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RE/MAX CompleteToday is Memorial Day, a day that most of us celebrate by barbecuing, camping, spending time with family and friends. But what is Memorial Day all about? What is Memorial Day really?
According to a Gallup poll, only 28 percent of Americans realize the true meaning of the holiday.
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.
There are many Memorial Day activities throughout Utah this year. We hope you will take time to show your appreciation in someway to those who died for us in the line of service.
Check out the list below to get started.
- State Capitol half marathon. If you are a runner and you are going to be in Salt Lake City for Memorial Day, you should consider participating in the State Capitol Half Marathon. Running 13.1 miles through a very scenic desert course is a great way to celebrate. The race costs $45 to enter and it starts at 7 a.m. Go to the starting line at Olympus Hills on Wasatch Blvd to the Utah State Capitol Building, 3900 South Wasatch Blvd. Salt Lake City, Utah 84116
- Desert Rocks music festival. This annual Memorial Day festival is weekend party that takes place just outside Salt Lake City in Moab. You can camp and listen to live music in the beautiful backdrop of the Red Rocks. If you are 21 or older, you can hang out in the beer garden or bring your own beer. Tickets to the Desert Rocks Music Festival cost $105. This music venue is located between mile markers 112 and 113 on Highway 191 through Moab, Utah 84532.
- Nature Hike: Extreme Survival. If you are looking for something more family oriented, you could always celebrate Memorial Day with a nature hike. Take a stroll with Salt Lake City's Parks and Recreation Department and learn about different species of plants and animals that inhabit the desert. Day passes cost 6 dollars and include water launches. 1594 West North Temple Salt Lake City, UT, 84116.
- Flag raising ceremony. If you want to get really serious about Memorial Day in Salt Lake City, you can attend the flag raising ceremony in Holladay Memorial Park. This Memorial Day celebration will be complete with a Utah Scottish Pipe Band and Highland Dancers. To attend this ceremony show up at 9 a.m. to 4900 S. Memoy Lane Salt Lake City, Utah 84116.
Thanks to a
Salt Lake Tribune article here are many more great activities to do with your family and friends:
Salt Lake CityFort Douglas Memorial Day Ceremony • Fort Douglas Cemetery, 375 Chipeta Way; 10 a.m. Monday, with Master of Ceremonies Fields Mosely and the 23rd Army Band of the Utah National Guard. Featured speakers are U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch and Paul Rolly of The Salt Lake Tribune.
Memorial Mass • Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 275 U St.; 9 a.m. Monday. Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, recently retired vicar general of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, will celebrate the Mass, preceded by a flag ceremony led by Boy Scout Troop 202 from St. Ambrose Parish.
Magna
Veteran Appreciation Night » Rocky Mountain Raceways, 6555 W. 2100 South, Magna; Monday, gates open at 4 p.m., race starts at 6 p.m. Military personnel or veterans get in free with valid ID. All accompanying family members will receive half-price admission. Regular prices are $20 for adults and $10 for children. For more information call 801-252-9557.
Herriman
Chuck Wagon Breakfast » Main Street Park, Herriman; 7-11 a.m. Monday. For more information visit
www.herriman.org, or call 801-254-7667
Memorial Day Ceremony »Herriman Cemetery; 9 a.m. Monday. For more information visit
www.herriman.org, or call 801-254-7667.
West Jordan
Memorial Day Tribute » Veterans Memorial Park, 1985 W. 7800 South; 1 p.m. Monday. Remarks from Sen. Orrin Hatch, retired Maj. Gen. Peter Cooke, Brig. Gen. Neal Black, and West Jordan Mayor Melissa Johnson. Program highlights include the Utah Pipe Band, National Guard bugler, Howitzers, and a 21-gun salute. For more information visit
www.wjordan.com.
Tooele
Big M Weekend »Miller Motorsports Park, 2901 N. Sheep Lane; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The Big M Weekend is three days of motorcycles, music and military. Joining the World Superbike Championship will be America’s premiere motorcycle racing series, the AMA Pro Racing Superbike Championship. There will be rock concerts on both Saturday and Sunday nights, with feature races on Memorial Day. For more information call 435-277-8000.
Bluffdale
Memorial Day Program » Bluffdale City Cemetery, 14201 S. Redwood Road; 9:45 a.m. Monday. A program of patriotic music, poetry, reading of veteran’s names and taps will be presented by veterans from WWII, Korean, Vietnam and Iraq wars.
Provo
Memorial Day service » Provo City Cemetery, 610 S. State St., 10 a.m. Monday. Flag ceremony by Independence High School, musical numbers by the Timpview High School Band, wreath-laying ceremony led by Mayor John Curtis, 21-gun salute and “Taps” bugle call.
Clearfield
Hill Aerospace Museum » 7961 Wardleigh Road, Hill AFB. Memorial service at 9:30 a.m. Monday, at the museum’s Mazer Memorial Chapel, followed by a Memorial Day induction of the Utah Aviation Hall of Fame’s newest member. For more information call 801-777-6868.
American Fork
Kunavich, and the program will feature music by Julene and Sarah Judd, the American Fork High School Jazz Band and Marching Band.
No matter what you do this Memorial Day, we hope you enjoy it even though the weather is not cooperating!
* Photos Courtesy of Memorial Day 2011.org
