Deerfield 2019 Memorial Day Guide: Parade, Pancakes And Closures

DEERFIELD, IL — Memorial Day is an opportunity to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the nation. Now a three-day weekend considered the unofficial kickoff of summer, the holiday began in the wake of the Civil War to honor soldiers who died serving the armed forces of the United States of America.

Originally called Decoration Day, the springtime commemoration for Union veterans was marked by visits to the graves of some of the hundreds of thousands of men who died. In the 150 years since, what is now a federal holiday is often marked by cookouts, parades and weekend getaways.

In Deerfield, the local American Legion post is hosting a Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday at Jewett Park. A ceremony at the Veterans Memorial will be followed by a procession to Deerfield Cemetery and a reading of the names of veterans buried there.

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the American Legion, Deerfield Post 738 is also hosting an open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its 849 Waukegan Road location. The event will feature food, desserts and refreshments. Donations will be collected for Midwest Veterans Closet, and residents were asked to bring food to the post for the open house following the ceremony.

The event at Jewett Park will feature an address from Deerfield Mayor Harriet Rosenthal, a member of the military and will also feature the Deerfield High School Marching Band and members of local Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. After the names of local veterans going back more than 200 years are read, the band will play "Taps," according to the Deerfield Review.

Also on May 27, the Essence of Freedom Challenge, which for the last five years has seen hundreds of runners take to the streets of Deerfield on Memorial Day, is holding a pancake breakfast fundraiser staring at 9 a.m. The race has gone virtual this year, so participants can upload their fastest attempt at running a 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer race and present their bib for free entry to the breakfast.

Here's a look at what's open and what's closed in Deerfield for Memorial Day 2019:

• Village, county, state and federal offices: Closed.
• Refuse collection: No Monday pickup and trash collection will be a day later than usual for the week.
• Banks: Most are closed, with limited hours at some supermarket branches.
• Post offices: Closed. No regular U.S.P.S. mail delivery.
• Deerfield Public Library: Closed.
• Deerfield Park District: Patty Turner Center, Jewett Park Community Center registration desk closed Saturday, May 25, to Monday, May 27. Sachs Recreation Center will have a holiday schedule ending at noon. Jewett Park Community Center will be open 9 a.m. to noon on May 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 26 and will be closed all day Monday.
• Restaurants: Most national chain restaurants are open and many will offer free or discounted menu items to active, reserve or retired military personnel.
• Whole Foods: Open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Trader Joe's: Open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Sunset Foods: Open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Jewel-Osco: Open from 6 a.m. to midnight.
• Costco: Closed.

Meanwhile in Chicago, a Memorial Day parade is being held on Saturday, May 25 with a wreath-laying ceremony at 11 a.m. at Daley Plaza before heading south down State Street to Van Buren Street. Bike the Drive is scheduled to take place Sunday. From 5:30 a.m. to about 10:30 a.m., all or parts of the 30-mile road will be closed to motorists for use by cyclists.

Memorial Day weekend also marks the unofficial beginning of the summer festival season, with the Chicago House Music Festival, the Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest, Mole De Mayo in Pilsen and the Randolph Street Market all set for the weekend.