EDWARDSBURG — Memorial Day is a celebration to recognize the members of the United States armed forces who lost their lives while in service. This day often consists of parades, parties and some type of ceremony or event to assist veterans. This year in Edwardsburg, there are events to meet all three of these requirements.

The first event of the day is the Hero Haul, which is a food and item drive for veterans. It is hosted at the Edwardsburg Presbyterian from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, May 24, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Memorial Day. The items needed are toothpaste and toothbrushes, body wash, coats, briefs, socks, hats, gloves and various food items. Proceeds will go to the Battle Creek VA Medical Center, which serves more than 42,000 veterans.

The other two events of the day are annual Memorial Day parade in Edwardsburg and the festival at Gunn Park. The festival is hosted by the Edwardsburg Chamber of Commerce.

“[Gunn Park] is just a good location from the parade,” said Roy Smothermon, Edwardsburg Chamber of Commerce administrator. “It’s only a block north of where the parade is at, so it’s easy to get to, and there’s a lot of space there.”

Both begin at around 11 a.m. The festival will run until 2 p.m. Admission is free.

“This year we’re going to have lots of games,” Smothermon said. “A potato sack race, we’re going to have corn hole and all kinds of things for kids to do at the event. It’s an event that the chamber likes to do in conjunction with the parade, so we can provide information for people in the community, as well as provide some fun and entertainment for the kids.”

Other activities for children to do include a bounce house, a 52-foot blow-up obstacle course and a dunk tank. The chamber is still looking for volunteers to sit in the dunk tank. Typically, at least one member of local law enforcement participates.

“The kids really enjoyed it,” Smothermon said. “They get to throw a softball and put people in the water. They have a blast.”

He said that in a typical year, depending on the weather, the festival will attract between 600 and 900 people throughout the day.

“A big bulk of the people that watch the parade come down the street there and come through the festival,” he said.

In addition to games and activities, several vendors will be at the festival selling food such as BBQ, hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, water and more.

Smothermon said people should bring cash to purchase food or participate in the cakewalk.

“A lot of people come down there and that’s where they eat dinner,” he said.

The festival will also feature the local band Gypsy Red, which will play at the Gunn Park band stand.

For more information on the Edwardsburg Memorial Day Festival, contact the Edwardsburg Chamber of Commerce at (574) 343-3721.