Weekend Planner: Memorial Day Events Around Dexter

Memorial Day weekend – the first holiday weekend of summer, as it's called, is a few days away – a time for parades, picnics and perhaps a cottage-opening trip up north.

It's also a more solemn occasion for many families, as befits the name Memorial Day. Graveside visits, flag placements and memories of former service members are part of the late May ritual for millions of Americans.

Dexter Patch has put together a list of activities going on around the area for families to enjoy this weekend:

Saturday

• Rummage, Plant and Bake Sale

Chelsea's Youth Dance Theater will hold a giant rummage, plant and bake sale, on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is held rain or shine at the Washington Street Education Center, 512 E. Washington St. in Chelsea. More than 40 families will be participating. The sale includes a variety of rummage items and perennial plants available. Find some great bargains, then satisfy your sweet tooth at the bake table.

• 2012 VFW Open House and Military Display

VFW Graf- O’Hara Post 423, 3230 S. Wagner Road in Ann Arbor, will host an open house and military museum display. The post will be open May 25-28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Items to be on display include uniforms dating from World War I, medals, web gear, weapons, helmets, boots, patches, and personal items.

• Camp Skills Rock!

Camp Skills Rock!, an interactive day long workshop for children and teens, builds self-confidence, expands their vision of what they feel is possible for themselves and provides opportunities to learn outdoor skills in a fun and safe environment. Stations will be available focusing on different “camp” skills, such as how to paddle a canoe, climbing a rock wall, and fishing, pitch a tent, and  map reading. The camp is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The cost is $10 per child between the ages of 5-14. Camp Skills Rock! takes place at Gallup Park, 3000 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor.

Sunday

• Nunsense at the Encore

Take the evening off and enjoy a stage show at Dexter's . The theater is currently performing the classic comedy Nunsense. For tickets and more information, visit www.theencoretheatre.org.

• Civil War Re-enactment at Greenfield Village

More than 450 re-enactors will help bring the Civil War era to life May 26-28, during Civil War Remembrance in Greenfield Village. Throughout the weekend, guests will learn about various aspects of life on the warfront and the homestead with presentations from noted historians, military and civilian camps throughout Greenfield Village’s 80-acre campus, military re-enactments, dramatic presentations, and more.

On Saturday, Greenfield Village is open late with special evening hours until 9 p.m. And on May 28, hundreds of guests will gather on the Village Green at noon to remember fallen soldiers with a special procession and reading of Michigan author J. Wesley Benedict’s poem “The Last Camp,” while all past and present military members in attendance are recognized.

Civil War Remembrance is free with membership or admission to Greenfield Village. Tickets are $24 adults, $22 senior (62 and up) and $17.50 youth (5-12). Children four and under are free. For more information, call 734-982-6001.

• Detroit Zoo

In celebration of the 2012 Memorial Day weekend, the Detroit Zoo will remain open until 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. On Memorial Day, the zoo will close at 5 p.m. The zoo opens at 9 a.m. daily.

Monday

Join the Dexter American Legion and Dexter Area Historical Society to celebrate the 68th annual Memorial Day parade. The parade begins at 10 a.m., proceeded by a special veteran's ceremony in Monument Park at 9 a.m.

• Chicken Broil

The Dexter Knights of Columbus Council No. 2959 are hosting their annual Memorial Day Chicken Broil at the hall, 8265 Dexter-Chelsea Road, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. or until sold out on May 28.

Webster United Church of Christ will be selling barbecue dinners on Memorial Day to fund the church's outreach ministry programs.

Dinners include barbecue chicken or ribs, a choice of two sides (baked beans, cole slaw, potato salad or corn) and dessert (cookies or cake). The cost is $11 per adult and $6 for children ages 12 and under. There will also be a cake walk and bean bag toss for kids. Dinners will be served beginning at noon, followed by a cake walk at 1 p.m.

• Dexter Cubmobile Races

Dexter Cub Scout Pack 477 will host their second annual soapbox derby races from 2-4 p.m. at Dexter High School. The public is invited.