Memorial Day celebrations are Lake County's specialty. Duty, Army, country! Non-sibi sed patriae. Aim high…Fly-Fight-Win. Semper Fidelis. Semper Paratus.
Memorial Day is the time of year that we celebrate and remember the men and woman of this great country who have fallen in battle to maintain our freedom. To those of our readers that have been in the military; we thank you for your service.
The original Memorial Day in the U.S. was called Decoration Day first becoming a day of observance after the Civil War in 1868. The day’s inception was planned by the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of the Union veterans founded in Decatur, IL (Who’da thunk this day of observance was created in our state?).
Today, Lake County also is home to one of the country’s oldest naval bases and is the United States’ only naval boot camp: Naval Station Great Lakes.
Here is how you can spend your extended time off during Memorial Day weekend in Lake County.
Parades, Ceremonies and Remembrances in Lake County
“There is a-splishin’ and a-splashin,’ reelin’ with the feelin,’ movin’ and a-groovin, rockin’ and a-rollin’” at Six Flags Great America’s Hurricane Harbor. This Gurnee water park offers 17 refreshing attractions to help you beat the heat. Take a dip in the drink, recline, relax and experience all the thrills of your adventure at Hurricane Harbor this Memorial Day weekend and all summer long. Feel free to take a ride on one of the 16 thrilling coasters at Six Flags Great America. Hurricane Harbor is open through September 2.
Saturday-Monday, May 25-27; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Hurricane Harbor, 1 Great America Pkwy., Gurnee.
They may call it the terrible twos, but not in the case of this Italian-Mediterranean eatery. Main Street Social celebrates its second born day this weekend. The event features a champagne toast, live performances from Sweet Rain, Nicholas Barron and Simply Elton and of course their renowned eats.
Saturday, May 25; 10 a.m.-midnight. Main Street Social, 608 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville.
You can’t ban dancing!? “Footloose” takes place in Elmore City Oklahoma, which in American history is an actual town that forbade a good ole fashion jig. Not that the law ever took hold, but the 1984 film starring Kevin Bacon (featuring the smash hit song with the movie title by Kevin Loggins) was based on these events that took place in the Sooner State. In 1998, the dancing machine movie hit center stage. The live theatre adaptation was nominated for four Tony Awards winning one in Best Choreography. Follow the story of a Chicago kid who can really cut a rug and see the impact he has on that little Oklahoma town. The show runs through June 2.
Friday-Sunday, May 24-26. Various shows and admissions. Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire.
The wheels on the bus still go round and round. To celebrate our favorite mouse, Mickey, Volo Auto Museum is offering tours of the facility utilizing the 1920s double-decker bus from Disney World’s Epcot Center. The narrated tour of the Volo grounds will provide visitors with knowledge on the museum’s history, stories behind the exhibits and an experience of a 99-year-old autobus that runs on propane. The bus is one of six of the vehicles built for the Disney parks. The tours run through September 1.
Friday-Sunday, May 24-26. Volo Auto Museum, 27582 Volo Village Rd., Volo
Like the Avengers, Zurko Promotions and Pop-Con join forces for the Grayslake Late Night Flea Market/County Pop Culture Con at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center. Shoppers can peruse everything to antiques, collectibles, jewelry and porcelains to comics, action figures, video games, memorabilia, pop culture wares and so much more. Prior to the event, attendees are invited to explore Bess Bower Dunn Museum’s exhibit “The Art of Alex Ross” featuring the pieces of the DC and Marvel Comic universe artist. The pre-party runs from noon-3 p.m. and will be showcased at the Libertyville museum through September 9. Excelsior!
Saturday, May 25; Pre-Party: Noon-3 p.m., Flea Market/Pop Culture Con: 3 p.m.-midnight. Admission: $7. Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center, 1060 E. Peterson Rd., Grayslake.
Travel to Ingleside for a night back to the future (or past), as Miller’s Dog N Suds Drive is hosting the Classic Car Cruise Night. The season opener of these classic car displays will feature a live broadcast of WRLR 98.3 FM Radio and rides that are from 1973 or older. Enjoy a tasty dog from Miller’s Dog N Suds Drive-In and watch the show from the picnic area or bring a lawn chair.
Saturday, May 25; 6-9 p.m. Miller's Dog N Suds, 517 Washington St., Ingleside.
Gonna make a sentimental journey, to renew old memories.” The Citadel Theatre presents “Sentimental Journey: A Musical Tale of Love and War.” The Doris Day song-titled musical is a one-man show written and performed by Ross Leman. The tale follows the narrator’s parents love story as the two guardians fall in love during World War II. This world premiere feature showcases renowned tunes from the era such as “We’ll Meet Again,” “Don’t Fence Me In” and the musical’s title song.
Friday-Saturday, May 24-26; Fri. and Sat.: 8 p.m. Tickets: $15-$40. Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest.
The winner of six North American Band Association Awards, the prestigious Illinois Brass Band graces the stage at Round Lake Beach Cultural & Civic Center. This free admission concert will be on the RLBCC outdoor stage (will move indoors if there is bad weather), so don’t forget a lawn chair or blanket. Concert-goers will hear some fantastic U.S. traditional tunes in honor of Memorial Day.
Sunday, May 26; 2 p.m. Free admission. Round Lake Beach Cultural & Civic Center, 2007 Civic Center Way, Round Lake Beach.
Witness the majesty and beauty of the Swallowtail, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Skipperling and as many as 500 other colorful butterflies and blooms at Chicago Botanic Garden. The Butterflies & Blooms exhibition highlights species that are native to Africa, Asia, North America and South America. The butterflies are housed in a 2,800-square-foot mesh enclosure on the Regenstein Learning Campus. Visitors can view the cocooned caterpillars make their transformation into butterflies through a window located inside the pupa emergence room. This exhibit runs through September 2.
Saturday-Monday, May 25-27; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $6-$8. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe.
The tunes can be heard outdoors now, as the Mundelein Park District kicks off their outdoor concert summer series. The Lake County park district kicks off their Sunday evening special with Mundelein High School's Jazz Band. The series runs through August 18.
Sunday, May 26; 5-6:30 p.m. Free admission, Kracklauer Park, 116 N. Lake Street, Mundelein.
Take advantage of all the delicious flavors that come with spring adult beverages. Here are your 20 exceptional libations that put the spring in spring on the Lake County Libation Trail.
The Essence of Freedom Run is an annual event to raise funds that are needed for the brave men and women, both active duty and veterans, who defend our country in the armed forces. Choose from a 5K or 10K race and run through the streets of downtown Deerfield. Active duty military officers, police officers and firefighters run free of admission. The Deerfield challenge also will include a pancake breakfast.
