Memorial Day Ceremonies & Events in the Corridor & Cedar Valley

Memorial Day weekend is almost here, and there are several ways you can honor veterans here in Eastern Iowa in 2026!

If you'd like to do something to honor veterans this weekend, Cedar Memorial in Cedar Rapids is looking for volunteers on Saturday, May 23rd and Tuesday, May 26th. Beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, anyone is welcome to show up at the Cedar Memorial Family Center & Library to place American flags on the graves of veterans. There about 8,000 flags that need to be placed, which can take anywhere between two to four hours. The more volunteers they get, the faster it goes!

If Saturday doesn't work for you, Cedar Memorial will also need volunteers on Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. to help remove the flags. For more information, check out the Cedar Memorial website HERE.

Cedar Memorial will also kick off their annual Memorial Day Avenue of Flags on Saturday morning. Over 1,500 American flags, all donated by the families of veterans, "line the avenues from Saturday morning through Monday evening to honor our veterans and all those who serve in the military." They will be on display during the official Memorial Day Tribute on Monday at 11 a.m. All are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the ceremony, which will include enjoy patriotic music, a rifle volley, taps, and guest speakers.

Here are some of the other Memorial Day weekend ceremonies, as well as fundraisers/events for local organizations that you can check out:

Memorial Day Ceremonies

• Ridgewood Cemetery/Club 76 The Lodge, North Liberty
  • Monday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • "American Legion Post 1976 will host our annual Memorial Day services at Ridgewood Cemetery followed by our service at the Legion Post at 10:45a. This event will be followed by our luncheon provided each year from American Legion women’s auxiliary."
• Shellsburg American Legion Post 166, Shellsburg
  • Monday at 11 a.m.
  • "Please join 🇺🇸 for a special Memorial Day Service honoring and remembering those who served and sacrificed for our country. Come together as a community to honor our veterans and fallen heroes."
• Fairfax American Legion Pekomy Post 572, Fairfax
  • Monday at 10:30 a.m.
  • "Please join us on Monday, May 25th, 2026, at 10:30 AM as we come together to honor the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who have gone before us. Let us stand united in gratitude, remembrance, and respect for those who gave their last full measure of devotion to our nation."
• Solon Veterans Memorial/Solon American Legion Stinocher Post #460, Solon
  • Monday at 9 a.m.
  • "The Solon American Legion Stinocher Post #460 invites everyone to our Memorial Day Ceremony at the Solon Veterans Memorial next to the Legion Ballfield. Parking and shuttle service will be available at Lakeview Elementary School, and there will be a reception following the ceremony at the Legion. (Limited seating available so feel free to bring your lawn chairs.)"
• Sutliff Bridge, Lisbon
  • Monday at 6 p.m.
  • "The Solon American Legion Stinocher Post #460 invites everyone to our Memorial Day Ceremony at Sutliff Bridge, a service performed especially for those lost at sea."
• Troy Mills Cemetery, Walker
  • Monday at 11:30 a.m.
  • "Join us at the Troy Mills Cemetery for our Memorial Day Services. We will honor those lost at sea at the bridge in Troy Mills at 11:00 AM"
  • Hosted by Troy Mills American Legion Post 712
• Circle Grove Cemetery, Walker
  • Monday at 10 a.m.
  • "Join us to honor our deceased veterans on Memorial Day."
  • Hosted by Troy Mills American Legion Post 712
• Rogers Grove Cemetery, Ely
  • Monday at 11 a.m.
  • "Please join us on Memorial Day at 11:00 AM for our 105th annual Memorial Day Program at Rogers Grove Cemetery to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. You are welcome to bring folding chairs."
• Riverside Cemetery, Anamosa
  • Monday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
  • "09:00 am Service on east side of courthouse by War Memorial
    09:30 am March from High Street to Riverside Cemetery
    10:00 am Traditional Memorial Day Service at Riverside Cemetery"
  • Hosted by VFW Post 4077 and the Anamosa Chamber of Commerce
• The Mall at College Square, Cedar Falls
  • Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • "Come join us as we honor those who gave their life in service for our great country and the Cedar Valley. We will start at 10 am with a dedication of the food court to Hero Hall and then we will Walk for the Fallen."
• Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum, Waterloo
  • Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • "Join the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum for special Monday hours in recognition of Memorial Day. Veterans receive free admission. Coffee and light refreshments will be available. The Museum's Voices of Iowa: Pearl Harbor documentary will be playing at 11:45AM and 1:45PM."
• Traer American Legion Kubik-Finch Post 142
  • Monday beginning at 8:15 a.m.
  •  Locations/Times
    • 8:15 a.m. – Meet at the Memorial Building
    • 8:45 a.m. – West Union Cemetery
    • 9 a.m. – St. Paul Cemetery
    • Breakfast break at the Traer Golf Course
    • 10 a.m. – Blessing Cemetery
    • 10:30 a.m. – Geneseo Cemetery
    • 10:40 a.m. – Spencer Cemetery
    • 11:15 a.m. – Meet at Wolf Creek
• Ryan American Legion Post 692 - see locations/times below:

Get our free mobile app

READ MORE: All the Big Events Happening in Eastern Iowa in May 2026 [LIST]