Melody Miles Race and Memorial Day Observances on Weekend Calendar

Memorial Day weekend is, first and foremost, a time to remember and honor the ultimate sacrifice made by members of our country’s Armed Forces.

But it is also the unofficial start of summer and a getaway three-day weekend for many people, who head to the lakes, mountains, the Cape and other destinations. But not everyone is headed out of town and for those that are staying close to home there is plenty going on – including taking part in Memorial Day observances on Monday.

Topping the list of events is Saturday’s Melody Miles road race in Hamilton – a truly unique event where musicians from the serenade runners along the race route. The event is a fundraiser for The Friends of the Arts.

Get the when and where below for the road race and other happenings in Hamilton, Wenham and the nearby area.

Remember, each Friday morning brings you a quick guide to local events and activities.

Remember, if you have great ideas of your own that you want to share, please feel free to add them in the comments section at the bottom.

1. MELODY MILES ROAD RACE

Where/When: ; Saturday, 10 a.m. (registration starts at 9 a.m.)

Why Go: It is an that is wonderfully unique, with runners in both a 5K and 5 mile race being serenaded along the course. There’s also a fun run at 10:45 a.m. The race serves as the largest fundraiser of the year for The Friends of the Arts, a group that helps pay for instrument lessons, arts-related programs and field trips, plus the purchase of instruments and other supplies for the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District.

Pricing: $20 on race day

2. ROSE GARDEN PLANTING

Where/When: Lynch Park, 55 Ober St., Beverly; Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-noon

Why Go: The Rose Garden at Lynch Park – a regional treasure that is the setting for dozens of weddings each summer – will be getting some new rose bushes on Saturday with the help of some volunteers. The garden was first planted nearly a century ago by Marie Evans but still takes ongoing TLC to keep it in top shape.

Pricing: Free

3.

Where/When: ; Saturday, noon

Why Go: Do you want to learn how to plant a great looking garden that can also produce food? Well, this free workshop at Green Meadows Farm will help you come up with a way to do it. Veteran gardener Barbara Emerson will put on the workshop.

Pricing: Free

4. LE GRAND DAVID

Where/When: Cabot Street Theater, 286 Cabot St., Beverly; Sunday, 3 p.m.

Why Go: Le Grand David and the accompanying magic show is a sometimes forgotten treasure here on the North Shore and the 36th season wraps up with a Sunday afternoon show. While the show in now without Marco the Magi, the entertaining magic show is always a treat.

Pricing: $26 for adults and $15 for children 11 and under.

5. MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCES AND PARADES

Where/When: Downtown Wenham; Monday, parade starts at 2 p.m. and to to and ; Monday, parade starts at 8:55 a.m.

Why Go: Memorial Day is, before everything else, a day to remember those who died in defense of our country. Observances and parades in both towns are scheduled for Monday. In Hamilton, the parade kicks off from Town Hall at 8:55 a.m. and heads to Hamilton Cemetery before returning to the Honor Roll in front of Town Hall. From there it proceeds down Bay Road to the Community House and Patton Park.

In Wenham, the parade kicks off at 2 p.m. from the , heads north of School Street to Perkins Street to Bruce Lane and then down Arbor Street on Main Street and before returning.

For complete details on the observances in both towns, refer to the PDFs that are attached to this story.

Pricing: Free