Southern California
Queen Mary Salutes U.S. Military Personnel
The Queen Mary will offer FREE admission to all U.S. active and retired military personnel on Memorial Day. General Admission includes a self-guided tour and the Ghosts & Legends Show.
When: Memorial Day Monday, 10 am – 6 pm
Where: Queen Mary, 1126 Queen’s Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802
Cost: Free for retired and active military with ID, regular price for all others
Parking: $12
Info: www.queenmary.com
Check out my Queen Mary Visitors Guide.
Garden Grove Strawberry Festival
Four day festival celebrating everything to do with the humble strawberry. Carnival rides, pageants, Strawberry Idol karaoke contest, Red-Head Roundup Contest, Berry Beautiful Baby Pageant, and, of course, a strawberry-themed parade on Saturday.
When: Memorial Day Weekend, Friday through Monday
Where: The Festival is held at the Village Green, between Euclid and Main Street Streets in downtown Garden Grove, CA
Info: www.strawberryfestival.org, 714-638-0981
Info: www.strawberryfestival.org, 714-638-0981
Cajun Creole Music Festival
in Simi ValleyA full schedule of Zydeco music interspersed with dance lessons, demonstrations, kids area, dog team demonstrations.
When: Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday and Sunday
Where: Rancho Santa Susana Community Park, 5005 Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley, California 93063, see web site for directions and parking.
Info: http://simicajun.org
Info: http://simicajun.org
Colorado
Day of Rock
When: May 26 2:30-9:30pm
Hear live music throughout downtown Denver
Free admission
Info: http://denverdayofrock.com/
Hear live music throughout downtown Denver
Free admission
Info: http://denverdayofrock.com/
25th Annual Boulder Creek Festival
When: May 26-May 28
Three days of music, food, a carnival and The Great Rubber Duck Race
Boulder
Boulder
Free admission
Info: http://www.bceproductions.com/boulder-creek-festival/
Info: http://www.bceproductions.com/boulder-creek-festival/
DC Area
National Memorial Day Concert
When: Sunday, May 27, 2012, 8 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m.
Where: PBS sponsors a FREE concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
The concert features actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise, and other guest artists along with the National Symphony Orchestra
place on the West Lawn of the US Capitol. Co-hosted this year by Joe Mantegna (“Criminal Minds”) and Gary Sinise (“CSI:NY”). Will be broadcast live on PBS. Check local listings.
National Memorial Day Parade
When: Monday May 28, 2pm
Where: Constitution Avenue
This year features Major General Chuck Yeager, USAF (ret), Buzz Aldrin, Joe Mantegna, and Gary Sinise. The focus of this parade is to draw the attention of Americans to the real meaning for the holiday: honoring those who have served, and died, to preserve our liberties.
Rolling Thunder 2012
When: Saturday May 26
Rolling Thunder is an annual motorcycle rally that is held in Washington, DC during the Memorial Day weekend to call for the government’s recognition and protection of Prisoners of War (POWs) and those Missing in Action (MIAs). The best viewing spots are along the Arlington Memorial Bridge and Constitution Avenue. Streets will be closed along the route from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking is limited. Public transportation is suggested. See a guide to using Metro. Stations nearby include Smithsonian, Metro Center, Judiciary Square, Federal Triangle and L’Enfant Plaza.
South Florida
Great American Beach Party
When: Saturday – 11:30am – 9:30pm
Where: A1A & Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale
Join the party as we sing and dance the day away!
All day DJ & Live Bands, Classic Car Show, Kids Zone, Sand Castle Contests, Parachute Demos,
Art Show, Vendors & plenty of FREE fun for the whole family.
Bring your blankets & check out the free showing of American Graffitti under the stars!
Meet Matschie’s Tree Kangaroos
When: Saturday and Sunday, May 26 and 27, 2012, from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Where: Zoo Miami
All the way from Papua, New Guinea – to the Miami Metro Zoo! There will be a bake sale, native island coffee tasting and a chance to win a behind the scenes tour of the zoo – all proceeds help with conservation efforts in New Guinea. Miami Metro Zoo is part of the Super Summer Savings deal visitors can purchase a pass with unlimited access to Miami Metro Zoo, Miami Seaquarium, The Museum of Discovery & Science and Lion Country Safari for a reduced rate through September 2012.
Massachusetts
Zoorassic Park
When: May 26 – Sept. 3. The hours are weekdays, 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and weekends, 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: Franklin Park Zoo
As visitors are immersed in a prehistoric journey through time at Franklin Park Zoo’s Zoorassic Park, they will be enthralled by the vast array of fascinating dinosaurs awaiting them at every turn. With more than 15 moving, roaring, life-like animatronic dinosaurs, including the imposing Tyrannosaurus rex, this is a unique experience not to be missed
Newburyport Spring Fest 2012
When: Sunday & Monday, May 27 & 28 10AM-5PM
Where: Downtown Newburyport
When: Sunday & Monday, May 27 & 28 10AM-5PM
Where: Downtown Newburyport
Held Sunday & Monday of Memorial Day Weekend. Celebrate the season in downtown Newburyport! Enjoy great live music, art, fine crafts, and food from Newburyport’s best restaurants.
Boston Common Memorial Day Flag Garden
When: May 23, 2012 – May 28, 2012
Where: Boston Common
This garden, located at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, consists of 33,000+ flags – one for every military service member from Massachusetts who gave his or her life to our country from the Civil War to the present.
New York
Fleet Week
When: May 23-June 1
Many of the events take place at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum (which charges admission, though military (retired and active) are admitted free), but there are also lots of free activities, including ship tours in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island, performances and demonstrations around New York City.
Governor Island Alliance Family Festival
When: Saturday, May 26, 2012 – 12:00pm – 4:00pmGovernors Island Alliance is kicking off another exciting season on the Island with the 8th annual opening-day Family Festival at Nolan Park, music, theater, dance, arts and crafts, face painting, maritime activities and more. Performances will run throughout the afternoon featuring Astrograss, the Maybelles, Arm of the Sea Theater and the Quantico Marine Corps Band
