Downtown World War I Museum Center of Memorial Day Weekend

The National World War I Museum and Memorial overlooking downtown will be the center of Memorial Day weekend activities peaking with the “Great Balloon Glow” event Sunday evening.

The free balloon event starts at 6 p.m. and features anchored hot air balloons glowing as their propane burners keep them inflated, according to a release from the museum.

“The public is encouraged to gather safely on the 47 acres with friends and family to listen to live music, grab a bite to eat from a local food truck and picnic,” according to the release.

Strawberry Swing will be on-site with handmade and vintage vendors specializing in painting, photography, woodworking and more.

Admission to the museum and memorial will be free for veterans and active-duty military personnel beginning today through Monday, while general admission for the public is half-price all weekend, according to the release.

The World War I Museum and Memorial will host activities throughout Memorial Day Weekend. (Photo courtesy National WWI Museum and Memorial)

Other activities include:

–A free vintage military vehicle display, 10 a.m. through 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. It will include military vehicles from World War I, World War II, Korean War and Operation Desert Storm. A vintage Huey helicopter from the Vietnam War era also will be on display from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

–Memorial Day Ceremony, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday. The formal program will included a keynote address from Lieutenant Colonel Eric Jacobson. Jacobson was formerly a battalion surgeon with multiple overseas deployments and was former director of medical operations at the Javits New York Medical Station.

–Memorial Day Bell Tolling Ceremony, noon Monday. The ceremony will honor “those who made the ultimate sacrifice” with a bell tolling ceremony featuring a presentation of colors, a wreath laying and a moving reading, according to the release.

The World War I Museum and Memorial will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday. Visitors are encouraged to allot additional time for parking during the weekend.