Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and there’s no better way to kick off the season than with an RV trip! All over the Southwest, there are great things to around Memorial Day–whether you’re looking for memorable patriotic events or invigorating outdoor experiences. As you chart the course of your RV trip around Arizona and southern Utah this Memorial Day, here are a few of the events you may want to consider:
- The Star-Spangled Celebration in Laveen, Arizona. If you’re looking for an All-American Memorial Day celebration, you may want to start your weekend at the Star-Spangled Memorial Day Celebration in Laveen (just outside of Phoenix) on Friday, May 25, 2018. From 5pm to 9pm, people will be coming together to honor veterans, police officers, and firefighters in a community gathering that includes live music, food, a raffle, a car display, and a bike rodeo. Plus, the night ends with fireworks! See more info.
- The Arizona Caribbean Carnival in Phoenix, Arizona. If you want to spice up your Memorial Day weekend, another fun Phoenix-area event is the Arizona Caribbean Carnival. This celebration of Caribbean culture lasts from Friday to Sunday. One of the most prominent events of the weekend is the Masquerade Parade on Sunday at 10am, which always features colorful costumes and entertaining performances. See the website.
- Bye Bye Birdie Performance in St. George, Utah. If you’re hoping to take a lower-key approach to Memorial Day, consider traveling to St. George in southwestern Utah. On Saturday, May 26, Brigham’s Playhouse is putting on the musical Bye Bye Birdie–a comedic nod to the hallmarks of American culture in the 1960’s. Plus, St. George doesn’t tend to be overrun with tourists over Memorial Day weekend, so you can get in a good hike without worrying about the crowds. See the website.
- The Cave Creek Balloon Festival in Cave Creek, Arizona. If you want a chance to get up-close-and-personal with hot air balloons, make sure your RV trip includes a stop at the Cave Creek Balloon Festival on May 26, 2018. Between 7:30pm and 9:00pm, the balloons are inflated (but stay on the ground), and spectators get to enjoy the show! See the website.
Of course, Memorial Day may be one of your only chances for a big RV trip this summer, so you may be looking to visit some of Arizona’s more popular tourist destinations, like Grand Canyon National Park or Lake Pleasant Regional Park. If you do, make sure you plan ahead and drive safely through all the crowds!
Fire restrictions: If travelling or camping, be careful with fire. Most of our Northern Arizona forests are in fire restrictions. Some rumors say the Coconino National Forest will close prior to Memorial Day weekend. So plan ahead, and check with the U.S.F.S. about any restrictions or closures before you hit the road.
For more travel information for your RV trip in the southwest, check out our other Articles and Resources!