Memorial Day 2018: Parade in Bay Ridge, Concert at Green-Wood, and Beaches

While Memorial Day weekend marks the start of summer with barbecues and trips to the beach, don’t forget to take a moment to commemorate those who lost their lives serving our country.

Below are two ways to show appreciation for our service members, both past and present.

Brooklyn’s 151st Memorial Day Parade
When: Monday, May 28, 11am
Where: Parade starts at 78th Street and Third Avenue in Bay Ridge
Join the nation’s oldest continuous Memorial Day Parade now in its 151st year! There will be marching bands, floats, military units, and more.

The parade will kick off at 3rd Avenue and 78th Street and march down 3rd to Marine Avenue. It will then head east to 4th Avenue, then on to John Paul Jones Park (at 4th & 101st Street) for a post-parade memorial service. The memorial ceremonies will include a wreath laying, flag raising, a playing of taps, and a 21-gun salute by the Veteran Corps of Artillery.

The Grand Marshal of this year’s parade is Lieutenant General Robert L. Caslen, Jr., Superintendent of the United State Military Academy at West Point. He will be joined by Deputy Grand Marshals Thomas Trombone and Corporal George R. Broadhead, both Korean War veterans, as well as Barry Berger, a veteran of the Vietnam War.

20th Annual Green-Wood Memorial Day Concert
When: Monday, May 28, 2:30pm to 5pm
Where: Green-Wood Cemetery, 500 25th Street (at Fifth Avenue)

Bring a blanket and enjoy this annual free performance featuring the ISO Symphonic Band and Orchestra playing work by some permanent Green-Wood residents including Fred Ebb, Louis Moreau Gottschalk, and Paul Jabara. This year’s concert will feature a special program to celebrate the 100th birthday of Leonard Bernstein, the famed composer and conductor of the New York Philharmonic.

The concert is free, but registration is recommended.

Also this weekend, city beaches re-open on Saturday, May 26. Check out BKLYNER’s list of beaches you can visit without a car.