SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — On Memorial Day we celebrate the beginning of summer with picnics and happy get-togethers, but it’s important to take a few minutes to remember and honor the members of our armed forces who have paid the ultimate price in service to our country.
Also this weekend, the Vista Strawberry Festival returns with tons of tasty strawberry treats, live entertainment, and ABC 10News reporter Jared Aarons emceeing one of the funniest pie eating contests.
Plus, Santee is bringing along more deliciousness with a craft beer festival and street fair.
THURSDAY
Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero
Where: Manchester Grand Hyatt; Cost: $18 - $26
Enjoy a movie under the stars as Rooftop Cinema screens comedy, action, and classic films on the Manchester Grand Hyatt's fourth-floor terrace. The outdoor venue hosts bottomless popcorn, cocktails, games, and of course city views under the stars.
Star Wars Tribute Night
Where: The Shout House; Cost: Free if wearing Star Wars attire
The Shout House in the Gaslamp is calling all Star Wars fans to the final duel of the galaxies. The Dueling Piano show will be request-driven like a normal night, with a touch of Star Wars.
FRIDAY
Valley Center Stampede Rodeo & Memorial Festival
Where: Valley Center; Cost: $15 - $20, Free for 5 and under
(Friday & Saturday) This family-friendly rodeo will also feature food booths, crafts, carnival games, pony ride, petting zoo and more. The festival begins Friday at 4 p.m. with the rodeo starting at 7 p.m. honoring military service members and first responders. A Memorial Wall honoring fallen service members will be at the nearby Star Valley Park.
Padres vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Where: Petco Park; Cost: Varies
What better way to kickoff Memorial Day weekend, than with Padres Pitchers' beach towels. Celebrating Snell, Musgrove, and Darvish, the first 35,000 fans in attendance will receive one pinstripe beach towel at Friday's game.
SATURDAY
Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival
Where: Riverview Parkway and Town Center; Cost: Free
Visitors will get to enjoy more than 300 food and craft vendor booths, craft beer from local breweries, local art, a kids zone, live entertainment, a beer garden, and more.
Movies in the Park
Where: Waterfront Park; Cost: Free
San Diego’s Summer Movies in the Park series kicks off this holiday weekend. Food trucks, games, crafts will be the backdrop for the first showing of the summer: Encanto! Dogs on leashes are invited too. Showtime is at 6 p.m.
San Diego River Cleanup
Where: Location given after registration; Cost: Free
Come lend a hand to keep our local river clean while supporting local veterans. Bags, gloves, buckets and hand sanitizer will be provided. Recycle For Veterans and The San Diego River Foundation are spearheading this event.
SUNDAY
Vista Strawberry Festival
Where: Downtown Vista; Cost: Free
The annual Strawberry Festival returns to downtown Vista, once called the Strawberry Capital of the World. Visitors will enjoy live entertainment across multiple stages, craft beer garden, frozen t-shirt contest, carnival rides, strawberry-themed pie eating contests, 5K run and kids runs, strawberry costume contest, and more.
Coronado Summer Concert Series
Where: Spreckels Park; Cost: Free
The 2022 series will feature 15 concerts at the historic Spreckels Park making it the perfect summer activity for music lovers. The opening show will feature local favorites the Coronado Concert Band and Side Traxx.
MONDAY
Fort Rosecrans Memorial Day
Where: Virtual
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on Cabrilla Memorial Dr. will hold its annual services virtually to commemorate the fallen service men and women with war veteran organizations, auxiliaries, and patriotic groups.
Raise a Glass to Help Veterans
Where: barleymash (Gaslamp); Cost: Varies
Barleymash is joining forces with the Honor Foundation, a nonprofit that is dedicated to assisting veterans. They’ll be serving up themed cocktails such as the Bunker Hill, Yorktown, Gettysburg, and Midway. Guest will also enjoy tasty barbecue including baby back ribs, baked beans, burgers, corn bread, coleslaw, strawberry shortcake trifle, and more.
Mt. Soledad Memorial Day Ceremony
Where: 6905 La Jolla Scenic Drive S., La Jolla
Mt. Soledad's annual ceremony will be held in person and virtually to pay tribute to a specific veteran in addition to service members. This year, Marine Corps Major Megan McClung will be honored. She was the first female Marine officer to be killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Legacy Week
Where: USS Midway Museum
The USS Midway Museum will host Legacy Week with a lineup of activities from a wreath laying to a blood drive to a missing-man flyover and parachute jump. The museum will also have interactive exhibits available celebrating military heroes and heritage.
Oak Hill Memorial Park Memorial Day Event
Where: 2640 Glenridge Road, Escondido
After two years this annual Memorial Day Ceremony returns to Escondido. It will include singing of National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance led by local Boy and Girl Scout troops and Girl Scout troops, and recognition of fallen service members buried at the cemetery. A barbecue follows at the Veterans Memorial Building/American Legion Post 149.
Miramar National Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony
Where: Virtual
Honored guests will speak and hold services online commemorating service members who gave their lives and commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Midway.
San Marcos Cemetery Memorial Day
Where: 1021 Mulberry Drive
Honoring Service and Sacrifice. VFW Post 3795 is hosting the event and it will feature music, color guards, food, guest speakers, and more.
Chula Vista Memorial Park
Where: 373 Park Way
The city honors its veterans with a monument in Memorial Park inscribed with the names of Chula Vista residents who have died in war. Veterans Park, at 785 East Palomar Street includes a prominent “Walk of Honor” walkway paved with bricks inscribed with the names of veterans.
Fallbrook Memorial Day Celebration
Where: 1177 Santa Margarita Drive
Community members in the East County will mark a Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Masonic Cemetery followed by lunch at noon at Fallbrook Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1924.
The Veterans Association of North County
Where: VANC Resource Center, 1617 Mission Ave.
The group will host a ceremony featuring guest speaker Brigadier Gen. Jason Woodworth. A complimentary lunch will be served after the program.
