10+ Ways to Spend Memorial Day Weekend
Make Plans to Spend Your 2024 Memorial Day Weekend in Lake County, Ohio
Whether you spend your Memorial Day Weekend observing and honoring those who served our country, celebrating our heroes and families at outdoor picnics, taking a quick getaway or traveling to kick-off the unofficial start of summer, Lake County, Ohio has everything you need.
Parades & Ceremonies
Madison, OH Memorial Day Parade - May 27 from 10:30 A.M. - 12 P.M.
Jay Wilson Post 112 American Legion Madison, OH
Madison, OH Memorial Day Parade - Parade Route: South Elementary 92 E. Main Street to Madison Village Park Learn More
Mentor - Memorial Day Observance & Ceremony - May 27 at 9:30 A.M.
6881 Hopkins Rd., Mentor, OH 44060
The ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 27, 2024, at the Mentor Municipal Cemetery located at 6681 Hopkins Road. It will be preceded by a solemn procession which will step-off at 9:30 a.m. from Memorial Middle School located at 8979 Mentor Avenue.
The procession will proceed north on Hopkins Road and enter the cemetery at the third entrance, stopping at the Memorial Promenade. All participants are reminded that this is a solemn event held in honor to those that died in service to our country. Learn More
Painesville City - Memorial Day Parade - May 27 at 10 A.M.
385 Riverside Dr. Painesville, OH 44077
Parade marches from Riverside Cemetery (385 Riverside Dr.) to Evergreen Cemetery, 501 E. Main St., Painesville, OH 44077. Learn More
Willoughby - Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony - May 27 at 9:30 A.M.
Join the American Legion Post #214, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1500, and the City of Willoughby as we honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the military for our country.
Parade Route : The parade starts at 9:30 a.m. at Erie Street/Third Street to Euclid Ave., turn on Park Ave., then Murray Ave. and finish in the cemetery for the ceremony.
11 a.m. – A second ceremony at Willoughby Memorial Gardens Cemetery on Lakeshore Blvd.. Learn More
Special Events You Can’t Miss
2024 WIAC Memorial Bocce Tournament featuring Sumrada - Saturday, May 25
29717 Euclid Ave, Wickliffe, OH
The 2024 WIAC Memorial Bocce Tournament featuring "Sumrada" (7 p.m.-11 p.m.) on Saturday, May 25th. Join us for the all-day event as 48 Bocce Teams are set to compete for the Memorial Belt alongside "Sumrada" performing live! Food (Trevi Catering), Beverages (WIAC Bar) will be available for purchase along with Raffles Prizes! Learn More
2024 Just Run Lake County Friends & Family 5K - Saturday, May 25
Lake Metroparks Fairport Harbor Beach Park. Fairport Harbor, OH, 44077
Registration includes a Just Run Lake County 5K race shirt (if pre-registered by 5/14), a race bib for official 5K results, and finishers medal for all! Packet Pick-ups: Thursday 5/23: 1-6 p.m. and Friday 5/24: 12-4 p.m. at Second Sole Mentor, 8791 Mentor Ave Race open to all runners/walkers who want to support the program Post-race food and music will also be provided! Learn More
Cleveland’s First Bubblefest at Lake County Captains - Saturday, May 25
Lake Metroparks Fairport Harbor Beach Park. Fairport Harbor, OH, 44077
Join the Captains as they host an environmentally friendly gathering celebrating all things that float - whether it's balloons, bubbles, or anything else buoyant, we've got it covered. The only things going too far into the sky will be Captains' homers! The first 500 fans get free bubbles. The game is also BYOB (bring your own bubbles). Learn More
The Lake County Captains continue to play at home in Eastlake, OH on Saturday and Sunday. Learn More
Rabbit Run Theater - Monty Python’s Spamalot - Friday, May 24, Saturday, May 25 & Sunday, May 26
5648 W. Chapel Rd., Madison, OH 44057
Located near the shores of Lake Erie in Madison, Rabbit Run Theater is Ohio's premier barn theater, and one of the few barn theaters still in operation. Every summer, from the beginning of June through the end of August, Rabbit Run offers outstanding live theater in a beautiful sylvan setting in the heart of the Grand River Valley Wine District. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic dinner to enjoy the show! Learn More
Painesville Car Cruise - Friday, May 24, 5 P.M. - 9 P.M.
1 Liberty Street, Painesville, Ohio 44077
Painesville’s famous Car Cruise is back starting May 28 and is every Friday on the Square. Stroll through vintage, muscle, and unique vehicles lining beautiful Veterans’ Park while enjoying music and snacks. See you every Friday through September, weather permitting. Learn More
Nature’s Beauty & Green Thumbs
Holden Arboretum - Pollinator Express - Opening Saturday, May 25
Pollinator Express is coming to the Holden Arboretum, featuring miniature trains and larger-than-life botanical sculptures. The exhibit features G-scale model trains chugging through a landscape of iconic sculptures that depict unique plants from around the globe, paired with the insects and animals they depend on for pollination. Exhibit included with general admission – tickets will be available for advance purchase online beginning in May.
Bluestone Perennials - Open Friday, May 24 Only!
7211 Middle Ridge Rd., Madison, OH 44057
Bluestone Perennials welcomes walk-in visitors and tour groups to their retail outlet. Over 250,000 square feet of greenhouses filled with over 3 million plants are maintained at this family-owned nursery in Madison, OH. Stroll around and feast your eyes on hundreds of plant varieties available for purchase, including select annuals.
April to Mid June Hours
Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (Eastern)
Saturday: 9:00 - 4:00 pm (Eastern)
*Closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday of Memorial Day Weekend
Beach Days
Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park & Beach - Opens Memorial Day Weekend
Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park is featured in Coastal Living’s ultimate summer list, “The Best Beaches in America” as the Best Beach in Ohio.
Local’s Tip: Don’t forget to pop into the Fairport Harbor Creamery for hand-made ice cream and fresh bakery items or an afternoon pick-me-up at Julbean’s Coffee & Crepes.
9601 Headlands Road Mentor, OH 44060
The trademark of Headlands Beach State Park is its massive 35-acre Lake Erie beach. Enjoy sunbathing and swimming opportunities, go on the hunt for unique beach glass, or phenomenal Lake Erie sunset viewing. Picnicking is available throughout the park and a paved hike/bike trail that runs along the park’s back dunes provides excellent views of the beach and lake.
Local’s Tip: Call ahead and order a Cleveland-style pizza to enjoy beachside from Mama Robetro’s.
Grand River Valley Wine Country
Within a 10-mile radius you’ll find the area’s finest boutique and estate wineries, where you can sip and sample award-winning Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and our region’s famous Ice Wine. Visit our breweries and distilleries and enjoy expertly-crafted beers and sample small-batch spirits. Take a tour, learn how it’s made, and dine in a remarkable setting only found within the Grand River Valley Region of Lake County, OH.
Local’s Tip: Book a wine shuttle when you stay overnight at the Holiday Inn Express- Madison or Hampton Inn Madison. Contact individual hotels for pricing and availability before booking.
Rain Day Back-Ups
We aren’t weather forecasters, but we do know in Northeast Ohio it is smart to plan for sun, wind, rain, and clouds! Here are a few indoor places to explore Memorial Day weekend in Lake County, OH!
Extend the weekend and stay the night at one of our hotels or boutique lodging in Lake County, OH, near Cleveland just 30 minutes east on the shores of Lake Erie.
Thinking about visiting Downtown Cleveland while you’re in the area? Be sure to check out their upcoming events at www.thisiscleveland.com/
Are you interested in joining our list? Email epitkin@mylakeoh.com to learn more about how to partner with the Lake County Ohio Visitors Bureau!
