From grocery store hours and boater safety, to things to do and sales-tax free items, here’s everything you need to know before holiday plans begin.
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Ahead of Memorial Day weekend, it’s important to know how the federal holiday impacts daily life in North Texas.
Observed every year on the last Monday in May, Memorial Day honors members of the armed forces who died while serving.
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From grocery store hours and boater safety, to things to do and sales-tax free items, Memorial Day weekend in the Dallas-Fort Worth area is always a busy three days. Here’s everything you need to know before holiday plans begin.
What is Memorial Day?
Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday in May, has been celebrated since the years following the Civil War to honor fallen soldiers, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Memorial Day differs from Veteran’s Day due to its specific focus on those who died while serving as opposed to all veterans. The holiday is often observed with visits to memorials and cemeteries alongside ceremonies and parades.
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Related: Five things to know about Memorial Day
How is North Texas honoring fallen veterans this weekend?
The family of Andy Nguyen will march at the annual Dallas Carry The Load Memorial March on Sunday in his honor. Nguyen was a Marine Corps veteran who helped establish 22KILL, a veteran suicide awareness organization. He died April 22.
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The march is a signature event put on by Carry The Load, a Dallas nonprofit. For 20 hours, families, veterans and supporters will walk Reverchon Park and along the Katy Trail to honor those who died serving their country or because of their service.
The event begins at noon Sunday with the opening of the Reverchon Park gates, followed by an opening ceremony at 4 p.m. and the start of the march. A silent walk will occur at midnight, and the event will commence with closing ceremonies Monday.
Related: Family to honor 22KILL founder at Dallas Carry the Load March
How will Memorial Day weekend impact traffic and gas?
In order to ensure the safety of participants in the Dallas Carry The Load Memorial March, a few road closures will occur around Turtle Creek Boulevard from Maple Avenue to Reverchon Park and from Maple Avenue to Fairmount Street.
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Weeklong closures along the Dallas North Tollway will last through the weekend and conclude Tuesday, May 26.
Rising gas prices will make holiday travel more expensive. Gas prices in North Texas are averaging above $4. North Texans can find the cheapest gas in their area by utilizing the Dallas Morning News’ comprehensive list.
Related: Memorial Day: Higher fuel prices have some Americans scaling back their travel plans
What store are open, closed on Memorial Day?
Federal offices and banks close for the holiday, but most major retail stories will stay open.
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The United States Postal Service will be closed, meaning mail will not be delivered Monday. FedEX and UPS will also pause deliveries.
Dallas and Arlington will continue garbage collection as usual, but other North Texas cities will pause collection for the day.
Major grocery stores including Kroger, H-E-B, Walmart, Whole Foods and Sam’s Club will remain open with normal hours. Costco will be closed all day.
Retail locations such as Target and North Texas malls will remain open, though it is recommended shoppers check with individual stores to confirm their hours.
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Most chain restaurants and local eateries will remain open, but small businesses may be closed.
Related: What’s open, closed on Memorial Day in Dallas, Fort Worth?
What is the forecast this weekend?
The National Weather Service’s Fort Worth office is predicting a rainy weekend. Rain chances fall on Friday, but climb back up by Saturday afternoon. Rain is likely Saturday night into Sunday morning. The rain should clear by Memorial Day, which the weather service predicts a cloudy morning and clearer afternoon.
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Related: When is the chance of rain highest in Dallas-Fort Worth over Memorial Day weekend?
What to do in Dallas-Fort Worth for Memorial Day?
In addition to Carry The Load, there will be events throughout North Texas in honor of the holiday, including parades, tributes and activities organized by local governments and veterans’ associations.
There will also be a number of festivals, markets, special events and family activities held throughout the weekend.
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These include Dallas Arboretum Memorial Day family fun weekend, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Memorial Day concert, a Memorial Day Cotton Belt route excursion on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad and a series of special offerings at restaurants across North Texas.
Related: Memorial Day in D-FW: What to do this long weekend
Who is having Memorial Day sales this weekend?
Over Memorial Day weekend, a sales tax holiday is in place for Texans, enabling the purchase of home items with an Energy Star or WaterSense label free of sales tax.
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Related: Texans can skip sales tax this weekend on some products for the home
This includes air conditioners priced at $6,000 or less, refrigerators at $2,000 or less, washing machines, dish washers, ceiling fans, dehumidifiers, bathroom sink faucets, showerheads and landscape irrigation controls.
Some items not qualifying include clothes dryers, freezers, stoves and water heaters.
Related: What items are not included in Texas’ tax-free holiday this weekend
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How can North Texans practice water and boat safety?
For North Texans heading to lakes and waterways over the weekend, there are a number of safety tips to be aware of. Wearing a life jacket, swimming with someone else and only in designated areas, supervising children, avoiding alcohol and being aware of surroundings are just a few ways to keep the long weekend free of accidents.
Related: How to stay safe this Memorial Day while enjoying North Texas’ lakes and waterways