Memorial Day in West Michigan
On this Memorial Day, let Wander West Michigan give you a list of all the Wander-ful activities and events you can do in honor of the fallen. If you love parades, concerts and generally honoring those who fought for something bigger than themselves, we have got everything you need to have an honorable and celebratory day for all the families affected by the service of their loved ones.
As you celebrate don’t forget to remember what Memorial Day is about – remembering the men and women that have made the ultimate sacrifice for our people and our beautiful country. If not for our fallen soldiers we would not be able to freely enjoy everything West Michigan has to offer, and for that, we are so grateful!
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Parades and Memorials
Honor our fallen soldiers at one of the many parades and memorials that are being held around West Michigan on Memorial Day. Scroll below to see the different locations!
Allegan
- Monday, May 26 from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
- Allegan County Courthouse, 113 Chestnut St, Allegan
- Monday, May 29 at 9 a.m.
- Hamilton Middle School, 4845 136th Ave, Hamilton
- Monday, May 29 from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m.
- Ace Hardware, 135 N Anderson St, Plainwell
- Monday, May 29 from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m.
- Culver Street, Saugatuck
- Monday, May 29 from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m.
- Wayland State Police Post, 544 N. Main St., Wayland
Barry
- Monday, May 29 from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
- Main Street, Middleville
Hickory Corners Memorial Day Parade
- Monday, May 29 –
Although the parade begins at 10 a.m., guests can enjoy a pancake breakfast at the Hickory Corners Fire Department from 7-9:30 a.m. The parade plans to start on the west end of town near Cadwallader Park, and march through town to the East Hickory Corners Cemetery. Highlights include Shriner’s Mini-T’s, and the Gull Lake and Delton High School bands. Memorial services will be held at East Hickory Corners Cemetery following the parade, with guest speaker Retired Colonel Frank J. Walker and a flyover included.
A pulled pork and hot dog lunch is scheduled to be held at Simmonds-Williams American Legion Post 484. Before the parade, attendees can partake in a Memorial Day pancake breakfast at Hickory Corners Fire Department and Fire Club from 7-9:30 a.m.
Berrien
Memorial Day Parade
- Friday, May 26 – St. Joseph is scheduled to host its annual downtown Memorial Day parade on May 26. The parade is anticipated to begin at 12 p.m., and will travel along Lake Boulevard from Park Street to Port Street. A short memorial ceremony at John E.N. Howard Bandshell is slated to be held after the parade. Veterans and active-duty military are welcomed to walk or ride in the parade. Those interested are asked to call the St. Joe Today office at 269-985-1111, or fill out a form online.
Buchanan Memorial Day Parade
- Monday, May 29 – Buchanan is scheduled to hold a Memorial Day parade Monday at 10 a.m. The parade will line up at DT Buchanan, and end in the Buchanan Cemetery.
Branch
Monday, May 29 – Union City Memorial Day Parade & Cemetery Service
A Memorial Day parade is scheduled to be held in Union City Monday starting at 10:30 a.m. The parade will begin at Union City High School on St. Joseph Street, and will travel through downtown, ending at Riverside Cemetery. It will pause at the North Broadway Street Bridge for a ceremony honoring the Navy and Coast Guard, and will pause for a wreath laying at Veterans Memorial Park, as well as at the First Congregational Church Civil War memorial. A pancake breakfast will be held at the Fire Hall from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Veterans and children under five can attend for free, kids 5-12 can attend for $4, and everyone aged 13 and older can attend for $8. More information can be found online.
Holland
- Holland Memorial Day Parade
The Holland Memorial Day Parade starts at 9:30a.m. on May 26, and starts on 8TH and central. The parade will conclude at the Pilgrim Home Cemetery where there will be a small ceremony held of remembrance and music. You can see their Facebook for more info.
Kent
- Tuesday, May 30 at 6 p.m.
- Division Street, under I-196 in Grand Rapids
- Monday, May 29 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m.
- Main Street, Lowell
- Monday, May 29 at 12 p.m.
- Walker Center, 4151 Remembrance Rd NW, Grand Rapids
Montcalm
- Monday, May 29 at 11 a.m.
- Corner of Egan St. and M-66 in Sheridan
Muskegon
- Monday, May 29 at 12:30 p.m.
- Fruitport Charter Township, 3113 E Pontaluna Rd, Fruitport
2025 Greater Muskegon Parade & Music
- Monday, May 26 at 9 a.m.
- Begins at Morris Street Parking Lot, going up 1st St, turning right on Western Ave, left on 5th St., Left on Clay Ave., concluding at Hackley Park.
Head to Muskegon on Monday, May 30 for the Greater Muskegon Memorial Day Parade. The parade starts at 9 a.m. on Morris Ave and ends at Hackley Park. Following the parade will be a free public event – Musical Memorial Day Ceremony in Fauenthal Center featuring the Mona Shores High School Marching Band. For more information and the full parade route refer to the website.
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Following the parade, enjoy a free musical ceremony featuring the Mona Shores Marching Band at the beautiful Frauenthal Center.
Oceana
- Monday, May 29 at 9 a.m.
- New Era Christian Schools, 1901 Oak Ave., New Era
- Monday, May 29 from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.
- First Street in Pentwater
Ottawa
- Monday, May 29 at 9:30 a.m.
- Main Street in Coopersville
- Monday, May 29 at 9 a.m.
- Baldwin Street in Georgetown Township
- Monday, May 29 at 9:30 a.m.
- 8th Street and Central Ave. in Holland
Jamestown Charter Township Parade
- Monday, May 29 at 10 a.m.
- Jamestown Baptist Church, 2472 Quincy St, Hudsonville
- Monday, May 29 at 9:30 a.m.
- Berlin Fairgrounds, 2008 Berlin Fair Dr., Marne
- Monday, May 29 from 10 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.
- St. Marys, 406 E. Savidge St., Spring Lake
- Monday, May 29 at 9 a.m.
- Main Street and Centennial in Zeeland
BONUS
Milwaukee Clipper Memorial Day Party
- The SS Milwaukee Clipper in Muskegon will be having their Memorial Day Party on May 28 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is $10 and food will be available for $5.
- The Lions Club of Middleville will be holding their Memorial Day Parade on May 30 on Main Street at 10:30 a.m. If you want to grab breakfast before the parade, UMC is having a pancake breakfast from 8-10 a.m.
Walker Memorial Day Parade
Walker’s annual Memorial Day Parade starts at noon on Monday, May 26th at NOON, located at Walker City Hall and continues down Remembrance Rd.
Cascade Township Memorial Day Program
Cascade Township is holding its Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 26, at 10 a.m. outside of the Kent District Library – Cascade Branch.
Wyoming Memorial Day Ceremony
Wyoming will be holding their Memorial Day Ceremony in Wyoming Veterans Memorial Garden (2300 DeHoop Ave. SW) on Monday, May 30 from 7 – 8 p.m. Guests are encouraged to arrive early as well as bring a blanket or lawn chair.
Beaches
With Memorial Day being the unofficial start to summer, it is a great time to check out some of the great beaches and bodies of water that West Michigan has to offer. Here are some of our favorite spots to dip your toes in the sand and catch some rays on Memorial Day in West Michigan.
Holland State Park – offering not one but two beaches, head to Holland State Park and enjoy Ottawa beach on Lake Michigan. Ottawa beach has modern bathrooms, a café with a beach shop, a playground, and picnic areas with grills.
On the other side of the park is the Lake Macatawa Beach area. A more tranquil beach along Lake Macatawa offers bathrooms, picnic areas with grills, and kayak/paddleboard rentals. Both beaches are unique in their way and worth a visit.
Find more information about beaches in the Holland area here!
Grand Haven State Park – Grand Haven State Park has a great sugar sand beach on Lake Michigan, offering a playground, and modern bathrooms, and is located within walking distance of many of the great restaurants and shops Grand Haven has to offer.
For more beaches in the Grand Haven area click here!
Muskegon State Park – Muskegon State Park is home to over two miles of sandy shoreline on Lake Michigan, a perfect way to celebrate Memorial Day in West Michigan.
Check out all the beaches Muskegon has to offer here!
Hoffmaster State Park – In Norton Shores, Hoffmaster State Park offers two miles of Lake Michigan shoreline with two separate designated swimming areas. Leashed dogs are allowed on the beach outside of designated swimming areas.
Millennium Park – Millenium Park is in Walker and is a great option for kids on Memorial Day in Grand Rapids. Millennium Park has a huge beach on Millenium Park Lake, a splash pad for kids, a playground, picnic areas, and boat rentals.
Versluis Park – Versluis Park is on a man-made 50-acre lake in Belmont with a beach, playground, picnic area, and fishing.
Camping
Grab your tent or RV and head to one of these local West Michigan campgrounds for an unforgettable Memorial Day weekend in West Michigan!
Grand Haven State Park – Grand Haven – 174 sites on Lake Michigan
Holland State Park – Holland – two separate campgrounds – Holland Modern Campground with 98 sites on Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa with 211 sites on Lake Macatawa
Hoffmaster State Park – Norton Shores- 297 sites
Muskegon State Park – North Muskegon- two campgrounds – Muskegon Channel Campground with 139 sites and Muskegon Lake Michigan Campground with 106 sites
Conestoga Campground – Coopersville – on the Grand River with 100 sites
Muskegon KOA – Muskegon – Located between two private lakes with great amenities for kids
Allendale/ West Grand Rapids KOA – Allendale – Great amenities for kids and has a pool
Oak Grove Campground and Resort – Holland – RV and cabin campground within walking distance to Lakes Michigan and Macatawa
Wabasis Campground – Greenville – On Wabasis Lake with 75 sites
Woodchip Campground – Byron Center – Campground with a pool and many fun amenities for kids scheduled through the year with 122 sites
Your backyard – Anywhere – Make your backyard into a campground! If you don’t want to deal with the crowds or a reservation at the campgrounds, set a tent up in your backyard. If you have a big enough backyard invite some friends to join, you won’t even know you aren’t at a campground, plus you will have the amenities of indoor plumbing! Grab some s’mores and make some lasting memories with your friends and family!
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Make a Weekend out of it!
Logan Imber
Logan Imber is a self taught Freelance Digital Marketer & Copywriter currently located in Ohio, but works remotely for clients all over the world. She also dabbles in Graphic Design, Web Design and Music. She doesn't like to pin herself down, as there is always something to learn, a culture to take in or new food to eat. In her free time, Logan likes reading, yoga, and spending time with her beloved cat. She also loves playing and sharing music with others. Essentially, most of her time is either spent writing, contemplating, or creating something - and she wouldn't have it any other way.
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- Logan Imber#molongui-disabled-link
- Logan Imber#molongui-disabled-link
- Logan Imber#molongui-disabled-link
