Hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken and all kinds of good summertime foods will be on grills this Memorial Day weekend as the true, albeit unofficial, beginning of summer starts.
Of course many of us have family and friends coming into town this holiday weekend, so we’re also looking for plenty of activities keep everyone amused without breaking the budget.
National Memorial Day Concert: Brad Paisley and Lionel Richie will be among this year’s all-star performers at the concert– which also features appearances by Gen. Colin Powell and actress Blythe Danner — at this year’s free event on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Gary Sinise (Lt. Dan of “Forrest Gump” fame, who now travels with the Lt. Dan Band to entertain troops and also stars on the TV program “CSI: New York”) and actor Joe Mantegna (of the TV program “Criminal Minds”) will host the star-studded, PBS-televised event. Details: Free; gates open at 5 p.m. Monday. The closest Metro stations are Capitol South and Federal Center SW (Orange/Blue line); and Union Station (Red line); pbs.org/memorialdayconcert/concert
National Memorial Day Parade: Watching the marching bands and veterans units from all 50 states is a tradition for many families in the area. The parade begins at 2 p.m. Monday at the corner of Constitution Avenue and Seventh Street NW. Details: nationalmemorialdayparade.com
Rolling Thunder XXIII: Vietnam Vets roll through Washington on their motorcycles to honor their fallen comrades and bring attention to veterans benefits and POW/MIA issues. Watch the rally depart from the Pentagon at noon Sunday. Details: rollingthunder1.com
Wreath laying ceremony and concert: This event to honor all fallen veterans begins at 11 a.m. Monday at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Details: Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis; arlingtoncemetery.org
