Free Memorial Day Events And Activities In Dallas 2018

Memorial Day weekend in Dallas offers numerous free events and activities for residents and visitors to honor the nation's service members while enjoying entertainment and family-friendly experiences. In 2018, the Dallas area provided a variety of options including free museum admissions for military personnel, outdoor concerts, community gatherings, and special events at popular attractions. These opportunities allowed community members to celebrate the holiday without financial barriers, with many events specifically designed to honor military personnel, veterans, and first responders.

Free Museum Admissions for Military Personnel

Dallas participated in the Blue Star Museums program during Memorial Day weekend 2018, offering free admission to active-duty military personnel and their families. The Blue Star Museums program, in its 10th summer at that time, provided complimentary access to cultural institutions across the country. Four Dallas museums specifically participated in this program:

• Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance
• Frontiers of Flight Museum
• Museum of Geometric & MADI Art
• Nasher Sculpture Center

Additionally, military personnel and their families could access four other Dallas museums that offer free general admission throughout the year to all visitors. According to Jennifer Scripps, director of the Office of Cultural Affairs, the city was grateful to service members and military families, proud of the many Dallas museums supporting them through free admission. This initiative aligned with priorities in the 2018 Dallas Cultural Plan, which emphasized arts and culture as crucial to building an equitable, diverse, and connected community.

The Blue Star Museums program was available to those currently serving in the United States Military—including Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard—as well as members of the Reserves and National Guard. The program ran from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day on Monday, September 2, 2019.

Dallas Arboretum: Free Admission for Military and First Responders

The Dallas Arboretum offered complimentary admission to active duty members, veterans of the United States military, and first responders during Memorial Day Weekend 2018. To take advantage of this offer, military personnel and first responders needed to provide valid photo identification.

The Arboretum presented a special program called "For the Love of Music," featuring live music performances each afternoon from Friday, May 25 through Monday, May 28. During this period, the Arboretum maintained regular operating hours from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The music schedule included:

• Friday, May 25: The Grooves at 2:00 p.m.
• Saturday, May 26: Squeezebox Bandits at 2:00 p.m.
• Sunday, May 27: Empty Pockets Band at 2:00 p.m.
• Monday, May 28: Eddie Coker at 11:00 a.m. and Corey Breedlove at 12:00 p.m.

On Memorial Day itself, the Arboretum added special family-friendly activities including face painting and a petting zoo in the Pecan Grove. The venue also offered affordable concessions with two-dollar hot dogs and root beer floats.

Memorial Day Concert and Fireworks Display

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra presented a free Memorial Day Concert & Fireworks Display on May 28, 2018, at Flag Pole Hill at White Rock Lake. This family-friendly event provided an opportunity for the community to come together in honor of veterans. The concert featured patriotic musical performances by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, culminating in a grand finale fireworks display that evening.

The event took place at the following address: 8100 Doran Circle Dallas, TX 75238

Attendees were encouraged to bring picnic baskets to enjoy their favorite warm-weather eats and treats during the concert, which began at 8:15 p.m. Additional information could be obtained by calling 214-849-4376.

Memorial Day Observance at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery

The Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery provided a solemn opportunity for community members to pay their respects during Memorial Day 2018. Located at 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, the cemetery has been welcoming visitors to honor fallen servicemen and servicewomen since its establishment in 2000.

On Memorial Day, May 28, 2018, the cemetery hosted a Memorial Day Service at 11:00 a.m., allowing attendees to participate in traditional remembrance activities. This location offered a dignified setting for those wishing to observe the holiday in a more traditional manner, reflecting on the sacrifices made by service members.

Community Events and Festivities

Memorial Day weekend in Dallas featured several community-focused events that combined entertainment with opportunities to give back:

Brew-BQ at Deep Ellum Brewing Company

The 8th Annual Brew-BQ took place on May 27 at Deep Ellum Brewing Company, located at 2823 St Louis St. This event combined barbecue and beer, featuring live performances from Somebody's Darling, Atlantis Aquarius, and Matt Tedder. Triple G provided food service, and all attendees received three drink tickets to spend on Deep Ellum's specialty, seasonal, and unreleased brews. The event had a community-centric focus, bringing together residents for food, music, and beverages.

Dallas Margarita Meltdown

On Sunday before Memorial Day, the Dallas Farmer's Market (920 S. Harwood St.) hosted the famous Dallas Margarita Meltdown. This event featured top bartenders competing for bragging rights and a $1,000 prize for the best margarita in the city. Attendees could purchase sampling tickets to try all the contenders and cast votes for their favorites. All proceeds from this event benefited Oak Cliff Furry Friends, a non-profit organization supporting homeless pets in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Fur Fun Run

Recognizing that pets also make sacrifices, Noble Rey Brewing Company in the Design District hosted a Fur Fun Run on May 26. Located at 2636 Farrington St., this event acknowledged the contributions of service animals and provided an opportunity for pet owners to celebrate their furry companions.

Pop-Up Barbecue at White Rock Lake

A notable free offering during Memorial Day weekend 2018 was a Pop-Up Barbecue at White Rock Lake. Sponsored by North Texas Honda Dealers as part of their "Random Acts of Helpfulness" campaign, this event took place on Saturday, May 26, starting at 11:00 a.m. at the White Rock Lake Stone Tables & Pavilion (553-683 E. Lawther Drive, Dallas).

The barbecue featured food from One90 Smoked Meats, completely free of charge, along with complimentary sides including potato salad and green beans. The event was first-come, first-served, with organizers noting that the delicious aroma might attract substantial crowds. The pop-up concluded at 3:00 p.m.

This initiative kicked off North Texas Honda Dealers' plan to distribute free tanks of gas, which continued from Memorial Day weekend through July 4. The campaign emphasized "no strings attached" assistance to the community.

Planning Your Memorial Day Weekend in Dallas

When planning to attend these free events and activities during Memorial Day weekend 2018, visitors and residents considered several factors:

1. Transportation: Some events, like the Memorial Day Concert at Flag Pole Hill and the Pop-Up Barbecue at White Rock Lake, were located at specific outdoor venues. Attendees arranged for parking and transportation in advance, as these popular locations might experience increased traffic during the holiday weekend.

2. Weather Considerations: As Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer in Texas, attendees prepared for potentially hot temperatures by bringing water, sunscreen, and appropriate clothing for outdoor events.

3. Family-Friendly Options: Many events catered to families, with the Dallas Arboretum offering face painting and a petting zoo, and the Symphony concert encouraging picnics with children. Parents considered the timing of events, especially those with younger children, to ensure everyone could enjoy the activities.

4. Respectful Observance: For more solemn occasions like the service at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, attendees dressed appropriately and maintained respectful behavior throughout the ceremony.

5. Food and Drink: While some events provided complimentary food and beverages, others encouraged attendees to bring their own. For events like the Margarita Meltdown, sampling tickets were available for purchase.

Conclusion

Memorial Day weekend 2018 in Dallas offered numerous free events and activities that allowed community members to honor service members while enjoying entertainment and family-friendly experiences. From free museum admissions for military personnel to outdoor concerts, community gatherings, and special events at popular attractions, Dallas provided accessible options for all residents and visitors. These opportunities demonstrated how the city came together to celebrate the holiday without creating financial barriers, with many events specifically designed to honor military personnel, veterans, and first responders. Whether through traditional observances at the national cemetery, festive community events like the Brew-BQ, or simple offerings like the free pop-up barbecue, Dallas provided meaningful ways to observe Memorial Day while enjoying the company of friends and family.

Sources

1. Multiple Dallas museums offer free admission to military personnel and their families
2. Dallas Symphony Memorial Day Concert & Fireworks Display
3. Memorial Day Weekend events in Downtown Dallas
4. Free Pop-Up Barbecue on Memorial Weekend
5. Free admission for military at Arboretum Memorial Day weekend
6. Memorial Day in Dallas