On Memorial Day we remember those who died in active military service by placing American flags on graves, wearing poppies and attending parades featuring marching bands, military vehicles and veterans. The federal holiday is observed on the last Monday in May, with many parades and celebrations taking place in the days leading up.
Here is a list of Memorial Day parades and events taking place around Nassau County. We will update this list as details become available:
Saturday, May 26
Town of North Hempstead Memorial Day Fireworks and Commemoration Ceremony
6:30 p.m. Featuring fireworks display by Santore Fireworks, musical entertainment from Wonderous Stories and special guests, DJ performance, Carle Place High School students will sing the national anthem, Cub Scouts Pack 221 will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Parking fee: $10. Veterans and active duty military park free. North Hempstead Beach Park, 175 W Shore Rd., Port Washington. More info: www.northhempsteadny.gov or call 311 or 516-869-6311
Fleet Week Aviation Event
10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Navy Band Northeast’s “Brass Band” will perform from noon to 1 p.m at Eisenhower Park during the aviation event. Free and open to the public. Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. More info: Fleet Week NY
New Hyde Park Memorial Day Parade
10 a.m. Assemble in the parking lot on Lakeville Road. Parade proceeds to Village Hall and then to Memorial Park.
Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27
15th annual Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. See the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds, GEICO Skytypers, SUNY Farmingdale State College Flying Rams and a variety of world-class performers. Click here for the lineup. Vehicle fee: $10. Jones Beach, Wantagh. More info: bethpageairshow.com or airshow.jonesbeach.com
Decoration Day
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A remembrance for those who died for our nation. Event features historic craft demonstrations, brass band concerts and a ceremony and parade at 2:15 p.m. Old Bethpage Village Restoration, 1303 Round Swamp Rd., Old Bethpage. Contact: 516-572-8401. More info: OBVR
Sunday, May 27
Inwood Memorial Day Parade
12 p.m. Hot Dogs and soda for all. Parade begins at Inwood Rail Road Station parking lot, proceeds on Doughty Blvd. to Pfc. John J. Oliveri V.F.W. Post 1582 Headquarters at Mott Ave. More info: Facebook
133rd annual Hempstead Memorial Day Parade
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Everyone is invited. Bring your banners, floats and more.
Legion Square, 160 Marvin Ave., Hempstead. Contact Juanita Hargwood at 516-478-6286. More info: Village of Hempstead
Patriots’ Day and Fireworks
4:30 to 9 p.m. Greis Park, 55 Wilbur St, Lynbrook. More info: Village of Lynbrook
Monday, May 28
Glenwood Memorial Day Parade
9 a.m. Hosted by American Legion Post 366. Veterans are welcome to participate in the Legion’s Color Guard. Begins at Glenwood Landing Fire House. Along the parade will pause for three memorials. Proceeds to the Post at 190 Glen Head Rd., where there will be a brief ceremony. All are invited for refreshments.
Hicksville Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony
9 a.m. Hosted by Hicksville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3211. One of the largest parades on Long Island. Participants assemble in the old Sears parking lot, 195 N Broadway, beginning at 8 a.m. and step off promptly at 9 a.m. Proceeds to Hicksville Middle School, 215 Jerusalem Ave., where ceremonies are held at the Hicksville Middle School’s Veterans’s Memorial Gardens, beginning at approximately 10:30. Contact: Commander William Walden, parade chairman, at 516-931-7843. More info: VFW 3211
Baldwin Memorial Day Parade
9:30 a.m. Begins at Linden Street. Proceeds to Silver Lake Park, where a remembrance ceremony will take place.
Elmont Memorial Day Parade
9:30 a.m. Line up at Sewanhaka High School. March proceeds to Elmont Memorial Library, then returns to Elmont American Legion for hot dogs. Tram will be provided for those who cannot march. 500 Tulip Ave., Floral Park. More info: Facebook
Farmingdale Memorial Day Parade
10 a.m. Begins on Main St.
94th annual Great Neck Memorial Day Parade
9:30 a.m. Honor members of the United States military who have served to protect their country. Parade will feature active military members and veterans, local volunteers, representatives from nonprofits and student music groups. Begins at Middle Neck Road and Susquehanna Avenue. Proceeds to the Village Green. Contact: Suzette Gray at grays@northhempsteadny.gov
Merrick Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony
9:30 a.m. Begins at corner of Merrick Avenue and Veterans (Broadcast) Plaza. Proceeds to Merrick’s Veteran Memorial Park, where ceremony will take place at 10:45 a.m. There will be cars for those who cannot march. Rain or shine. More info: Merrick Post 1282
Plainview-Old Bethpage Memorial Day Parade
9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Bring your family and friends! Begins at 700 Old Country Rd. Proceeds to Plainview-Old Bethpage Community Park on Washington Avenue, followed by ceremony to honor local veterans. Contact: cpatti@northwell.edu More info: Event Brite
Lynbrook Memorial Day Parade
9:45 a.m. Begins at Charles Street and proceeds to Town Hall.
Bellmore/North Bellmore Memorial Day Parade
9:45 a.m. Begins at corner of Bedford Avenue and Pettit Avenue. Proceeds to Newbridge Road School where there will be wreath ceremony. More info: Bellmore Chamber
Carle Place Memorial Day Parade
10 a.m. Hosted by the Carle Place American Legion. Begins at Jamaica Boulevard, between Glen Cove Road and Roslyn Avenue. Proceeds to the corner of Westbury Avenue and Rushmore Avenue for a service at the Carle Place American Legion Memorial. Proceeds to Carle Place Memorial Park, located on the corner of Westbury Avenue and Carle Road, for a service.
East Meadow Memorial Day Parade
10 a.m. Begins at East Meadow High School, 101 Carman Ave. Proceeds to Town of Hempstead Veterans Memorial Park, 1700 Prospect Ave. More info: East Meadow Chamber
East Rockaway Memorial Day Parade
10 a.m. Begins at VFW Hall, 164 Main St. Proceeds to East Rockaway Village Hall, 376 Atlantic Ave.
Franklin Square Memorial Day Parade
10 a.m. Begins at VFW Post 2718, 68 Lincoln Rd. Proceeds to Rath Park, 849 Fenworth Blvd.
Garden City Memorial Day Parade
10 a.m. Begins on Cherry Valley Avenue at 10th Street. Proceeds to Garden City Library, 60 Seventh St.
Levittown Memorial Day Parade and Barbecue
10 a.m. Begins at Island Trees Middle School, 45 Wantagh Ave. Proceeds to Wantagh Park, 1 King Rd., where the Long Island Volkswagon Club will host a barbecue. More info: Facebook
Long Beach Memorial Day Parade
10 a.m. Begins at Ohio Avenue and West Beech Street. Proceeds to Park Avenue in front of City Hall. The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars will be joined by city, county and state officials. More info: Long Beach
Manhasset Memorial Day Parade
10 a.m. Begins on Plandome Road. Ceremony to follow at Manhasset High School.
Massapequa Memorial Day Parade
10 a.m. Join in paying tribute to those who made the supreme sacrifice in defense of our nation. Sgt. Peter F. Colleran Post #7763 Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Post #1066, in cooperation with the Village of Massapequa Park, will conduct the annual parade, which begins at Broadway and Commonwealth Avenue. Proceeds to Brady Park followed by refreshments. Contact: Village Hall at 516-798-0244, ext. 111.
Malverne Memorial Day Parade and Concert
10 a.m. Begins at Church Street. Memorial Ceremony immediately following at the Gazebo at Reese Memorial Park. More info: Village of Malverne
Mineola Memorial Day Parade
10 a.m. Begins at Wilson Park and ends at Mineola Memorial Park, 195 Marcellus Rd., where a ceremony will take place.
Oceanside Memorial Day Parade
10 a.m. Proceeds down Foxhurst Road.
Seaford Memorial Day Parade
10 a.m. Proceeds down Merrick Road.
Uniondale Memorial Day Parade
10 a.m. Proceeds down Uniondale Avenue.
Wantagh Memorial Day Parade
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Begins on Beltagh Ave. near the Wantagh Middle School. Proceeds down Wantagh Avenue to American Legion Hall, 3484 Park Ave., where a ceremony will take place. Rain or shine.
Westbury Memorial Day Parade
10 a.m. Begins Saint Brigid’s Church on Post Avenue. Proceeds to Village of Westbury Community center for a memorial service. Marching in the parade will be veterans’ groups, local village and elected officials, the Westbury Volunteer Fire Department, the Westbury Middle School and High School Bands, Scout groups, service groups, Little League and others.
West Hempstead Memorial Day Parade
10 a.m. Begins at Halls Pond Park. Proceeds down Nassau Boulevard to Echo Park Swimming Complex.
Oyster Bay Memorial Day Parade
10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Hosted by Quentin Roosevelt American Legion Post No. 4. Begins South Street and Adams Street. Proceeds to Derby-Hall Bandstand, where a service will take place. All are welcome afterwards at the Raynham Hall Museum, 20 West Main St., for free ice cream, lemonade, popcorn, old-fashioned games and music. More info: Raynham Hall Museum
Glen Cove Memorial Day Parade
11 a.m. Begins at Monument Park, at the corner of Cottage Row and Ford Street. Proceeds down School Street to downtown Glen Cove. More info: City of Glen Cove
Did we miss any events? Have additional details to share? Email kdijkstra@antonmediagroup.com or leave a comment below.
