KALAMAZOO, MI — Memorial Day will be observed during events throughout Kalamazoo County and nearby communities this year, as people gather to pay respects to those who died in active military service.
Though some community events have been canceled or altered amid the COVID-19 pandemic, other annual events will once again be held in 2021.
Here is a list of some of the area events happening on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31:
- In Kalamazoo, a group will gather and read the names of the 1200-plus men from Kalamazoo County who lost their lives in wars, from the Mexican War through the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at the Robert Cook Veterans Park (previously Rose Park Veterans Memorial) at East Michigan Ave and Kings Highway. The event is hosted by the Kalamazoo Marine Corps League.
- In Portage, the American Legion Post 207 Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, 300 Library Lane. Parking is available at the First Reformed Church of Portage and at Portage City Hall. Parking at the Portage District Library is unavailable due to construction. The city’s parade was canceled for this year.
- The Plainwell Memorial Day Parade will be held at 11 a.m. in the area of South Anderson Street and East Bridge Street.
- The South Haven Memorial Day Parade will begin at 9 a.m. downtown, beginning at the corner of Kalamazoo and Eagle streets, and ending at the cemetery with a brief ceremony.
- The neighboring cities of Saugatuck and Douglass are each planning a Memorial Day parade this year. Saugatuck’s starts at 9 a.m. at Culver Street, then proceeds down Butler Street to Village Square/Saugatuck Park. In Douglas, the parade starts at 10 a.m. at Lake Vista SuperValu, then proceeds down Center Street to Beery Field.
The Paw Paw Memorial Day Weekend Car Show is not happening this year, according to the group’s Facebook page.
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