If you’re like us, you can’t wait for this weekend to get here.
Sure, we could really say that about any weekend, but this one coming up is one of those special ones that includes a third day off.
The Memorial Day long weekend is also the unofficial start of summer, but also a reason to pause and reflect.
It’s a day to honor and remember those who died while serving in our country’s armed forces.
You see a lot of parades featuring veterans and ceremonies at cemeteries.
And Concord and Bow both have plans to celebrate the federal holiday.
Concord
There will be a parade downtown Monday morning beginning at 9 a.m.
It will form in the Capitol Shopping Center and head up Pleasant Street Extension to North Main Street.
From there it will head toward Old North Cemetery via Bouton and North State streets.
Once at Old North Cemetery, a rifle party with the first division will conduct a brief ceremony at the entrance.
The parade will then travel along North State Street to Capitol Street and eventually reaching City Plaza for closing ceremonies.
If it’s inclement weather (which we hope it isn’t) the closing ceremonies will be held in the State House Hall of Flags.
In preparation for Memorial Day, the city’s cemetery staff has been raking and leaf blowing the cemetery grounds, and will begin the mowing and trimming in the 13 cemeteries.
After checking in with the city, we were told that 4,000 veterans will be recognized with an American Flag flying at their grave this year. Veteran groups along with volunteers have been placing flags since last week.
Cemetery hours – Saturday through Monday – are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bow
On Monday, the Bow celebration will begin at 3:15 p.m. with a wreath ceremony at Town Pond.
At 3:30 p.m., a memorial ceremony will be held at the town gazebo.
And if you don’t have to run off to any barbecues or other get-togethers, stick around and hang out for the community picnic from 5 to 7 p.m.
There will be sausages with peppers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, beans and beverages courtesy of the Bow Community Men’s Club.
The Freese Brothers Big Band will provide the entertainment for the evening, so grab your blankets and chairs and plan to stay a while. There will be shuttle bus service to and from Bow Memorial School starting at 2:45 p.m.
Other stuff
Just a reminder that town offices in Concord and Bow are closed for the day, as are the libraries.
It’s also a trash and recycling collection holiday Monday in Concord. The collection will be postponed until Tuesday, and collection for the remainder of the week will be delayed by one day through Saturday. Just so you prepare.
