Memorial Day celebrations are coming to Austin this weekend with a three-day weekend event at BUILD’s Austin headquarters. From tug-of-war competitions and face painting, to Brazilian dance and hip-hop performances, the event is for all ages.
The Invest in Peace Memorial Day Weekend event, hosted by the The Broader Urban Involvement and Leadership Development, or BUILD, will include different family-friendly activities and live performances Friday through Sunday, May 24 to 26, at the BUILD headquarters, located at 5100 W. Harrison St.
The event has a different theme for each day, but all are intended for the whole family.
On Friday, from 4 to 10 p.m., “Culture Fest” will include capoeira Afro-Brazilian dance and West African djembe drumming performances. On Saturday, from 3 to 11 p.m., “Family Field Day” will include activities like rock climbing and obstacle courses, and spoken-word comedy.
To end the weekend, the “Sunday Fun Day” runs from 5 to 11 p.m. with live musical performances including artists from country, hip-hop, blues, and house-music genres. Lawn chairs and picnic items are welcomed and recommended.
Bradly Johnson, chief community officer at BUILD, said that this weekend’s events are something that Austin residents typically have to go to other neighborhoods for. But this Memorial Day weekend, BUILD is bringing it right to Austin.
Johnson said they included events in this weekend’s lineup that a whole family can do together. He said growing up in Austin in the early 70s, being outside and having summer events were common, but these days — not so much.
“We want our community to have these experiences. Part of this is also to demonstrate to our community that we deserve this. That this is not something abnormal, it is normal to have these amazing events and to be together and to connect without fear,” Johnson said.
Johnson said that the event aims to reduce gun violence over Memorial Day weekend, and to increase a sense of community and belonging in Austin.
Sean Price, director of the peace and justice center at BUILD, said that this year’s Invest in Peace Memorial Day Weekend event is a “level-up” from last year’s one-day celebration. The need for safe and structured events for the youth remains the same.
“We are aware there’s a need for safe, family-centered structured events for our youth to participate in. But, we want to make sure it’s not just our youth participating in this. We want the parents to come out, the grandparents to come out, we want the community members, the single individuals to come out,” Price said. “We want to make this an intergenerational festive activity and event for all to enjoy.”
This weekend is the start of BUILD’s series of summer events. You can find out more information on what’s to come in the following weeks here.
On Thursday, May 23, a Pre-Memorial Day Observance event was held at the Veterans Peace Garden in Austin. The Austin Veterans Community Organization and The South Austin Neighborhood Association organized the event to memorialize William N. Dale, a U.S. Army Veteran and community activist in Austin.
For Memorial Day events happening outside of Austin this weekend, the Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony & Parade will take place on Saturday, May 25, at 11 a.m., at the Daley Plaza, located at 50 W. Washington St.
To see fireworks, Navy Pier will mark the beginning of their summer firework season with a firework show on Saturday, May 25, at 10 p.m, at Navy Pier.
