On Memorial Day weekend, we remember and honor fallen veterans of all wars through quiet reflection and ceremonies.
Many cities, communities and towns across the Tar Heel state are holding a day of remembrance to honor those heroes.
Besides remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice, there are still plenty of festivals and fireworks going off to highlight the extended holiday weekend, too.
Read more details on how to take part below.
Memorial Day remembrance in Cary 
2024 Memorial Day Remembrance at Veterans Freedom Park (Town of Cary Website)
The Cary Town Council and the Cary Town Band will gather at Veterans Freedom Park at 1517 North Harrison Avenue Monday at 2:30 p.m. to remember fallen service members and veterans.
Speaker Paul Berry, Triangle Network Senior Director of the Veterans Bridge Home, will be the special guest speaker. After 30 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Paul retired as a Command Sergeant Major. He served in a number of countries around the world, including Ghana, South Korea, Poland, Morocco, Somalia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Paul received numerous military awards, including the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star, and now works to prevent suicide among service members and veterans.
They’ll also plant 200 flags in the park.
Huntersville honors U.S. Armed Forces
This ceremony will mark 24 years of honoring U.S. Armed Forces in the town of Huntersville.
It begins Monday at 11 a.m. at Veterans Park on 201 Huntersville-Concord Road, with American Legion Post 321, honoring members of the U.S. Armed forces.
Battleship North Carolina observes Memorial Day
People from all generations will assemble on the deck of Battleship North Carolina on No. 1 Battleship Road in Wilmington Monday to pay their respects to fallen heroes.
The ceremony will begin with a guest speaker, followed by a Color Guard presentation, a 21-gun salute that will echo across the water, a military band and rendition of taps. Finally, a memorial wreath will be tossed into the water.
The ceremony begins at 3 p.m. and is free to attend.
Asheville’s 2025 Memorial Day ceremony
The City of Asheville will host their annual Memorial Day Ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday at the Western North Carolina State Veterans Cemetary on 926 West Old Highway 70 in Black Mountain.
The Honorable Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette, Secretary of the NC Dept of Military and Veterans Affairs, will speak at this year’s event. Mallette, a third-generation service member appointed by ex-Gov. Stein, boasts a decade of active service and experience as a Judge Advocate General’s Corps prosecutor.
It’s sponsored by State of North Carolina, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Council and Buncombe County.
NASCAR Coca-Cola 600
Start your engines for the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 Sunday. Its the 66th year for the race.
Organizers say they, too, plan on honoring the service men and women of the U.S. armed forces during the patriotic race.
The event includes a pre-race salute and other military appreciation activities, such as a concert and driver appearances.
Carrboro Bluegrass Festival
If you’re looking for some music and good food, look no further than the Carrboro Bluegrass Festival this weekend in Carrboro.
Less than a mile from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Cat’s Cradle has featured bands like Nirvana, Public Enemy and John Mayer in years past. Jim Lauderdale, The Po’ Ramblin Boys, and other artists will perform at this festival set for Saturday at 2 p.m.
And it’s a win-win as part of every ticket sold this weekend goes to Helene relief in western North Carolina.
Living Conservatory
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ Living Conservatory of ‘Butterfly Room’ opens to the public Saturday. It features living plants and animals like butterflies, a two-toes sloth, tarantulas, snakes and more.
On average, the Museum’s Tropical Dry Rainforest exhibit attracts around 1,200 visitors, they said.
You can visit the Living Conservatory seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Sept. 1.
