Vicksburg has a number of events to keep the holiday weekend busy for anyone looking to hear music, watch living history and remember veterans.

Memorial Day chairman Willie Glasper is coordinating the events scheduled Monday for the 37th year.

“Everything is open to the public, and it is free,” Glasper said, including all parade floats. “They just need to show up.”

The parade of veterans will begin at 10 a.m. with the lineup starting at 9 a.m. Monday at the intersection of Belmont and Washington streets. The parade will start at that intersection and will travel north on Washington until it concludes at Jackson Street.

“Looking for a good turnout, hoping all civic clubs, social clubs, churches, community organization, participate in the parade,” Glasper said.

A Memorial Day Service will be held at 11 a.m. at Vicksburg City Auditorium. Pastor Casey Fisher of Greater Grove Street Baptist Church will give the message, and the keynote speaker will be his son Captain Bryan Fisher of the South Atlantic Division of the Army Corps of Engineers.

“I thought that was kind of unique to have the father, son doing the memorial recognition on this day,” Glasper said.

A Wreathing Laying Ceremony will follow the service at 12:30 p.m. at the National Cemetery. A motorcade will lead the way on Fort Hill Drive.

“Following that we will go to the American Legion Post 3 for fellowship,” Glasper said, which is located at 1712 Monroe St.

Glasper said Memorial Day is a time to recognize, remember and honor those who died for freedom and their country, and he hopes many people will attend Monday’s events to express their gratitude.

“Our veterans have played a major role in the success and freedom that we share daily,” Glasper said.

He has looked up to servicemen his whole life with his father being a World War II veteran and his brother serving during Vietnam.

“I’ve always treasured a soldier,” Glasper said remembering trying on his brother’s uniform when he was home. “I just always loved the soldier for what they stood for.”

Glasper said he regrets not being able to serve in the armed forces himself, but he now serves as the local commander for the Sons of the American Legion Post 213 and is the state commander for the Sons of the American Legion.

“Our hearts and minds go out to the soldiers that are still serving and are still fighting,” Glasper said.

The Vicksburg National Military Park will host the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra Saturday for a Pops Concert to commemorate Memorial Day Weekend.

The free concert, held on the grass in front of the VNMP Visitor Center, will begin at 6 p.m. with The Church of Holy Trinity Conservatory of Fine Arts Student Orchestra followed by the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra at 7 p.m.

“We want both the community and visitors to bring their lawn chairs and blankets and join us for an evening of music in a truly sacred place,” said Bess Averett, executive director of Friends of the Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign.

The concert is sponsored by Friends of the VNMP and Campaign, Four Seasons of the Arts and Trustmark National Bank, and will feature different genres of music for the summer kick-off holiday.

“There is something very special about hearing music, especially patriotic music, on hallowed ground. It is the perfect way to honor the men and women who have died in service to our nation,” Averett said.

Parking will be available at the Outlets at Vicksburg and free shuttle service will be offered from 5:30 p.m. until everyone has left the park. Handicap parking will be at the VNMP Visitor Center.

The park will also host re-enactors from the 3rd U.S. Colored Calvary at the park Saturday and Sunday to present living history programs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day at the Old Administrative Building located in the park on Pemberton Avenue.