As the weeks turn into months with the stay-at-home quarantine restrictions, weekends seemingly have become just a blur of days, for some.
With Memorial Day weekend upon us, for example, typical behavior includes celebrating the unofficial start of summer, having cookouts with family or friends, taking trips or honoring veterans.
Though many restrictions remain in place and we’re somewhat limited as to ways we can celebrate, there are still some ways to make this holiday weekend different than last weekend, or the weekend before that.
It’s still barbecue time
While large gatherings are still not allowed for a cookout, that doesn’t mean you can’t make a feast for you and your quarantine crew.
You can still enjoy the art of grilling and the taste of the food, though you may be a few guests short. So, marinate that meat and get to cooking. It’s an activity your immediate family will still certainly appreciate.
Canyon Country resident Chad Zimmmerman’s family has had a Memorial Day cookout since he can remember, which is why he says he won’t let quarantine get in the way.
“Our Memorial Day celebration usually consists of food, cornhole and more food,” Zimmerman said, as he shopped for supplies at his local grocery store. “My dad usually brings over his cornhole game, and because he can’t come this year, I’m taking it as a sign I should build my own set this year.”
The Zimmermans also plan on video chatting with their extended family to host their annual cornhole tournament, making the most of their weekend from afar.
Bring the vacation to your living room
If cooking isn’t your thing, instead, order some food from your favorite restaurant or even bring home some of those fruity drinks you’ve been missing.
Several SCV restaurants are offering meal deals that include their signature margaritas and cocktails, such as La Cocina, Alamo Restaurant or The Backyard Grub N’ Brews for those who prefer beer.
Though it may not be the beach getaway you were hoping for, it will still taste pretty great.
Tune into a virtual Memorial Day ceremony
Every year, Eternal Valley Memorial Park and Mortuary typically hosts its traditional Memorial Day ceremony, which due to “Safer at Home” orders has been canceled.
Even so, the Santa Clarita Valley’s Memorial Day Committee has decided to find a way to keep the celebration alive with a virtual event.
While the public will not be invited to attend, organizers will honor those who have fallen in a small ceremony that the public will be able to tune into virtually later that day.
Newly elected Congressman Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita is expected to speak during the ceremony, while Trinity Classical Academy students are set to read the names of the veterans on Eternal Valley’s memorial wall.
The Memorial Day Ceremony is scheduled to air 6 p.m. on Monday. The ceremony can be seen on scvnews.com or on SCVTV’s local television channel via Spectrum Cable’s Channel 20 and AT&T’s Channel 99.
Honor the day with a virtual tour
While you may not be able to visit some of the national landmarks, you can still recogonize the importance of the day.
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery with a virtual tour, featuring original photographs of the amphiteater’s construction, with a narration of how it has evolved and how Americans have remembered military service and sacrifice over the past century.
Or, take a virtual tour of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to learn more about the wall and each way the memorial honors those who have fallen.
Run a virtual race
Memorial Day is also traditionally a day to don your red, white and blue and participate in a walk or run.
Though many planned races have been canceled this year, you can still participate in the tradition on your own.
“My family is big on 5Ks, so we were bummed we couldn’t participate this year,” Castaic resident Sharon Duncan said. “But, we decided to just run one on our own through one of our favorite trails. Thankfully those are open now.”
A number of organizations are also hosting virtual runs on the holiday set to benefit charities or veteran programs, where all you have to do is sign up and run your own course to participate.
