: Cary-Grove Amvets Post 245 parade kicks off at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, First Street and Three Oaks Road, then runs south to Park Avenue. The ceremony follows at Cary Veterans Park.
Crystal Lake Parade and Ceremony: Parade begins at 11 a.m. at Crystal Lake Central High School, 45 W. Franklin St. Runs east on Franklin Avenue, north on Williams Street, and west on Woodstock Street to Union Cemetery on Dole Ave. Service will begin at noon, featuring speaker Daniel Baggio.
Fox River Grove Parade and Ceremony: Cary-Grove Amvets Post 245 hosts the parade, beginning at 8:30 a.m., at Algonquin Road School. The route continues along Algonquin Road to South River Road and stops at Lions Park for a remembrance ceremony.
Harvard: William Metzen American Legion Post 265 will conduct the annual ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 206 E. Front St. Guest speaker is Police Chief Tyson Bauman. The event moves to the main gymnasium at Harvard High School in case of inclement weather.
Huntley Observance: 11 a.m. to noon Monday at Huntley Veterans Memorial at the corner of Church and Main streets. The event is hosted by American Legion Post 673.
Johnsburg Parade and Ceremonies: The Memorial Parade kicks off at 9 a.m. Monday at 3309 N. Chapel Hill Road. The opening ceremony and comments from Village President Edwin Hettermann start the event, followed by the parade. Parade leaves Chapel Hill Road and runs to the Johnsburg Community Club’s Armed Forces Memorial at 2315 W. Church St. for a concluding ceremony. The Johnsburg Lions Club picnic will follow.
Lake in the Hills American Legion Annual Memorial Day Pig Roast: Starts a noon and runs until 5 p.m. at American Legion Post 1231, 1101 W. Algonquin Road. The event will feature a flag-raising at noon and the pig roast starting at 1 p.m. Includes live music and a bags tournament.
Marengo Ceremony and Cemetery Walk: Memorial Day ceremony starts at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Marengo City Cemetery, 101-199 N East St. After the ceremony, the Marengo Society for Historic Preservation will sponsor a Cemetery Walk to honor the graves of 10 Marengo soldiers who died while serving in the Civil War. Biographies and a map will be provided for this self-guided tour.
McHenry: 10 a.m. Monday at Veterans Memorial Park, 3400 Pearl St.
Richmond: 10:30 a.m. Monday at Stevens Park at Broadway and Main streets. The event is hosted by American Legion Post 253, and includes free coffee and doughnuts to follow at Richmond Cafe, 10321 N. Main St.
Spring Grove: 9 a.m. Monday at Horse Fair Park, 8105 Blivin St., Free coffee and doughnuts will be offered at the pavilion. The village also asks people to observe the one-minute National Moment of Remembrance pause at 3 p.m.
Woodstock Parade: Kicks off at 10 a.m. and runs through noon on the Woodstock Square, 121 W. Van Buren St., on Monday.