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SALT LAKE CITY — With a long weekend right around the corner and a forecast for warm weather, it's not too early to start planning your Memorial Day weekend.
There will be a record number of travelers hitting the road for the three-day weekend, according to AAA. It expects 2.7 million Mountain West residents will travel 50 miles or more this weekend.
Luckily, there are numerous activities for you to enjoy right here in Utah. We've created a list of some events to help make this Memorial Day weekend a memorable one.
Fort Douglas Memorial Day March and Service
The public is invited to attend a free Memorial Day program hosted by the Fort Douglas Military Museum, Association of the United States Army and Army Reserve. There will be a gathering Monday for those who want to participate in a solemn march from 9:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
The march to the cemetery will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will be followed by a program featuring a wreath-laying ceremony and bagpipers at 10 a.m. Brig. Gen. Dallen Atack, of the Utah National Guard, will also speak at the event.
Date: May 26
Location: 32 Potter St., Salt Lake City (Parking is available at Research Park)
West Jordan City Memorial Day Tribute
The city's annual Memorial Day tribute will begin at 7 p.m. and last one hour, featuring three speakers — Rep. Jim Matheson, Major Gen. Jefferson Burton and Brig. Gen. Neal Black. The program will focus on fallen women soldiers, as well as service members who have been taken as prisoners of war or who are missing in action.
There will also be a Humvee on display, a 21-gun rifle salute and an honor guard.
Date: May 26
Location: 1985 W. 7800 South, West Jordan
Herriman City Memorial Day Celebration
There will be a chuck wagon breakfast from 7-11 a.m. at the Main Street Park. A free Memorial Day tribute ceremony will start at 9 a.m., with Riverton American Legion Post 140 presenting patriotic music and poetry in memory of those who have passed on. The program will also include a 21-gun salute and reading of veteran names.
Date: May 26
Location: 1300 S. 5900 West, Herriman
Cowboy Poetry and Western Music Festival
The festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary and will feature various musicians and poets throughout the weekend. Visitors can also take a ride in a historic wagon, participate in various children's activities or visit a cowboy mercantile trading post.
Dates: May 23-26
Location: Fielding Garr Ranch, Antelope State Park
Heber Valley Railroad Wild West Days
Hop on the Heber Creeper for a 45-minute train ride that includes a visit by train robbers and a cowboy sing-a-long. There will also be staged gun fights, wagon rides and roping at the depot. A complete schedule of train departure times can be found online. Tickets cost $15 for general admission.
Dates: May 23, 24 and 26
Location: 450 S. 600 West, Heber City
Homestead Resort Crawfish Festival
The third annual Crawfish Festival will give attendees a chance to enjoy Southern food while listening to live New Orleans-style jazz music. The menu includes crawfish boil pots, shrimp po' boys and Cajun BBQ chicken.
Admission costs $30 for adults and $25 for children 12-years-old and younger.
Date: May 24
Location: 700 North Homestead Drive, Midway
Another classic Memorial Day activity is camping, and with the weather warming up, many of the state and federal campgrounds are open for outdoor enjoyment. Campgrounds that will be open include those in Dixie National Forest, the Fremont National Forest's Fremont River Ranger District and the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest's Salt Lake Ranger District.
The status of additional campgrounds and trails can be found online.
