Memorial Day Weekend activities set

May 27—OHIO VALLEY — Memorial Day Weekend ushers in a time to remember service and sacrifice, as well as the unofficial start of summer across the area and a host of activities are planned.

On Saturday, the Gallipolis Municipal Swimming Pool opens for the season. The pool will be open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. — 2 p.m. for session one and 2:30-5 p.m. for session two. On Sunday, the pool will be open from 12:30-2:30 p.m. for session one and 3-5 p.m. for session two. The pool will be closed on Wednesdays.

Admission costs are free for children 4 and under, $2 for children aged 5-17 and $3 for adults 18 and over. Costs are per session. Between sessions, the facility will be cleaned. Visitors must pay to re-enter for the next session.

Starting June 1, early morning swim for adults will be from 7:30-9 a.m. Monday through Friday for $1. Water walkers will be Monday through Friday from 5-6 p.m. for $1.

Water aerobics starts June 14 on Monday and Wednesday from 6-7 p.m. and Saturday from 10-11 a.m. for $3.

Private pool parties can be reserved for $250 by contacting Brett Bostic at 740-441-6022 or Lori Reynolds at 740-446-1789, ext. 626. The pool is available to rent on Monday and Wednesday from 7:15-9:15 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 6:15-8:15 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Swimming lessons are available June 14-25, June 28 — July 2 or July 12-23. For more information or to register for swimming lessons, contact Teri Miller at 304-674-3121.

Also on Saturday, Centerville will host its annual Bean Dinner with a parade starting at 11 a.m. Parade participants are asked to call 740-245-5635.

Across the river, Point Pleasant hosts the AMVETS Memorial Day Parade at 1 p.m. Saturday on Main Street.

Also in Point Pleasant, the splash pad at Krodel Park opens for the season. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. — 6 p.m., Monday-Friday; 10 a.m. — 6 p.m. on Saturdays; noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. The park's Yak Shak which offers kayak and pedal boat rentals opens June 1 and will be open 11 a.m. — 7 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Also on Saturday, the New Haven Municipal Swimming Pool in Mason County, W.Va. will open to the public. The pool will be open from noon to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free the entire season.

On Sunday, the First Baptist Church, 1100 Fourth Ave., Gallipolis, will host its annual observance to honor all who have served, and are currently serving their country, at 9 a.m. "America, Land of the Free, Because of the Brave" is this year's theme. Col. Jeff Settle will be there's year's special speaker.

Then, on Monday, the reason for the Memorial Day holiday will be observed with the Gallipolis Memorial Day Parade stepping off at 10:30 a.m. in downtown, followed by the Memorial Day observance beginning at 11 a.m. at City Park. Medal of Honor recipient Hershel "Woody" Williams is speaking.

A member of "the Greatest Generation" who has a U.S. Navy vessel named in his honor, among other accolades, Williams will also be the grand marshal of the Gallipolis Memorial Day Parade.

In addition to remarks by Williams the Memorial Day Ceremony will also include musical performances, recognitions of various veterans' organizations, a wreath laying, "Taps" and a gun salute by the VFW Honor Guard.

Also on Monday across the river, members of the Stewart-Johnson V.F.W. Post 9926 of Mason, W.Va. and the Smith-Capehart American Legion Post 140 of New Haven, W.Va. will hold services at each veterans monument.

The ceremonies will begin in Clifton, W.Va. at 10 a.m. The Clifton monument is located along Route 62. The group will next move to Mason at 10:15 a.m., where the monument is located on Second Street on the Mason Senior Citizen Center grounds.

The third stop will be at Hartford, W.Va. at 10:30 a.m. This monument is on Route 62 near the Hartford Post Office. The last service will be held at 10:45 a.m. at the monument in New Haven on Fifth Street, next to the fire station.

Included in each brief service is the placing of a wreath, as well as blocks of red, white and blue carnations on the monument. Prayer and a tribute to the fallen are read, before a gun salute and the playing of "Taps."

In Meigs County, Cpt. Chip Bennett will serve as the speaker for the event to be held on the Pomeroy Parking Lot at noon on Monday. Captain Bennett has served in the West Virginia Army National Guard for 21 years. The Southern Marching Band will perform at the ceremony in Pomeroy. Flanders Field and the Raggedy Old Flag will also be read.

In addition to the program, graveside services on Memorial Day for Post 39 will be at 9 a.m. at Rocksprings Cemetery; 9:30 a.m. at Beech Grove Cemetery; 10 a.m. at the Catholic Cemetery; 10:30 a.m. at the Bridge of Honor; 1:30 p.m. at Memory Gardens at; 2 p.m. the Chester Cemetery; and 3 p.m. Hemlock Grove.

In Racine, a Memorial Day program will be held at 10 a.m. at the American Legion. The speaker will be Pastor Duke Holbert from the First Baptist Church of Racine. The Southern Band will perform and refreshments will be served.

Beth Sergent contributed to this article.

(Editor's note: These are the Memorial Day weekend activities and events currently submitted to Ohio Valley Publishing. Additional events can be submitted to gdtnews@aimmediamidwest.com for review and possible free publication.)

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