Memorial Day means more than just a long weekend. It’s a chance to get out of the house and honor our veterans. This year, the weekend is full of ceremonies, services, parades and festivals all across Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties, that are sure to provide fun for everyone – veteran or not. So, cake on the sunscreen to watch a parade in the morning, then grab your cooler for a fun carnival treat later in the day!

Note: A few events happen before the big weekend

Greater Rochester Heritage Days

May 20-21, 2017

• Times: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
• Address: Rochester Municipal Park, 400 Sixth St., Rochester
• Phone: 248-656-0999
• Cost: free, donations encouraged

This annual fest features a lumberjack show, historical displays, including a Civil War encampment, craft and car shows and much more.

Birmingham Hometown Parade

May 21, 2017 

• Times: 1 p.m.
• Address: S. Old Woodward Ave. and Frank St. to Shain Park, downtown Birmingham
• Phone: 248-530-1880
• Cost: free

“Hats off to Our Heroes” is the theme of this annual procession. After, head to Spain Park for kids’ activities and more.

Southfield Memorial Day Service

May 26, 2017

• Time: 9 a.m.
• Address: Southfield City Hall, front steps, 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield
• Phone: 248-796-5130
• Cost: free

This annual event pays homage to veterans and active-duty service members with a presentation of colors, a 21-gun salute, a playing of Taps and more. Light refreshments are served in the lobby of City Hall, following the ceremony.

St. Mary’s Polish Country Fair in Orchard Lake

May 26-29, 2017

• Times: 5-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday
• Address: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Campus, 3535 Indian Trail, Orchard Lake
• Phone: 248-706-6775
• Cost: $6/person, $12/family, free/3 and under, fees/rides,  free/parking

Authentic Polish and American food, live entertainment, carnival rides, including an 80-foot roller coaster, games, art on display and more make up this annual event.

Sumpter Township Country Fest in Belleville

May 26-29, 2017

• Times: 5 p.m.-midnight Friday, noon-midnight Saturday-Sunday, noon-10 p.m. Monday
• Address: Sumpter Fairgrounds, 23501 Sumpter Road, Belleville
• Phone: 734-461-6201
• Cost: free, fees/rides and games

This annual blowout features everything you could want from a hometown fair including midway rides, games, live animals, car and craft shows, live music, a demolition derby, racing and more. There’s even a beer, bingo and casino tent for grown-ups to enjoy.

Macomb Fair & Expo in Mount Clemens

May 26-June 11, 2017

• Times: 4 p.m.-midnight Fridays, noon-midnight Saturdays, noon-11 p.m. Sundays and Memorial Day, 4-11 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; closed Mondays (except Memorial Day) and Tuesdays
• Address: Gibraltar Trade Center, 237 N. River Road, Mount Clemens
• Phone: 586-465-6440
• Cost: Free/entry, $22-$25/ride armbands

This annual Macomb County fest offers tons of family-friendly entertainment, including carnival games and rides. Plus, food, live entertainment and more.

Memorial Day Ceremony Livonia

May 27, 2017

• Time: 9 a.m.
• Address: Veteran’s Park Memorial Plaza, corner of Five Mile and Farmington roads, Livonia
• Phone: 734-466-2418
• Cost: free

Pay tribute to our veterans with military salutes, a wreath-placing ceremony, live music and special guests; plus a visit to the Memorial Wall, which pays tribute to fallen Livonia veterans.

Civil War Remembrance at Greenfield Village in Dearborn

May 27-29, 2017

• Times: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
• Address: The Henry Ford, Greenfield Village, 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn
• Phone: 313-982-6001
• Cost: Free with admission: $27/adults, $20.25/ages 3-11, free/ages 2 and under, $6/parking

There’s hundreds of Union and Confederate reenactors, artillery demonstrations, historian talks, live music, hands-on activities and much more all in celebration of Memorial Day.

Warren’s Greatest Garage Sale

May 28-29, 2017

• Times: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday-Monday
• Address: Warren City Square Parking Garage on Van Dyke Avenue, north of 12 Mile Road
• Phone: 586-268-8400
• Cost: $1/admission; fees vary for items

Find previously owned jewelry, furniture, household items, toys and clothing for sale, plus great deals on antiques and other collectables. There will be companies like Scentsy, Tupperware, Avon and others present, too. If you’ve cleaned out your closet and want to sell some things, tables are available for vendors (priced $10-$100).

Memorial Day Run in Novi

May 29, 2017

• Times: 6:45 a.m./late sign up, 8 a.m./10K, 8:15 a.m./5K, 9 a.m./one-mile
• Address: Fuerst Park, 10 Mile and Taft roads, Novi
• Phone: 248-974-8074
• Cost: $14/one-mile, $36/5K/10K

Choose from a 10K run, a 5K walk or run and a one-mile family run to support local charities.

Royal Oak Memorial Day Parade

May 29, 2017

• Time: 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.
• Address: Main and Harrison Streets, downtown Royal Oak
• Phone: 248-543-8420
• Cost: free

Celebrate Memorial Day at this annual procession, which concludes with the traditional post-parade memorial service at Veteran’s Plaza.

Grosse Pointe Memorial Day Service

May 29, 2017

• Time: 10 a.m.
• Address: Grosse Pointe War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Shores
• Phone: 313-881-7511
• Cost: free

This annual event features a Memorial Day service and other activities to honor those that have given their lives in this country’s pursuit of freedom. Other events happen at this Grosse Pointe spot throughout the week, too.

Farmington Memorial Day Parade

May 29, 2017

• Times: 10 a.m.
• Address: Steps off at the Grand River Avenue and Orchard Lake Road area and ends at the Farmington War Memorial Park area, Farmington
• Cost: free

This annual procession started back in 1970 and continues to celebrate our veterans, today.

Saline Memorial Day Parade

May 29, 2017

• Time: 10 a.m.
• Address: on Michigan Ave., downtown Saline
• Phone: 734-429-7310
• Cost: free

This annual procession, which is put on by The American Legion, celebrates fallen veterans with floats, music and more.

Memorial Day Parade in Downtown Northville

May 29, 2017

• Time: 10 a.m.
• Address: downtown Northville
• Phone: 248-348-1490
• Cost: free

This annual event attracts thousands of people of the downtown area to honor veterans of the past and present.

Novi Memorial Parade 

May 29, 2017 

• Time: 10 a.m.
• Address: Steps off at 10 Mile and Karmin to the Novi Civic Center, downtown Novi
• Phone: 248-347-0460
• Cost: free

Scout troops, local businesses and bands line up to honor the fallen at this annual tradition.

Sterling Heights Memorial Day Parade

May 29, 2017 

• Time: 10 a.m.
• Address: Dodge Park parking lot to Heritage Junior High School, Sterling Heights
• Phone: 586-446-2489
• Cost: free

This 38th annual honors the soldiers that gave the ultimate sacrifice with its theme “Honoring Service and Sacrifice.”