Memorial Day 2018: What's Open, Closed In Skokie

SKOKIE, IL — Memorial Day weekend combines the unofficial kickoff to summer with a chance to honor those veterans of the armed forces, including those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in service of the United States. Since the tradition began to commemorate those who died in the Civil War, the federal holiday has evolved into a time for cookouts, parades and weekend getaways.

Here's what's open, closed and going on in and around Skokie on Memorial Day 2018:

Veterans Ruck March
This annual event raises awareness of the prevalance of post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide among the nation's veterans. The march from Glencoe to Lake Shore Drive on May 25 commemorates and honors those who have been lost at home as well as on the battlefield. (Find out more, or register.)

Ceremony at Veterans Park
The Village of Skokie will hold its 2018 Memorial Day observance ceremony at 11 a.m. on May 28 in Veterans Park, at the intersection of Lincoln and Cleveland avenues. Local veterans posts will be on hand for the ceremony, which will include a rendition of "Taps."

Lincolnwood Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony
American Legion Post #1226 and the Village of Lincolnwood will hold the annual Lincolnwood Memorial Day parade, starting around 10:20 a.m. at the corner of Cicero and Pratt avenues. Kids under age 9 have been invited to take part in the parade for the second year aboard bikes, trikes, wagons or scooters decorated with a patriotic theme (Children must wear a helmet and be accompanied by an adult.) The parade will head east down Pratt Avenue and turn north on Keeler Avenue before ending in Proesel Park at Madeleine's Garden. A ceremony will take place at the garden around 11 a.m. where the names of those who have served or are currently serving in the military will be read aloud.

Government

• Offices at Skokie Village Hall will be closed Monday.
• The Skokie Public Library will be closed Monday.
• Non-essential public employees will have the day off.
• Postal service will not be available.

Transportation

• CTA will run on a weekend schedule.
• Metra will begin offering free rides to children through Labor Day.

Business

• Most supermarkets will be open, though some, like Costco, give their employees the day off.
• Many retailers offer special Memorial Day sales and deals for veterans.

Services

• No trash collection will take place on the holiday Monday. Refuse and recycling pickups will be pushed back one day later until Wednesday, while Thursday and Friday pickups will remain unchanged.
• Yard waste will be picked up Saturday at 7 a.m.

More:

• Catholic Cemeteries Remember The Brave With Memorial Day Masses
• Chicagoland Guide to Memorial Day Fests, Parades, Ceremonies

Top photo via Village of Skokie