Honor those who have served and have fun by attending one of these cheap Memorial Day Weekend events in Virginia.
Memorial Day serves as an opportunity to honor United States Armed Forces members who have given their lives in service to the country. It also represents the unofficial start of summer. If you’re looking to both recognize the holiday and have a little fun, here are some cheap ways to spend Memorial Day Weekend in Virginia this year.
Northern Virginia
ViVa! Vienna!
Dates: Saturday, May 23, to Monday, May 25
Location: 124 Church St. NE, Vienna
Help the Rotary Club of Vienna and the Town of Vienna support more than 70 local organizations by attending the ViVa! Vienna! charity event. The free event raises money through the Brewfest Beer Garden on Mill Street.
Additional attractions include rides, a food court, vendors, and entertainment from acts like the Vienna Singing Princesses.
26th Annual Ride of the Patriots to “Rolling to Remember”
Date: Sunday, May 24
Location: 9739 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax
The 26th Annual Ride of the Patriots to “Rolling to Remember” offers the Fairfax community the opportunity to honor those who serve, whether it be through the military or as first responders.
The day will start off with a pancake breakfast and an opening ceremony where public officials and those who serve will address attendees. The police escorted Ride of the Patriots will start at 8 a.m. Organizers say that all bikes and bikers are welcome to participate in the ride.
Reston Chorale’s Star-Spangled Salute Concert
Date: Sunday, May 24
Location: 11900 Market St., Reston
Enjoy some patriotism by attending the Reston Chorale’s Star-Spangled Salute Concert from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The performance is meant to honor those who have served and remember their sacrifices.
While the event is free, attendees are encouraged to bring care package items for the troops as a donation. Attendees can also create thank-you cards for military members during the event.
Be sure to bring a lawn chair.
City of Falls Church Memorial Day Parade
Date: Monday, May 25
Location: 300 Park Ave., Falls Church
Honor the country’s fallen heroes and celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary by attending the City of Falls Church Memorial Day Parade from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The free event will start with festival activities, like vendors and rides. The Memorial Day Ceremony with the Greater Falls Church Veterans Council is slated for 11 a.m., followed by the parade down Park Avenue at 2 p.m.
Wreath Laying at the Mercer Monument
Date: Monday, May 25
Location: Washington Ave., Fredericksburg
Celebrate the tricentennial of Hugh Mercer’s birth in 1726 by attending the Wreath Laying at the Mercer Monument for free at 1 p.m. The event aims to bring the community together to remember the legacy of Mercer, a Revolutionary War hero and physician who made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation during the Battle of Princeton.
Guest speaker Ethan Burgess, director of communications at Stratford Hall, will discuss Mercer’s life and legacy.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair.
Coastal Virginia
Memorial Day Weekend Salute to Summer
Dates: Friday, May 22, to Sunday, May 24
Location: 17th, 24th, and 31st Street Parks in Virginia Beach
The Memorial Day Weekend Salute to Summer offers the Virginia Beach community a fun way to kick off the season while also honoring service members. Free concerts from a range of genres will be held at 17th Street Park, 24th Street Park, and 31st Street Park. Attendees can enjoy the concerts in between soaking up the sun and dipping in the ocean.
To salute those who have given their lives to the country, look out for the Heroes’ Walk banners that feature essays from local history students. They feature information on different wars and conflicts the U.S. has been involved in.
The free concerts start each day at 7:30 p.m.
Annual Memorial Day Celebration at Williamsburg Memorial Park
Date: Monday, May 25
Location: 130 King William Dr., Williamsburg
The Annual Memorial Day Celebration at Williamsburg Memorial Park serves as an opportunity to honor all fallen heroes, ranging from members of the armed forces to first responders.
Starting at 10 a.m., the free community event will feature an honor guard presentation, patriotic musical performances, a ceremonial wreath-laying, and guest speakers.
The independent cemetery is located on the grounds of the historic plantation that was owned by Benjamin Stoddert Ewell, the 16th president of the College of William & Mary.
Shenandoah Valley
Shenandoah Memorial Day Festival & Parade
Dates: Friday, May 22, and Saturday, May 23
Location: Town of Shenandoah
The Shenandoah Memorial Day Festival and Parade bring the community together to both recognize those who have served and celebrate the freedom their sacrifices have earned.
The two-day family-friendly event spans a variety of activities, including observances and ceremonies, food, games, activities for children, a car/truck/tractor show, and a community yard and bake sale.
Make sure you attend on Saturday at 4 p.m., when the parade will make its way through portions of Route 340, Maryland Avenue, First Street, and Virginia Avenue. Kate Gordon Short and Maddie Gordon will serve as grand marshals.
6th Annual Veterans in the Park
Date: Saturday, May 23
Location: 870 W Edgemont Dr., Covington
If you’re patriotic and love cars, then the 6th Annual Veterans in the Park car show from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Jackson River Sports Complex is for you. Aimed at supporting local veterans, the proceeds benefit the three VFW halls in the area.
The event will include a car show, food, vendors, activities for children, and a range of prizes, raffles, and 50/50 drawings. One lucky attendee will go home with the $500 cash giveaway.
Live entertainment will be provided by America Honey from 4 to 6 p.m. and Buddy Allen & The Cheat River Band from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The entry fee is $15 for the first vehicle, followed by $1 for each additional vehicle.
Central Virginia
Memorial Day at the D-Day Memorial
Date: Monday, May 25
Location: 3 Overlord CIR, Bedford
Memorial Day at the D-Day Memorial is a more solemn event. The annual event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., is meant to pay tribute to the service members who have given their lives to the country.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair. Admission is free until 12 p.m. Guided tours start at 1 p.m.
This is a special year for the memorial, marking its 25th anniversary. It was established a quarter century ago to preserve the legacy of D-Day. The memorial is based in Bedford, the town from which the “Bedford Boys,” the infantry division that suffered disproportionate losses during WWII, hailed.
Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony
Date: Monday, May 25
Location: 621 S. Belvidere St., Richmond
The Virginia War Memorial Foundation will be welcoming the public to its Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony once again this year from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to recognize the sacrifices made by members of the United States Armed Forces.
The event will feature guest speakers, traditional patriotic music, and, of course, the laying of wreaths in the Shrine of Memory.
While at the memorial, go inside and explore the museum for free.
