May 27th is Memorial Day, marking the unofficial start to summer all over the country. Join us in White Lake for a schedule full of events and activities for families, couples, friends, and the community.
Celebrate the Start of the Summer Season in White Lake!
Friday, May 24th @ 7pm – 9pm: Live Music by the Galen Bundy Trio
Enjoy a glass of your favorite wine and live music by the Galen Bundy Trio at Montague’s Book Nook & Java Shop.
Saturday, May 25th @ 11am – 2pm: Memorial Day Beach Party
Come to a free beach party at Tannery Bay’s private beach. The event will feature beautiful views of Lake Michigan, food from Pekadill’s of Whitehall, and plenty of games and fun!
Saturday, May 25th @ 1pm – 3pm: Learn How to Make Biscotti!
Mmm biscotti! This classic Italian cookie can be pricey when purchased at the store or bakery — so why not learn to make it yourself instead! Click the link to pre-register for this fun and educational cooking class held at the local Art of Cookery culinary school.
Saturday, May 25th @ 7pm – 9pm: Live Music by Mystic Dub
Enjoy live music by international recording artist Mystic Dub at Montague’s Book Nook & Java Shop.
Saturday, May 25th @ 8pm – 11pm: Live Music by Matt Gabriel
Have a local brew from Fetch Brewing in Whitehall while taking in the sweet sounds of Matt Gabriel.
Saturday, May 25th @ 8pm – 11pm: Live Music by Dave Burel
Enjoy a cold one and some excellent live music by Dave Burel at Jimmy’s Pub in Montague.
Saturday, May 25th – Monday, May 27th – Michigan’s Adventure Opens!
Opening weekend at Michigan’s Adventure starts Saturday, May 25th! All weekend, enjoy awesome rides and slides for all ages — plus games, prizes, food vendors, and much more!
Michigan’s Adventure is two parks rolled into one. Enjoy both the cool, refreshing waters of the WildWater Adventure water park and the exciting coasters and rides of Michigan’s Adventure Amusement Park. All you need is one ticket! Michigan’s Adventure is located just 10 minutes south of White Lake by car.
Memorial Day Parades & Tributes
Each year, communities all over the nation commemorate Memorial Day with parades, ceremonies, and community events. In West Michigan, it’s no different. If you are interested in attending an area parade, we recommend:
The Greater Muskegon Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 27th, 2019 @ 9am – 10am
Downtown Muskegon, MI 49440
* Parade begins at Morris St. and ends at Hackley Park
Immediately following the parade, a free musical event will be held at the historic Frauenthal Center in Downtown Muskegon. This event will feature music by the Mona Shores Marching Band as well as a guest speaker and tribute to veterans.
Other Memorial Day parade events include the annual Grand Haven Memorial Day Parade and Fruitport’s Memorial Day Parade, held as a part of the annual Fruitport Old Fashioned Days festival.
Finally, don’t forget that Michigan’s Adventure will host a Tribute to the Armed Forces May 26th through the 27th. On both of these days, admission fees will be waived for all retired and active members of U.S. Armed Forces the National Guard and Reserve.
In addition, immediate family members of military personnel can receive their admission tickets at the discounted price of $27 (up to 6 immediate family member tickets per service member). Learn more by visiting the link above.
A History of Memorial Day
While Memorial Day does mark the unofficial kick off to the summer season all over the nation — just as Labor Day marks the end of summer — it is of course, first and foremost, an important national holiday with special significance for Americans. On this day, we honor those who died in service for our country as well as active and retired service members.
Originally, Memorial Day was called Decoration Day. It was founded over 150 years ago in 1868 (3 years after the conclusion of the American Civil War). “Decoration Day” was established as a day to honor the war’s fallen soldiers and was initially observed on May 30th.
Tradition dictated that fallen soldiers’ graves should be decorated on this day. Therefore, May 30th was the perfect choice in that flowers would certainly be in bloom all around the nation. Today, Memorial Day is always observed on the last Monday in May.