Organizations across the High Desert will host Memorial Day weekend events to pay tribute to the fallen men and women of the U.S. military.
This year, Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 25, which is considered by many to be the unofficial first day of summer, which begins on Sunday, June 21.
Car and Bike Show
High Desert Ford, formerly known as Sunland Ford, will host its 19th annual Memorial Weekend Charity Car and Bike Show from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, at the dealership at 15330 Palmdale Road in Victorville.
Presented by High Desert Fords and Mustangs, the event will include food trucks, vendors, and live music by The Modd Rodds. All proceeds from the event will support local charities.
Adelanto Stadium
Curbside USA will host a Memorial Day-themed event at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 24 at Adelanto Stadium, 12000 Stadium Way.
The event honoring military members and their families will include special speakers, music, food and activities.
Desert View Memorial Park
Desert View Memorial Park will host a Memorial Day Celebration at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 25, at 11500 Amargosa Road in Victorville. The event will include patriotic music, a presentation of flags, Taps, veteran organizations, guest speakers, a hot dog lunch and more.
Victor Valley Memorial Park
After missing a few years, the Victor Valley Memorial Park will once again host a Memorial Day Observance.
The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, May 25, at 17150 C Street in Victorville.
“The park will welcome visitors who will find flags placed on veterans graves and enjoy a hot dog,” organizers said.
The park had hosted over 60 annual Memorial Day events prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Lucerne Valley
The Lucerne Valley Chamber of Commerce invites the public to conduct U.S. flag placement at 6 a.m. on Monday, May 25, at Lucerne Memorial Park at 32533 Highway 18.
A Memorial Day celebration will follow the flag placement and will begin at 10 a.m. at the park. For more information, call 760-223-7164 or email Lucernevalleychamber@gmail.com.
Town of Apple Valley
The Town of Apple Valley’s Memorial Day Ceremony is scheduled at 8 a.m. on Monday, May 25, at Capt. Joseph McConnell Jr. USAF Park, located behind the Apple Valley School District Administrative office facility on Navajo Road.
Mountain View Cemetery
VFW Post 2143 will host a Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 25, at Mountain View Memorial Park at 37067 Irwin Road in Barstow.
Apple Valley – New Life Facility
The New Life Facility will host its 4th annual Memorial Day event with a barbecue from 2 to 5 p.m. and Men’s Stagg at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 25, at 1888 Outer Highway 18, Ste. 208 in Apple Valley.
Wrightwood Ceremony
Wrightwood’s 18th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony is scheduled at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 25, at Wrightwood Veterans Memorial Park at 1274 Evergreen Road in Wrightwood.
Phelan VFW
Phelan VFW Post 9415 will host its annual Memorial Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 25, at 4892 Nielson Road in Phelan.
The event will include the Serrano High School choir and a flag retirement by the Boy Scouts. A potluck will be held after the ceremony.
Memorial Day
Honoring fallen military members began as Decoration Day after the Civil War, when families of both Union and Confederate forces began decorating the graves of those who died in the conflict.
This later became known as Memorial Day and was standardized to be celebrated on the last Monday in May by an act of Congress in 1968.
The list of Memorial Day events will be updated as more information becomes available.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Find Memorial Day events in the High Desert
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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