Events

May
28
Sat
Chicago Memorial Day Parade 2022
May 28 @ 11:00 am

Chicago’s Memorial Day Parade honors all men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country.

The Wreath Laying Ceremony will begin at 11am on Daley Plaza (Dearborn and Washington Streets). The parade will step off at noon and proceed south on State Street from Lake Street to Van Buren Street. The Chicago parade is considered one of the largest Memorial Day parades in the nation. Since 1870, Memorial Day parades have graced the streets of Chicago. Wreath Laying Ceremony begins at 11 am; Parade begins at 12 Noon

May
29
Sun
National Rolling Thunder XXXIV MidAmerica POW/MIA Parade
May 29 @ 8:30 am – 10:00 am
National Rolling Thunder XXXIV MidAmerica POW/MIA Parade

Join Illinois Rolling Thunder Chapters on Sunday, May 29th, 2022, for the MidAmerica Rolling Thunder XXXIV demonstration parade. No Entry Fee!

Departure at 10am!

Purpose of the 54-mile ride is to remind our government to keep searching for our 82,000+ missing servicemen and women.

The ride will pass through Hines VA Hospital to Cantigny Park and to 1st Infantry Museum at 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton Illinois.

Food, Vendors, Music, RT XXXIV pins & patches and 1st Infantry Museum Tours available.
Location Assemble, James A. Lovell FHCC, 3001 Green Bay Road, North Chicago (Enter south parking lot from Green Bay Road south of RT 137)
Address 3001 Green Bay Road    [Map]
City North Chicago
State ILLINOIS
Zip 60064
Contact Phone (847) 915-8428 – Wayne Kirkpatrick
Contact Email wkirkpa177@aol.com

Download (PDF, 951KB)

May
27
Sat
Chicago Memorial Day Parade 2023
May 27 @ 11:00 am

The Chicago Memorial day parade is on, Saturday, May 27, 2023 and starts at
12 noon on Wacker Drive between Dearborn and State St..

The City of Chicago and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) are honored to announce the Grand Marshal for Chicago’s Memorial Day Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony on Saturday, May 27. The Wreath Laying Ceremony will begin at 11am at Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington St). The Parade will step off at noon and proceed south on State Street from Lake Street to Van Buren Street. Major General Rodney Boyd, Assistant Adjutant General – Army of the Illinois National Guard and Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard, will serve as the parade’s Grand Marshal. Originally from Chicago’s South Side, Major General Boyd is the highest-ranking African American Officer in Illinois National Guard’s 300 year history.

During the Wreath Laying Ceremony and Parade, the City of Chicago honors fallen heroes and Gold Star family members who have lost a loved one in the United States Armed Forces to combat operations or while on active duty. Approved by Congress beginning in 1947, Gold Star Lapel Pins and the Next of Kin Lapel Pins are presented to families not as an award, but as symbols of honor worn by family members in remembrance of their fallen loved ones and their ultimate sacrifice.

The Illinois National Guard is celebrating their 300-year anniversary by commemorating significant dates in its history with communities across the state that share that history. Founded on May 9, 1723, the Illinois National Guard has and continues to draw its strength from the community. The National Guard is the oldest component of the U.S. military and the only military component with both state and federal missions.

The Wreath Laying Ceremony at 11am will also be livestreamed at Chicago.gov/live.

More information can be found at: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/memorial_day_parade.html