Yes, it’s going actually going to be summer! The grass and trees are finally green, the farm fields are planted and the weather is getting progressively and consistently warmer. Patience in waiting it out is being rewarded! Memorial Day weekend is a time of both remembrance and the unofficial start to summer, with activities encompassing both.

People have come together to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country since the earliest ceremonies following the Civil War. As it was done then with the laying of wreaths and placing of flags, so it is still done today on this national day of remembrance. Another tradition is a Memorial Day parade, so as Washington, D.C., and Chicago for example, hold a Memorial Day Parade, so does Delavan. It will be on Monday, May 28, and begins at Main St. and Walworth Ave., in the Downtown, at 9 am. The parade goes to Spring Grove Cemetery for a ceremony that includes a rifle salute and taps.

The unofficial kick-off to summer has a wide variety of activities to go along wit this weekend. Start the weekend at N.E.W. Dueling Piano Guys on Friday, May 25, at 8 pm. It’s a fun night of music ranging from Billy Joel to Britney Spears to Bruno Mars and whatever you can think of to challenge them to play! The Piano Guys are the perfect combo of concert, comedy and creativity that will have you tapping your toe, laughing out loud and singing along! If you can’t make it Friday, they play Saturday as well, same time.

Saturday, May 26, at Delavan Lake Resort, from 2 – 4 pm, will help kick-off summer with Sangria and Saxophones. Hang out on the ‘patio’, sipping the first specialty sangria of the summer, Pineapple Moscato Summer, and listen to the cool sounds of live saxophone music. Other specials include $2 Affogatos (that’s a shot of espresso over a scoop of ice cream), $2 Rootbeer floats, and a free Delavan Lake souvenir with any apparel purchase. Sunday, May 27, from 9 am – 2 pm, start the day off with a Bloody Mary at the Build-Your-Own Skewer Bar! Bring out your inner bartender by putting together your own skewer from the variety of fun ingredients that will be provided.

Memorial Day weekend is typically when the bulk of the outdoor beautification happens, with hanging baskets, flowers, gardens, etc. are being thought of. Congdon Garden‘s will those their annual garden sale, this year titled ‘Through the Garden Gate’, on Saturday, May 25, from 9 am – 3 pm. Come browse the garden art and unique shrubs & trees for sale, as well as books, food, and various garden vendors attending. Get ideas from the variety of different areas at the Gardens to then do at your own home.

Rosewood also brings you a Bloody Mary and a Mimosa with their unlimited Bloody Mary & Mimosa Bar as part of their Memorial Day Sunday Brunch, held on Sunday, May 27. Seatings are at 11:30 am and 1 pm, offering up a unique, farm-to-table brunch with a chef-attended pasta station, omelets made-to-order, carving station, displayed hot & cold buffets, all finished off with their delectable sweets table.

Rosewood also begins this weekend their ‘Sunset on the Patio‘ event. Imagine Sunday afternoons from 5 – 10 pm, gathering with friends on a rustic and elegant patio with wine, beer and the summer beverages of your choice. Add grilled vegetable and meat kabobs, multiple fire pits, live music, dancing and special entertainment features, all as the sun sets over the beautiful Wisconsin country side. This is so the place to be with the expansive 4,000 square foot patio, cabana bar, raised gardens with flowers and herbs, a wood bonfire pit as well as gas fire pits, and comfy Adirondack chairs you’ll want to try and sneak home for your own deck or patio!

For a lake view on Sunday, May 27, find your way to Lake Lawn Resort and the Lakeside Lawn Party & Sizzling Pig Roast Buffet, 4:30 – 7 pm. Live music by Triple D will also be happening so your ears as well as your taste buds will be happy! The menu will leave you both satiated and wanting for more as you won’t be able to stop eating – it’s so good! Enjoy pulled whole rotisserie roasted pork sandwiches with smoked apple bourbon barbecue sauce, KC style cracked black pepper barbecue chicken, or Wisconsin grilled bratwurst burgers and this comes with all the summer buffet fixings of greens, pasta, potato, and fruit salads, brisket baked beans, jalapeno cheddar chive corn bread muffins with honey butter, and then there’s the desserts of make-your-own spring berry shortcake and chocolate peanut buttercream cupcakes. Oh my goodness…!

No matter how you choose to spend Memorial Day weekend in Delavan, there’s something to do, and so much in fact, you’ll just have to come back! To help plan that return trip, go to

VisitDelavan.com