Check out these 2024 Memorial Day events in the greater Milwaukee area

To honor the people who died while serving their country, here are some of the 2024 Memorial Day observances in the Milwaukee area.

Monday, May 27, is Memorial Day, but some of the events take place before the actual holiday. These observances include ceremonies, events, a charity walk for Operation Finally Home and parades.

This is not a comprehensive list. Check with your local veterans organization for more information on other local events. These events are free unless otherwise noted.

If there is an observance that you would like included, let us know.

Belfrēdom 5K Run/Walk for Wisconsin Hero Outdoors in Delafield

Belfrēdom 5K Run/Walk for Wisconsin Hero Outdoors is a 5K run/walk to help raise money for Wisconsin Hero Outdoors. WHO helps veterans and first responders aid in suicide prevention by using outdoor activities and relationships to address issues that occur with the stresses of their service. Afterwards, at the Belfrē Kitchen parking lot, there will be live music by Ben Harold & The Rising. Coffee + Cocktails will be onsite selling food and drinks at Steeplechase at 606 N. Genesee St.

When: Run/Walk begins at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, May 26, registration is prior with packet pick-up at 8 a.m.

Where: Belfrē Kitchen parking lot, 606 N. Genesee St., Delafield.

Cost: $40 per person and a $3.40 sign-up fee. Price increases to $45 after May 19.

To register and for more information: Visit https://runsignup.com/Race/Events/WI/Delafield/Belfredom

Daylong Memorial Day events in Brookfield

At Wisconsin Memorial Park, there will be a remembrance service and Memorial Day entertainment throughout the day. Lunch is free for those who fill out a survey that will be handed out at the door. Otherwise, lunch is $5.

Where: Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 W. Capitol Drive in Brookfield

When: The main service begins at 10 a.m. with various Memorial Day performances until 3 p.m.

For more information: Call 262-781-7474

Cedarburg - Memorial Day Parade

The Cedarburg American Legion will hold its annual parade on Memorial Day. The parade will be followed by a ceremony.When: 9 to 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 27

Where: The parade begins in Cedarburg on the corner of Bridge and Washington. It ends at the Peter Wollner Post 288, W57 N481 Hilbert Ave.

For more information: Visit https://business.cedarburg.org/events

Memorial Day Parade in Elm Grove

What: Memorial Day parade

When: 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 27. Parade participants should arrive between 8:45 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.

Where: The parade route begins at Elm Grove Village Park and ends at Elm Grove Road and Wall Street.

For more information or questions: Email memorialday@elmgrovejuniorguild.org or visit www.elmgrovejuniorguild.org/Memorial-day-parade

Falls Memorial Fest, veterans concert, parade and run/walk in Menomonee Falls

Falls Memorial Fest

This event is slated to include dozens of marketplace vendors, live music, food and beverages, beer and wine gardens a car show, a 5K run/walk for Operation Finally Home, a KidsFest and a Lucky Ducky Derby

When: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 25. The 5K for Operation Finally Home begins at 8 a.m. The opening ceremony and the car show both begin at 10 a.m. and the rest of the festivities are spread throughout the day. The event ends at 9 p.m.

Where: Downtown Menomonee Falls, including Village Park, N87 W16749 Garfield Drive, and Mill Pond Park, N88 W16460 Main St.

Cost: Free admission

For more information and for a complete schedule: Visit www.menomoneefallsdowntown.com

Veterans concert

Where: Village Park

When: 3:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 26

Memorial Day parade

The parade begins on Main Street at Harrison Avenue, travels to downtown Menomonee Falls and continues west on Main Street, then north on Grand Avenue and ends at the parking lot at Neu's Building Center, N95 W16915 Falls Parkway.

When: 10 a.m. Monday, May 27

For more information: Visit www.fallsparades.org/memorial-day

Operation Finally Home 5K

This event is a fundraiser for Operation Finally Home, a nonprofit that provides homes and home modifications to wounded, ill or injured veterans, first responders and their families. Operation Finally Home has gifted veteran families with homes and plans to continue that work. There will be a 5K, a 2-mile walk (new this year) and a kids 1K run.

When: 8 a.m. Saturday, May 25, packet pickup and race day registration. The Kids 1K starts at 8:45 a.m. The 5K starts at 9 a.m. Awards are at 10 a.m.

Where: The race begins in Mill Pond Park, N88 W16460 Main St., adjacent to the pavilion, just north of the downtown waterfall.

Cost: $37.50 for individuals for the 5K and 2-mile walk if registered by May 24 and $40 for same-day registration. The 1K kids race is free.

For more information and to register: https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/MenomoneeFalls/OperationFINALLYHome5K.

More: 'Hard to put into words': Third veteran gifted a mortgage-free home in Menomonee Falls

Milwaukee

Memorial Day at Forest Home Cemetery

Memorial Day at Forest Home Cemetery begins with a memorial service at the Ferry & Clas chapel, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony in the Garden of Honor, in the veteran section. Afterwards, there will be stories from the cemetery with numerous costumed historical re-enactors and then a free Milwaukee history tour. Food will be available for purchase. Attendees will be allowed to picnic on the grounds.

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, May 27. From 11 to 11:30 a.m., there is the memorial service and the wreath-laying; 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. is a visit with notable Milwaukeeans; 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. hot dogs, bratwurst, chips and soda will be available for a $7 donation to the Forest Home Historic Preservation Association and from 2:30 to 4 p.m. is the Milwaukee history tour. The tour ends at 4 p.m., but people may stay until the cemetery closes at 7 p.m.

Where: Forest Home Cemetery, 2405 W. Forest Home Ave.

Cost: Free but preregistration recommended

For more information: Visit https://foresthomecemetery.com/visit/public-tours

Field of Flags

Field of Flags is to remember the fallen men and women. Volunteers at the War Memorial Center will be placing 27,316 flags this year to represent Wisconsinites killed in action from the Civil War through the present.

When: The ceremony will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 24. Flag placement runs from Monday, May 20, through Friday, May 24, throughout the day.

Where: Veterans Park. Ceremony is north of the War Memorial Center, 1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive.

For more information or to volunteer for flag placement: Visit https://warmemorialcenter.org.

Remembrance at Wood National Cemetery

What: The public is invited to a Memorial Day ceremony at Wood National Cemetery to honor the fallen veterans, their families, and those prisoners of war or missing in action who never came home. The Milwaukee American Legion Band will give a pre-ceremony concert. This year’s ceremony theme is We Pledge to Remember. Limited seating is available at the outdoor event.

When: 9 a.m. (when the Milwaukee American Legion Band begins playing) and 9:25 a.m. (when the ceremony begins) Monday, May 27

Where: Wood National Cemetery, flagpole / memorial area, 5000 W. National Ave. (Milwaukee VA campus)

For more information: Call the cemetery office at 414-382-5300 or email woodnationalcemetery@va.gov

Oconomowoc - Memorial Day remembrance

Oconomowoc's traditional Memorial Day remembrance begins at the City Beach Band Shell with a concert by the Legion Band followed by a processional through downtown, stopping at the bridge on Walnut Street for the ceremonial wreath tossing to end the event.

When: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 27

Where: The event begins at City Beach. The processional goes east on Wisconsin Avenue through downtown turning north through the roundabout.

For more information: www.visitoconomowoc.com/calendar

Waukesha - River Ceremony

While Waukesha will not be holding its Memorial Day parade this year, the community will have remembrance activities. There will be an Avenue of Flags where flags will be placed along the main road through Prairie Home Cemetery. A river ceremony will take place for people to gather together and to put flowers in the river for those who died serving. There will then be a service at Cutler Park and the Waukesha Civic Band will perform.

Avenue of Flags (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Prairie Home Cemetery will be placing flags along the main road through the cemetery to commemorate those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Flags will be flying between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. The cemetery grounds are also open to visitors during this time.

Riverside Ceremony (10 a.m.)

A river ceremony will take place at Veterans Park, 710 N. West Ave., at 10 a.m. All are welcome to gather together and cast flowers into the river in tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Memorial Day Service at Cutler Park (11 a.m.)

All are welcome to attend a program honoring all who have died and served our country. Speakers will include Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly and keynote speaker David Carroll, Assistant Clinical Professor of Behavioral Health Psychology, School of Education and Human Services at Carroll University. The Waukesha Civic Band will perform the National Emblem March.

When: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Avenue of Flags); Riverside Ceremony 10 a.m. and Memorial Day Service at Cutler Park at 11 a.m. on May 27

Where: Cutler Park, 321 Wisconsin Ave., Waukesha

For more information or questions: Visit www.waukesha-wi.gov/residents/memorial-day.php

West Allis - Memorial Day observance

What: West Allis is planning a Memorial Day observance ceremony featuring patriotic songs, a flag ceremony and speakers. There will be more information closer to the event.

When: 11 a.m. Monday, May 27

Where: Veterans Park, 6900 W. National Ave., West Allis

For more information and event updates: Visit westalliswi.gov/411/community-events

West Bend - Memorial Day parade

When: 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 27. The lineup for participants is from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m.

Where: The lineup for the parade will be on South Main Street between Oak Street and Decorah Road. The parade will begin in front of Badger Middle School, 727 S. 6th Ave., going north on Main Street, left on Walnut to 6th Street, left on 6th to Chestnut, and ending at the Tower Heritage Center.

For more information: Call 414-581-4381 or visit https://www.westbendcommunityband.org/event/west-bend-memorial-day-parade-2024/

Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on X at @kozlowicz_cathy.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Here are 2024 Memorial Day events in the Milwaukee area