Ann Arbor Area Memorial Day Events, Parades and More...

Check out the great Ann Arbor events and area parades this weekend as we observe Memorial Day:

Friday - Monday, May 28-31:

The VFW Graf-O’Hara Post 423 (3230 S. Wagner Rd., Lodi Township) will observe Memorial Day with an Open House and display of items from their Military Museum. Families can learn about Memorial Day and it's significance by viewing military uniforms, dating from WWI, and various medals, weapons, and patches from many branches of the armed forces. This event is open to the public and donations are accepted.

Sunday, May 30

The 26th Annual Memorial Day Observance begins at 2:00n p.m. (2521 Glazier Way, Ann Arbor) with a flag ceremony, color and honor guards, 21-gun salute, Scouting volunteers, and notable speakers. Bring a lawn chair – The event will honor Veterans rain or shine!

Monday, May 31

Chelsea: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The Veterans For Peace Chapter 93 honors veterans with it's “Arlington Michigan” display at Pierce Park (located on South Main Street, just north of Old US Highway 12). Crosses displayed for each Michigan soldier killed in Iraq or Afghanistan will honor our fallen heros.

Dexter: The American Legion hosts its annual Memorial Day parade at 10 a.m. on Main Street.

Saline: The Memorial Day parade begins at 10:00 a.m. at the fire station on Harris Street at Michigan Avenue and goes to Monroe Street, finishing at the Oakwood Cemetery. After the proceedings, a brief brick dedication will take place across the street from the cemetery at the American Legion post.

Ypsilanti:

The Yankee Air Museum (Willow Run Airport) Memorial Day hosts an all-day Memorial Day observance beginning at 8:00 a.m. and includes a Pancake Breakfast, aircraft fly-overs, a blood drive, displays of aircraft, hot dog lunch, simulators and special activities for kids.

The Ypsilanti Memorial Day Parade begins at 9 a.m. (North Huron Street/Michigan Avenue) and ending at the Highland Cemetery for a ceremony. Includes veterans, Scouts, marching bands, Gold Star Mothers, and a 21-gun salute.

Ypsilanti Township: At 1 p.m. at the Washtenaw County Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the Ypsilanti Township Civic Center (7200 Huron River Drive) an event will recognize military heroes and lay flowers at the memorial.

This Weekend: FREE Pops Concert in Ypsilanti

Start your Memorial Day family weekend off with a bang with a FREE outdoor pops concert at Riverside Park in Ypsilanti. At 2:00 p.m. the Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra will perform "An Afternoon at the Drive-In" featuring well known music and from family favorites such as "Harry Potter", "Forest Gump," "Jurassic Park," Star Trek," "Carousel," "My Fair Lady," and many more musical favorites from classical films. There is something special about spending the day, under shaded trees, on a blanket, watching children of all ages dance and enjoy orchestral music - We'll be there relaxing and dancing the afternoon away and hope to see you there!

In the event of dreaded rain clouds, the rain date for the concert will be the next day - Sunday May 30 at 2:00 p.m.

Get Your Discounted Ann Arbor Pool Season Passes Now - Pools Open May 29!

Buhr Park, Fuller and Veterans Memorial Pools open May 29 - Get your discounted season pool passes now before the season opens. Buy your season passes at the customer service center located at Cobblestone Farm on Packard in Ann Arbor.

Free Language Assessment for Children Ages 2-5 Years

The University of Michigan Autism and Communication Disorders Center (UMACC) is running a new research study and providing free language assessments for children ages 2-5 years. This is a great opportunity to gain insight into your child.

For more information on getting a free langauge assessment, please contact Kristin Houck at 734-936-8665 or at khouck[at]umich.edu

This Weekend: Innovative Event for Families at the AAHOM

I’m a techno-geek of sorts. My husband often says that I should be more accurately ladeled a "gadget geek" - I just love finding the newest and greatest things for the garden, for my computer or even for craft projects. Including technology into ANY of these areas of my life, gets me pretty excited! The kids are learning about it too, through my excitement. I suppose that is why this Saturday’s event at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum caught my eye.

This Saturday, the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is hosting its second Local Tech Event on from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. The event connects entrepreneurs, innovations and their families for an inspiring evening of fun and features dozens of innovative companies from throughout the local region who will display fuel cells, video games and other interactive technologies.

Dozens of innovative companies from throughout the local region who will display fuel cells, video games and other interactive technologies. Entrepreneurs will be on hand to talk with families about what it takes to turn an innovative idea into a thriving business.

The event does not ignore the kids either with kids-only activities will be offered through supervised hands-on workshops throughout the museum and live music from HiDef and The Chief Blues Officers - Plus there is a museum-wide scavenger hunt! Refreshments will also be served, including a special kids-only dining area.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children - Family packages for two adults and two children are $50. For more information, or to buy tickets online, visit the Ann Arbor Hands on Museum website.