Memorial Day ceremonies that are taking place across Arizona.
Anthem
A Day of Remembrance in Anthem
Monday, May 28
9 a.m.
Anthem Community Park
41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway
The Daisy Mountain Veterans and Anthem Community Council host this ceremony at the Anthem Veterans Memorial. Ceremony includes speakers, music and a POW/MIA ceremony. Roses will be placed on the pavers of those who were killed in action. Ceremony concludes with playing of “Taps.” 623-742-6050, onlineatanthem.com.
Apache Junction
Memorial Day Picnic
Monday, May 28
Noon – 2:30 p.m.
Apache Junction High School
2525 Ironwood Drive, Apache Junction
$8-$12
Parents, alumni, volunteers, friends and fans of the Arizona Academy of the Performing Arts can enjoy a picnic lunch featuring hot dogs, beans, salad and dessert. The Academy Youth Guard, Phenom SoundSport and each section of the Academy Drum and Bugle Corps will perform. Performances are at 1 and 2:30 p.m. Purchase tickets online in advance. Lunch available from noon-2 p.m. 480-838-4203, arizonaacademy.org.
Crown King
World’s Shortest Memorial Day Parade in Crown King
Sunday, May 27
Noon
Free
This annual event honors military veterans but all are invited to join. From Phoenix, take Interstate 17 north to Bloody Basin Road (Exit 259). Follow Forest Road 259 (Crown King Road) for 24 miles to Crown King. It’s a rough, narrow unpaved road with sharp switchbacks. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended. 928-632-7911, CrownKingAz.com.
Fort Huachuca
Fort Huachuca Memorial Day ceremony
May 28
11:00 a.m.
Post Cemetery
Free
Fort Huachuca honors America’s Veterans and salutes fallen service members during its annual Memorial Day ceremony free and open to the public. Due to limited parking at the cemetery, shuttle service will be provided from the parking lots at Christy and Shipp Avenues and Hines and Andrews Roads. Maj. Gen. Robert Walters, commanding general of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca, is the speaker for the event. The Widowed Support Center, Gold Star Wives and the Society of Military Widows will dedicate wreaths to fallen service members. A member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will read VFW General Order #1. The Military Intelligence Corps Band provides music for the event and a rifle squad from the Fort Huachuca Select Honor Guard renders the 21-gun salute. At noon, a firing battery from the Fort Huachuca Select Honor Guard will render the National Salute with five canons located on Reservoir Hill.
Gilbert
Gilbert Historical Museum Memorial Day event
Monday, May 28
9-10 a.m.
Gilbert Historical Museum
10 S. Gilbert Road
Call for prices
The Gilbert Historical Society and American Legion Post 39 host this morning of celebration and remembrance. The event will include a flag and wreath ceremony, musical performances and speakers. 480-926-1577, gilbertmuseum.org.
Laveen
Star Spangled Celebration in Laveen
Friday, May 25
5-9 p.m.
Cesar Chavez Park
7858 S. 35th Ave., Laveen
The Star Spangled Celebration is a free community event honoring veterans, police and firefighters who died in the line of duty. The event features informational booths, children’s activities, police and fire demonstrations, live music and a fireworks show. phoenixheroes.org.
Peoria
Memorial Day weekend at Lake Pleasant
May 25-28
Varying times and activities
$6 park entry fee, prices for activities vary
Pleasant Harbor Marina
8708 W. Harbor Blvd., Peoria
Pleasant Harbor Marina and RV Resort has camping, a clubhouse with a pool and a full-service marina. Memorial Day weekend activities include a daily boat cruise, live music and more. 602-269-0077, pleasantharbor.com.
Phoenix
Memorial Day with Pioneers’ Cemetery Association
Monday, May 28
9 a.m.
Pioneer and Military Memorial Park
14th Avenue and Jefferson Street, Phoenix
Free
The Pioneers’ Cemetery Association presents its annual Memorial Day observance with Marty Manning as master of ceremonies. Free public parking available at Wesley Bolin Plaza. After the ceremony, attendees can tour the cemeteries and visit the historic Smurthwaite House. 602-534-1262, azhistcemeteries.org.
Flags for Our Fallen
Monday, May 28
5-9 a.m.
23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix
Free to participate; $10 each or three for $25 to sponsor flags
More than 200 bikers with 500 American flags will pay tribute to those who have served our country. Camping is available starting Friday, May 25, through the holiday weekend. Riders arrive at 4 a.m. on Memorial Day. The ceremony will begin at 8 a.m. Registration and flag-sponsorship details are online. ridersusa.net.
National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona
Monday, May 28
Begins at 8 a.m.
National Memorial Cemetery
23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix
National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona commemorates the day as does many other VA national cemeteries across the country. Free. www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/nmca.asp.
American Indian Veterans National Memorial
Mondays-Saturdays 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays
2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
Free to see the memorial in the courtyard outside the museum Museum admission is $7.50-$18
The memorial to American Indian veterans is outside of the Collector’s Room of the Heard Museum Shop. It consists of several sculptures by acclaimed Chiricahua Apache sculptor Allan Houser and Michael Naranjo. Several bronze-colored panels detail the story of American Indians in conflicts from the 17th century to the 21st century and pay tribute to American Indians who received the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration. . 602-252-8848, heard.org.
Prescott
Prescott Off Street Festival
Saturday, Sunday
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Monday
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
117 W. Goodwin St., Prescott
Free
This festival includes more than 100 vendors showing and selling their arts and crafts. Motorists might appreciate the fact it’s set up on a lot behind the Chamber of Commerce, thus not impeding traffic around Courthouse Square. 928-445-2000, prescott.org.
Memorial Day Observance
Monday, May 28
Citizens Cemetery
815 E. Sheldon St. Prescott
Free
Yavapai Cemetery Association presents the annual Memorial Day observance at Citizens Cemetery. It includes patriotic speeches plus music by Veterans Memorial Pipers, High Mountain Chordsmen and Prescott Brass Ensemble. There also will be a presentation of flags by Camp Verde Cavalry and Arizona Rough Riders, a flag raising, volley and echo taps by American Legion Post 6. 928-713-8807 ww.yavapai.us/ycc/citizens-cemetery.
Scottsdale
Memorial Day service at Green Acres
Monday, May 28
10-11 a.m.
Green Acres Mortuary and Cemetery
401 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale
Free
The annual service includes a warbird flyover, posting of colors, bagpiper, wreath and flag presentation, and guest speakers.480-945-2654, greenacresmortuary.net.
Sierra Vista
Sips & Skies
Saturday, May 26
11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Park,
3105 E. Fry Blvd., Sierra Vista
$15
Sample Arizona’s best vintages, craft brews and spirits. Music performances take place on stage during festival hours. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. 800-288-3861.
Tucson
Splendido Veteran’s Memorial Day Remembrance
May 28
5 p.m.
Alonzo’s Dining Room at Splendido at Rancho Vistoso
13500 N. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Tucson
More than 100 Splendido resident Veterans, including 25 WWII Veterans, from all military branches of the armed services on Monday,
The 10 member Veteran’s Committee will host the event and Marine Colonel and Splendido resident, Charlie Carr, will be speaking. Oro Valley Boy Scout Troop 299 will perform a flag ceremony. Splendido Singers 15 member chorus will be singing patriotic songs and residents will stand and be recognized when the service song for their branch is played.
Memorial Day Ceremony at the Tucson VA
Wednesday, May 30
Starting at 10 a.m.
R.E. Lindsey Jr. Auditorium
Building 4 at 3601 South 6th Ave., Tucson
The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) to hold its annual Memorial Day Ceremony. The Tucson VA’s Memorial Day Ceremony will pay tribute to all service members who sacrificed their lives in defense of the Nation. This year’s guest speaker for the ceremony will be the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) Assistant Director, Mr. Steven Sample. All Veterans, Tucson VA staff and the public are invited to attend the ceremony.
East Lawn Palms Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony
Monday, May 28
9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
East Lawn Palms Cemetery
Near Section 35
5801 East Grant Road, Tucson
The Memorial Day service is for all veterans. A ritual ceremony will be presented by VFW Post 4903. The Sons of Orpheus will perform. A color presentation will be presented by the Sons of the American Revolution and Piper Tammy Simmons followed by a rifle salute.
BBQ immediately following the ceremony. Bring your lawn chair and join us. For more information or to RSVP, please contact terry.byron@sci-us.com or 520-745-4601.
Funeraria Del Angel South Lawn Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony
May 28
9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
South Lawn Cemetery
5401 South Park Ave, Tucson
The Memorial Day service for all veterans. A ritual ceremony will be presented by VFW Post 549. The Tucson Concert Band will perform. A color presentation with Piper William Don Carlos followed by a rifle salute. The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 106 will have a Memorial Museum on display featuring all local fallen heroes, past and present. For more information or to RSVP, please contact terry.byron@sci-us.com or 520-745-4601.