An Auburn committee made up of city officials and representatives from local veterans’ groups has announced several events for Memorial Day weekend.

The annual Twin Cities Memorial Day Parade will take place on Saturday, May 24 at 9:30 a.m. The route will start in Lewiston and cross the bridge to include Great Falls, Turner and Court Streets in downtown Auburn. Following the parade, there will be a ceremony at Veterans’ Memorial Park, where veterans and local officials will honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Luncheon events at several Auburn American Legion and VFW posts will follow the service.

Two special programs will commemorate the holiday on Monday, May 26. At 11 a.m., there will be a Decoration Day Service at Oak Hill Cemetery in Auburn. “Decoration Day,” the original name for Memorial Day, honored Civil War dead by decorating their graves with flowers. The original 1868 celebration inspired local observances that have taken place in the Twin Cities since the end of the Civil War. Today we honor all Americans who died fighting in any war. The public is welcome to attend.

At 2 p.m., the Woman’s Literary Union and the City of Auburn will present a concert at the Foss Mansion, where singer Larry Gowell will perform a medley of songs honoring all veterans. Headquarters of the Women’s Literary Union, Foss Mansion is located at 19 Elm Street. Admission will be free for veterans and WLU members; others will be asked to make a goodwill donation to benefit a local veterans’ service project and the restoration of the Foss Mansion. Refreshments will be served.

The members of the Memorial Day Planning Committee are Pauline St. Pierre of American Legion Post 31; Hugh Brown of VFW Post 1603; Peter Cook of American Legion Post 31; Tibby Dupuis of American Legion Post 153; Keith Davis of VFW Post 1603; Commander Dan St.Pierre of American Legion Post 153; Paul Bernard of American Legion Post 153; Auburn Ward 5 City Councilor Leroy Walker, and Auburn Ward 1 City Councilor Tizz E. H. Crowley.

For more information about these Auburn events, contact Leroy Walker at 577-2694 or Tizz Crowley at tcrowley@auburnmaine.gov.