5/26/22 - Memorial Day - Unofficial Start Of Summer

Drivers are headed out of town, while communities get ready to celebrate and also honor veterans.

Traffic is expected to be heavy later today as more people head out of town early for the Memorial Day weekend.  Experts predict about a 50% increase in normal travel time today in larger cities.

Starting Friday, MDOT is removing lane restrictions on more than 63 percent of its road and bridge projects statewide to ease traffic delays for holiday travelers.  Drivers are still being advised of temporary shifts or shoulder closures. 

AAA Michigan estimates more than 1.1 million Michigan residents are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

State Police say drivers can expect to see an increased number of patrols to make sure laws are being obeyed and conditions are safe for other drivers. 

Campgrounds are filling up and many will head to their cottage for the unofficial start of summer. 

Temperatures are expected to be warm by later in the weekend and authorities are issuing words of caution for those heading to a lake and reminding people about boater safety.

A number of communities have parades and ceremonies and other events planned for the weekend.  

(WOODTV8) - Some of those parades include:

Barry County

• Hastings parade | Monday, May 30 at 9:30 a.m. | Event details
• Hickory Corners parade, events | Monday, May 30, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Event details
• Middleville parade | Monday, May 30, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Event details

Berrien County

• St. Joseph parade | Friday, May 27, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. | Event details

Branch County

• Coldwater service and parade | Monday, May 30, 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Event details

Calhoun County

• Battle Creek veterans honoring VAMC | Thursday, May 26, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. | Event details
• Marshall service and parade | Monday, May 30 at 9:30 a.m., parade at 10 a.m. | Event details

Ionia county

• Ionia parade and ceremony | Monday, May 30 at 10 a.m. | Event details
• Portland services | Monday, May 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Event details

Kalamazoo County

• Climax parade and other events | Monday, May 30, 7 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. | Event details
• Kalamazoo MCL ceremony | Monday, May 30, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Event details
• Vicksburg parade | Monday, May 30 at 10 a.m. | Event details

Kent County

• Caledonia cemeteries processions | Monday, May 30, at 9 a.m. at Alaska Cemetery; 9:45 a.m. at Blain Cemetery; 10:30 a.m. at Dutton Cemetery; 11:15 at Holy Corners Cemetery; 12 p.m. at Caledonia Cemetery | Event details
• Cascade Township ceremony | Monday, May 30 at 10 a.m. | Event details
• Grand Rapids parade -, ceremony of remembrance | Monday, May 30 at 10 a.m. | Event details
• Lowell parade | Monday, May 30 at 10 a.m. | Event details
• Plainfield Township commemoration | Thursday, May 26 at 7 p.m. | Event details
• Walker parade | Monday, May 30 at 12 p.m. | Event details
• Wyoming ceremony | Monday, May 30, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Event details

Muskegon County

• Fruitport parade | Monday, May 30, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. | Event details
• Lakeside ceremony | Monday, May 30 at 12 p.m. | Event details
• Muskegon parade and music ceremony | Monday, May 30 at 9 a.m. | Event details

Newaygo County

• Fremont parade | Monday, May 30, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. | Event details

Ottawa County

• Georgetown Township parade | Monday, May 30 at 9 a.m. | Event details
• Grand Haven parade | Monday, May 30, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. | Event details
• Grand Haven musical fountain special | Monday, May 30, 9:45 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. | Event details
• Holland parade | Monday, May 30, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Event details
• Hudsonville service | Monday, May 30 at 10 a.m. | Event details
• Jamestown Township parade | Monday, May 30 at 10 a.m. | Event details
• Olive Township service | Monday, May 30, 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. | Event details
• Spring Lake parade | Monday, May 30 at 10 a.m. | Event details
• Zeeland parade | Monday, May 30 at 9 a.m. | Event details