22-05-2025
What to expect for travel, weather, events this Memorial Day weekend
May 22—With Memorial Day coming this weekend, north Alabamians' plans vary from travel to staying and observing the holiday with a local memorial service.
AAA predicts a record-breaking 45.1 million Americans will travel a minimum of 50 miles from home between Thursday and Monday. Of these travelers, 39.1 million are projected to travel by car, 3.61 million by air, and 45.1 million by other means, such as train, bus or cruise.
"Last year was our busiest overall travel year of all time for the year as a whole, and we may break that record again this year," said Clay Ingram of AAA Alabama
Ingram said Alabamians will find gas prices around $2.75 per gallon for regular unleaded gas in the state. These prices are 45 cents cheaper than the average around Memorial Day last year. The current national average cost of gas sits slightly higher at $3.18, about 42 cents cheaper than last year.
To save money, people can use the AAA free mobile app's fuel price finder to locate the cheapest gas station based on their location, Ingram said. He recommends travelers check their tire pressure, fluid levels, wiper blades and lights before their trip.
"You want to plan ahead, too, with the driving preparation," Ingram said. "You want to be sure you have someone else in the vehicle that's in charge of all the 'administrative duties,' I call them — things like reading the map, answering the phone, changing the radio station, handing out snacks, whatever it might be, so that the driver can keep his or her focus on the road at all times."
With a higher number of drivers on the road, Ingram said the chance of accidents and fatalities goes up. Last Memorial Day weekend, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency investigated 324 car crashes, with six fatalities.
"Cars are going to be closer to you than they normally are," Ingram said. "Your margin of error is going to be less. Your reaction time is going to be less. You don't want to be distracted behind the wheel." — Memorial services
For residents remaining in the Decatur area, several Memorial Day services will honor those who gave their lives while serving in the military.
The American Legion Post 15 will hold a service at 10 a.m. Monday at Roselawn Cemetery. It will include an empty hat ceremony, the posting of the colors, the draping of the POW MIA flag, recognition of the armed forces, and a roll call of the soldiers that died in the past year. Gold Star mothers will place wreaths on shepherd's hooks of veterans who died in war.
Emma Landrum, a local Girl Scout on a mission to provide veteran markers for unmarked veteran graves, will share her Forgotten Warriors project. Major General Frank J. Lozano, the program executive officer of missiles and space at Redstone Arsenal, will attend as the special speaker.
Post 15 will also hand out poppies on Friday in remembrance of veterans.
Vets Like Us will host a service at 11 a.m. Monday at the Gold Star Memorial Monument at Daikin Amphitheater in Founders Park. During that time, attendees can help read the 209 names of the soldiers from Morgan County who have died in service from the start of World War I until now.
Heather Collins, Vets Like Us director of projects, said the memorial will also include a surprise this year, which she thinks military families will appreciate.
The Alabama Veterans Museum in Athens also has a service at 11 a.m. Monday. The keynote speaker will be Major General Douglas S. Lowrey, commanding general of the U.S. Army contracting command at the Redstone Arsenal.
The Moulton American Legion plans a service at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Sunset View Cemetery, just north of Moulton. — Other activities
Many look forward to the Memorial Day weekend as the unofficial start of summer.
The Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic will take place Saturday and Sunday at Point Mallard Park. In addition to the hot-air balloons, attendees can enjoy live music, bouncy houses, an arts and crafts show, a car show and an antique tractor show.
The weekend also marks the season opening of area waterparks and pools, including Point Mallard Aquatic Center on Saturday. — Weather
The chance of rain increases throughout the holiday weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Huntsville.
Friday will be mostly sunny with a high in the lower 70s. Saturday's high will be in the upper 70s, with a 20% chance of rain. Cloud coverage will increase throughout the day. Sunday will warm up even more, with a high in the upper 80s. The chance of rain increases from 30 — 50% throughout the day, with scattered showers and thunderstorms possible. Monday has the highest chance of rain at 70%.
NWS Huntsville Meteorologist Jennifer Saari recommends people take advantage of the nicer weather earlier in the weekend and prepare for rain later.
"Get in what you can Saturday," Saari said. "Find indoor activities you can do as a family Sunday and Monday."
For people wanting to attend the Jubilee, she said Saturday would be the better day to come out. Because hot-air balloons require specific weather conditions to take flight, Saari is unsure they'll be able to take off, particularly on Sunday.
She recommends residents stay "weather aware," checking the radar before they leave the house. This way, they know what to expect upon arriving at Point Mallard Park.
People should bring raincoats and rain boots with them to Sunday and Monday events, Saari said. They may also find it helpful to download a weather app on their phone so they can leave before rain reaches an area.
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