Memorial Day generally marks the beginning of summer. Many of you have plans to go swimming, enjoy a crawfish boil or cookout with family and friends. If you have yet to plan anything special for today, we have put together a list of  Memorial Day happenings.

We wish you a Happy Memorial Day! We remember and honor the brave men and women that have sacrificed so much to preserve and protect our freedoms. Thank you to those that have served and continue to serve, we appreciate you!

Guide to Memorial Day happenings around Baton Rouge

• USS Kidd – Veterans and community members are invited to a Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony being sponsored by the USS KIDD Veterans Memorial on May 26. The ceremony will be held in the Louisiana Memorial Plaza, located at 305 South River Road, at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 26th. This event is free and open to the public. 342-1942, www.usskidd.com Free of charge.

• Baton Rouge Concert Band Memorial Day Concert: Monday, May 26 7:00p, Louisiana State CapitolThe Baton Rouge Concert Band will playing at the State Capitol steps on Memorial Day, May 26 at 7:00pm. Free of charge.

• Ascension Veterans Memorial Park Committee will host a Memorial Day observance at Veterans Park, Gonzales, LA at 11 a.m. Hundreds will gather around the Park Amphitheater to remember those soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country so that we may continue to live our lives in freedom. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary will serve refreshments and pass out Buddy Poppies to observers. A multi high school choir will lend their voices in song. Local JROTC organizations will be standing sentinel throughout the park. Local Chapter Rolling Thunder motorcycle riders will stand guard over a coffin symbolizing the fallen soldiers for the duration of program. The Veterans Park is located at 612 S. Irma Blvd in Gonzales (next to Ascension Parish Library).

Outlying Area:

• MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY: 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Bouligny Plaza, 102 W. Main St., New Iberia. Flag ceremony, 21 gun salute and patriotic music. Free. (337) 344-9397. 
• MEMORIAL DAY AT PARAGON: 10 a.m., Avoyelles Veterans Monument, La. 1, Marksville. The ceremony will include a 21 gun salute performed by the Avoyelles Parish Honor Guard. A reception will follow. All veterans and active military personnel can enjoy a free buffet on Memorial Day.

The following will be closed:

• All city-parish, state and federal offices
• Post Offices and most banks
• Public Libraries
• Public Schools and Public Universities
• CATS buses will run on Saturday schedule

Tomorrow we will bring you some neat summer learning activities for the kiddos! Be sure to subscribe to Baton Rouge Moms to get our posts in your inbox! {Sign up via the subscribe box in the right sidebar}

Happy Memorial Day!

Resources: http://theadvocate.com