Memorial Day offers local and regional events and ceremonies honoring those who have fallen defending the United States in the armed forces.
Here’s a list of Memorial Day services, parades, and community events scheduled for the holiday. Also find a list of services and government offices that adjust their hours and schedules for the national holiday.
Public transportation:
TriMet buses and MAX will run on Sunday schedules on Monday, May 27. WES will have no service.
C-Tran will run on Sunday/Holiday schedules on Monday, May 27.
Portland Aerial Tram is closed.
Government offices:
Federal courts and offices are closed.
Oregon and Washington state offices and courts are closed.
Portland parking meters are free on Monday, May 27, only, except in some city parks. Pay during regular Sunday hours.
Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington and Clark county offices, city of Portland and Vancouver offices, Metro regional center are closed.
Postal mail (USPS) will not be delivered Monday, May 27, and post offices will be closed.
Banks: closed, some in-store branches may be open
Libraries: Most public libraries are closed. Check with your local branch.
Willamette National Cemetery will host a ceremony on Memorial Day. Oregonian file photo. Mark Graves
EVENTS
National cemeteries, including Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Fort Stevens National in Warrenton, and Roseburg National will be open for gravesite memorials, placing of flags or flowers by individuals or groups, and many will have a ceremony to mark the day. To find a more comprehensive list of events near you, visit memorialdayoregon.com.
There are also services at city-managed public cemeteries (Ashland, Astoria, Oregon City, Pendleton, Redmond), private cemeteries (Baker City, Bend, Gresham, Hood River, Medford, Salem), as well as non-profit sites (Eugene, Tigard).
Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (Salem)
This state agency hosts an event at the State Capitol grounds honoring all of the nation’s fallen service members and featuring remarks from ODVA Director Nakeia Council Daniels and Oregon Adjutant General Alan Gronewold. There will also be remarks by other veteran leaders and state dignitaries, a color guard ceremony, the national anthem, and other ceremonial elements.
11 a.m. Monday, May 27, at the Oregon World War II Memorial, at Cottage and Court streets in northeast Salem; free; facebook.com/odvavet.
Veterans Memorial Park (Beaverton)
VFW Post 124 in Beaverton hosts a ceremony that includes a performance by St. Andrew’s Society of Oregon Pipes and Drums, a flyover, POW/MIA ceremony, Sons of the American Revolution musket volley, and guest speakers.
11 a.m. Monday, May 27, between Seventh and Ninth streets, and Washington and Watson avenues; free. beavertonpost124.org.
Vietnam Veterans of Oregon Memorial
The program includes a reading of names, flyover, posting of colors, bagpipe music, an invocation, speakers, and a 21-gun volley all in memory of those who served, died, and are still missing in action in the Vietnam War.
10 a.m. Monday, May 27, Vietnam Veterans of Oregon Memorial site in Washington Park, 4000 S.W. Canyon Road.
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
The Community Military Appreciation Committee presents Vancouver’s Memorial Day Observance at the bandstand on the Vancouver Barracks Parade Ground. The public is invited to honor men and women who have lost their lives in service of our country. Visitors may view the garrison flag raising, Washington Army National Guard Howitzer cannon firing, and a wreath laying ceremony in honor of fallen heroes.
11 a.m. Monday, May 27, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, west of 1501 Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver; free; cmac11.com/event/annual-memorial-day.
Kiwanis Park (Battle Ground, Wash)
The annual ceremony includes the presentation of the flags by cadets from the Battle Ground High School Air Force Junior ROTC program. The ceremony will also feature performances by Battle Ground High School bandmembers playing bagpipes and trumpet.
11 a.m. Monday, May 27, Battle Ground Veterans Memorial at Kiwanis Park, 422 S.W. Second Ave., Battle Ground; www.cityofbg.org/veteransmemorial.
There are plenty of things to see and do on Memorial Day weekend when you attend the Multnomah County Fair at Oaks Park. Oregonian file photo. Mark Graves
Other things to do on Memorial Day weekend
Portland Rose Festival
For well over 100 years this city-wide event has been Portland’s calling card – a festival highlighting not only roses, but community pride. All your old favorites are on the schedule in 2024 including CityFair which opens May 24, Starlight Parade June 1, Junior Parade June 5, and the Grand Floral Parade June 8. There will be plenty of other satellite events as well. Take a look at the schedule on the website for details.
CityFair opening weekend hours 5-10 p.m. Friday (with fireworks at dusk), noon-10 p.m. Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday-Monday, May 24-27, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, on Southwest Naito Parkway; admission is discounted online at $12; rosefestival.org/tickets.
Multnomah County Fair
Multnomah may be Oregon’s most populated county, but its annual fair has more of a small-town vibe. The fair takes place over Memorial Day weekend and offers stage entertainment, barn animals, vendors, creative arts and a low-rider car show. One of the bigger draws is the annual wiener dog races held on Monday. Sunday offers a full day of Hispanic dance, music and singing. And as usual, Oaks Park’s many thrill rides and carnival events are open throughout the fair.
Noon-7 p.m. Saturday-Monday, May 25-27, Oaks Amusement Park, 7805 S.E. Oaks Park Way; free admission, parking $5; multcofair.com.
– If you have events you’d like to see highlighted at OregonLive.com or in the weekly printed A&E section of The Oregonian, please email submissions to events@oregonian.com at least three weeks prior to the start of your event. Digital images or links to videos are helpful.
— Rosemarie Stein
503-221-4376, events@oregonian.com; @trafficportland
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