Speaking of summer, who’s excited for Memorial Day? 🙋‍Lest we forget while we’re lounging in the pool with a beer in-hand, the reason for this upcoming holiday is to remember + honor U.S. military veterans who died while serving their country.

There are plenty of ways to celebrate this holiday weekend in GVL:

GORUCK + Ride | May 25 at 9 p.m. | Mayberry Park | Want to test your endurance? Sign up for this biking activity or cheer on the participants (we won’t judge). This event is in honor of Staff Sergeant David B. Roten Jr. | $70 to participate | Event will conclude on Saturday with the GORUCK Light at 8:30 a.m. (Carolina Triathlon)

Memorial Day Celebration | U.S. National Whitewater Center | May 25 – May 27 | 5 and 8-mile trail races, yoga, live music on Sunday afternoon + evening, and a fireworks display at dusk.

Suited to Swim | Paris Mountain State Park | May 26, 1 – 3 p.m. | Help look for salamanders, frogs, ducks, aquatic insects, as well as signs of our resident beaver population, on this unusual scavenger hunt | $7/person payable at welcome station or free with Park Passport Plus

BBQ and Moonshine | May 26, 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Sugar Tit Moonshine Distillery | 330 Main St, Reidville (20 miles from Greenville)

5th Anniversary Memorial Sunday Day Party by Diamond South Events | May 27, 6 p.m. | Otto Izakaya Downtown, 802 South Main St | Tickets here
Memorial Day service and Family Fun Day | Victor Veterans Park in Greer | May 26 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | The event is hosted by American Legion Post 115 and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 115 based in Greer.

Anderson County Veterans Association Memorial Day observance | Veterans Memorial on McGee Road in Anderson | May 26 at 11 a.m. | Retired Air Force officer Susan Stockton will be the guest speaker.

Memorial Day Murph | Crossfit Reaction, 9 Ferguson St | May 28, 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Memorial Day Weekend Family Fun | Chimney Rock State Park | May 28 | Visit the newly reopened Grotto, Subway and Pulpit Rock, which offer incredible views you won’t see anywhere else in the Park

Veterans Memorial Ceremony | Mauldin Cultural Center | May 27 at 11 a.m. | Speakers include the first female ROTC graduate of Clemson.

Update: The Greenville County Memorial Day Ceremony on May 27 at County Square has been cancelled due to weather.