THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Celebrating Memorial Day – Non-Traditionally!

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer for many of us. However, this Memorial Day weekend will be spent sheltering in place and obeying social distancing guidelines. But it certainly doesn’t mean we can’t still have a good time. We’ll just celebrate in non-traditional ways!

Even though our parade and wreath-laying ceremony in Daley Plaza has been canceled, there are still ways to commemorate the occasion in patriotic fashion. One such way is by watching the 45-minute Parade of Heroes Special online (available for streaming at 8 a.m. Monday, May 25) and is hosted by Kathie Lee Gifford. It also features a performance by singer-songwriter Tori Kelly, interviews with veterans, Memorial Day tributes, and more. There are other programs explicitly devoted to what the holiday is all about: celebrating and mourning the military personnel who served in the United States Armed Forces!

The annual National Memorial Day Concert will look a lot different as well this year. While this concert won’t happen on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, it will still air at 8 p.m. Sunday, May 24, on PBS. Actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise will host a special presentation of the illustrious concert, which will include new performances and tributes filmed in different locations around the nation and renowned stories from past concerts!

If you haven’t already done so, it’s time to pull your grill out of hibernation as we kick-off the grilling season this holiday weekend! Check out these endless number of Grilling Recipe Ideas to assist you in a great grilling season. There are plenty of easy, simple recipes you can even make for a quick weeknight dinner and will also please the pickiest of eaters!

The pros at Chicago-area restaurants will also have you covered for Memorial Day Takeout Options with ready-to-grill meats and packaged barbecue meals that can be picked up curbside or delivered through a meal service. All you have to do is grill!!

One of the city’s first outdoor festivals to kick off the summer, Mole de Mayo Festival in the Pilsen neighborhood, will host a virtual event this Memorial Day weekend. Just purchase specialty mole dishes from Pilsen restaurants for delivery or carry-out, then kick back to watch and interact with live streaming performances!

Get everyone involved in these kid-friendly Memorial Day Activities. This wide-ranging list includes creating patriotic chalk art, donating flowers to a fallen hero’s grave, decorating your space in red, white and blue, posting a social media tribute, hearing veterans’ stories in their own words, watching a patriotic movie, and much more!

Finally, here’s What You Can and Can’t Do Outside in Chicago right now!

Have a Happy & Safe Memorial Day Weekend!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago