Evanston 2019 Memorial Day Schedule, What's Open, What's Closed

EVANSTON, 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 on behalf 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 Evanston, American Legion Post 42 will host a ceremony and reflection for the community honoring the nation's fallen servicemembers at Fountain Square. The event begins at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the corner of Sherman Avenue and Davis Street.

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

• City, county, state and federal offices: Closed.
• Refuse collection: No Monday pickup and trash collection will be a day later than usual until Thursday.
• Parking: All city-owned parking meters, downtown parking garages and pay boxes will be free on Monday. Holiday parking rules will be in effect in areas with posted signs.
• Banks: Most are closed, with limited hours at some supermarket branches.
• Post offices: Closed. No regular U.S.P.S. mail delivery.
• Evanston Public Library: Closed Sunday and Monday.
• Community Centers: The Chandler-Newberger Center, Gibbs-Morrison Cultural Center and Evanston Ecology Center will be closed Saturday through Monday. The Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, Levy Senior Center, Robert Crown Center and Noyes Cultural Arts Center will be closed Monday.
• Evanston Beaches: All beaches open for the season beginning Saturday. Beaches will be open Memorial Day and through June 7 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission fees will apply.
• 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.