Delaware has various events to celebrate Memorial Day 2023.
The unofficial beginning of summer is finally here, and the First State has plenty of events to celebrate Memorial Day weekend.
While many will be soaking in the sunshine and warm weather on their favorite beach, several celebrations in Delaware remind folks of what the day is really about: honoring members of the military who gave their lives protecting the United States of America. Two of the biggest events – the parade in Wilmington and the ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park – are Tuesday.
Weather
Besides a 30% chance to rain Friday night, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, the sun will shine down on Delaware with comfortable temperatures Memorial Day weekend.
Friday will be mostly sunny with a high of 69 degrees, with temperatures dropping to 52 in the night, according to the National Weather Service.
Saturday will also be sunny with some typical afternoon showers with a high of 70 and a low of 54. Sunday will also bring sunshine with a high of 75 and a low of 53.
On Monday, Memorial Day, some sun will peak through the clouds with a high temperature of 76 and a low of 59.
Travel
AAA Mid-Atlantic expects summer travel this year will “comfortably above” pre-pandemic numbers, despite airline ticket prices running 20 to 30% higher than in 2022.
Those traveling by car can expect much cheaper gas prices. Down from an average of $4.61 per gallon last year to $3.42 per gallon this holiday weekend.
AAA also predicted the best and worst times to travel this weekend:
Friday, May 26 – Best time: before 12 p.m.; worst time: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, May 27 – Minimal traffic impact expected
Sunday, May 28 – Minimal traffic impact expected
Monday, May 29 – Best time: before 10 a.m.; worst time: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Several beaches will also expand to allow more people. For example, Rehoboth Beach will have a noticeably wider beach from Deauville to Delaware Avenue.
Memorial Day weekend events
- Sussex County’s Memorial Day Service starts at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 28 at the Circle in Georgetown. Sponsored by the Georgetown Kiwanis Club and the Korean War Veterans Association, the keynote speech “Living Lives That Honor the Fallen” will be delivered by Sgt. First Class Justin Downen, U.S. Army National Guard, a combat veteran of the 3rd Special Forces Group and founder of the Green Beret Project that mentors and empowers disadvantaged children and teens. Rep. Ruth Briggs King, R-Georgetown will be the emcee for the free event. The rifle salute will be executed by members of the 198th Signal Battalion, Delaware National Guard, stationed at the Georgetown Armory. Taps and its echo will be performed by Sussex Central Band Director Ben Ables and Sussex Central senior Kylie Youse. Memorial wreaths will be placed by local veterans’ groups and service organizations in tribute to those who died serving America.
- Bear’s Memorial Day Ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 28 at New Castle County Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road.
- Dewey Beach’s 21st Highway One Companies 5K kicks off at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, May 29. Registration costs $30 online, or $35 at the event. Limited event parking for a fee at the Rusty Rudder parking lot or park for free at meters and side streets until 10 a.m. Ticket revenue will go toward Dewey Beach lifeguards, the Sussex Consortium and Rotary Clubs of Area 41. The race begins at the Rusty Rudder at 113 Dickinson Street.
- Rehoboth Beach’s Memorial Day starts with a wreath-laying ceremony honoring female veterans and first responders on Monday, May 29 at 9 a.m.
at the Veterans Memorial at the Bandstand. At 11 a.m. the Bandstand will have a Memorial Day ceremony hosted by American Legion Post 5. - The American Legion Family of Post 17 is sponsoring the Lewes Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 29 at 9 a.m. The parade begins at Schley Avenue behind the Lewes Presbyterian Church parking lot, proceeds to Savannah Road, over the canal toward the beach and ending at Post 17. A ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. at Post 17’s Pavillion.
- At 2 p.m. on Monday, May 29, the Kent County Vietnam Veterans will host a ceremony at the Kent County Veterans Memorial Park, at South Little Creek Road in Dover. The keynote speaker will represent the Friends of the Fallen. Joan Bestpitch of the Kent County Republican Women’s Club will place a wreath at the Vietnam Memorial, along with representatives of other organizations who will lay wreaths at the Gold Star Families, Korean, and Middle East memorials.
- Victory Baptist Church in Bridgeville is hosting a Memorial Day church picnic. The free event starts at 4 p.m. Monday, May 29 and will include food and activities. The church is at 16219 Sussex Highway.
- New Castle’s Memorial Day Ceremony starts at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 30 at War Memorial Plaza, 163 Cherry Lane. Gov. John Carney and other government officials will be in attendance.
- Wilmington’s annual Memorial Day Parade starts at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 30. The parade starts at Delaware and Woodlawn avenues and proceeds down Delaware Avenue to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Broom Street. where a memorial observance will be held.
- The Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs holds its annual Memorial Day service starting at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 30. It’s at Veterans Memorial Park, near New Castle, and in the shadow of the Delaware Memorial Bridge.
Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.
Jarek can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (215) 450-9982. Follow him on Twitter @jarekrutz
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