Portsmouth announces 2024 Memorial Day events; facility closures

Special to Seacoastonline
·2 min read
VFW Post 168/Frank Booma Legion Post 6 commander Josh Denton conducts Memorial Day Wreath-laying ceremony.
VFW Post 168/Frank Booma Legion Post 6 commander Josh Denton conducts Memorial Day Wreath-laying ceremony.

PORTSMOUTH — The city announced its collaboration with VFW Post 168 and the American Legion's Frank E. Booma Post 6 for 2024 Memorial Day observances.

On Friday, May 24 at 11 a.m., the annual Wreath-Laying Ceremony will be held in Prescott Park by the anchor sculpture. The ceremony includes a performance of patriotic music by the Portsmouth Middle School ensemble and a wreath-laying on the Piscataqua River to honor those service members lost at sea.

On Monday, May 27, the Memorial Day Parade steps off at 1 p.m. on Parrott Avenue and pauses at South Cemetery for a brief ceremony. The parade route travels from Parrott Avenue to Pleasant Street to Market Square, and then down Congress Street to Middle Street to Richards Avenue where the route crosses South Street to the cemetery. After the ceremony, the parade continues along South Street to Junkins Avenue and concludes on Parrott Avenue.

In the event of rain, both ceremonies will be held at the American Legion Hall at 96 Islington St. Any changes will be announced on the city website and via social media.

Also on Monday, May 27, at 10 a.m., the USS Albacore Submarine Memorial Park will host its annual Memorial Day ceremony.

Memorial Day 2024: Parades, ceremonies in Seacoast NH and southern Maine are listed here

City facilities will observe the following adjustments for Memorial Day:

  • City Hall will be closed on Monday, May 27 and will reopen on Tuesday, May 28, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • The Portsmouth Public Library will be closed on Saturday, May 25, Sunday, May 26 and Monday, May 27.

  • The Department of Public Works trash and recycling collection on Monday will be combined with collections on Tuesday, May 28. There will be no yard waste collected on either day. The Recycling Center is open on Saturday, May 25 and will be closed as usual on Friday and Monday.

  • Recreation facilities: All facilities, except the Boat Launch and Marina, will be closed on Monday, May 27.

  • The Robert P. Sullivan Boat Launch and Prescott Park Marina are open.

  • The Senior Activity Center is open for regular Saturday hours, 9 a.m. – noon for the Drop-in Lounge

  • Spinnaker Point is open for regular Saturday and Sunday hours, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

  • Connie Bean Center is open for Open Gym on Saturday and Sunday with reduced hours, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

  • The indoor pool will be closed all weekend for a swim meet.

  • Community Campus will be closed due to Prescott Park Arts Festival rehearsals in the gym

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth NH 2024 Memorial Day events; facility closures