No Parade? No Problem.
Your Ridgefield Memorial Day Weekend Guide

Ridgefield doesn't do big parades on Memorial Day — but that doesn't mean the weekend is quiet. Between a genuine neighborhood remembrance, a free community event for kids, local business deals, wine and yoga at the vineyard, and two meaningful ceremonies a short drive away, there's plenty to work with.

Memorial Day in Ridgefield has its own quiet rhythm. The flags go up before most of us are out of bed. There's a ceremony at the cemetery. The businesses are open and a few are running specials. The refuge is there if you want to slow down. And if you're craving a real parade and solemn ceremony, Vancouver delivers both — about 20 minutes south.

Here's everything going on this weekend, from Friday through Monday.

Saturday, May 23 — Kids Ride Safe Event at Outer Rim Bicycles

Saturday is the biggest community event of the weekend, and it's free. Outer Rim Bicycles is hosting their Kids Ride Safe Event right here in Ridgefield, and they've pulled in what feels like half the town to make it happen.

The theme is simple: let's come together and keep kids safe. The event features a car show, Bounce N Battle inflatables, Rally the Raptor, and raffle prizes for both kids and adults. And it's supported by a genuinely impressive list of local and familiar businesses, including AT&T, Eight Cow Creamery, Papa Murphy's, Yoga Ridge, Riverview Bank, Pioneer Nails, Copper Bell, Wash Kings, Studio C Hair Salon, Lemon Drop Aesthetics, Playmakers, and more.

This is a great Saturday activity for families, and a reminder of what this community does when it decides to show up for something. Bring the kids and plan to stay a while.

Live Music All Weekend

This weekend has a surprisingly good music lineup spread across a few of Ridgefield's local spots. Friday kicks things off and Saturday is especially stacked — you could genuinely venue-hop your way through the evening.

Friday, May 22

Saturday, May 23

Saturday night is where it gets interesting — three separate venues, three different sounds, all within easy reach of each other.

Weekend Deals Around Town

A handful of local businesses are running specials this weekend — worth knowing about before you head out.

The Refuge — Free Admission This Weekend

The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is offering free admission over Memorial Day weekend. Normally $3 per vehicle, this is the rare chance to take the auto tour route through more than 5,000 acres of marshes, grasslands, and wooded areas without reaching for your wallet.

The Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge are also holding their annual meeting on Saturday, May 30, at 1pm in the new Community Nature Center at the refuge. It's open to the community and includes a look at the new building, the 2026 Spirit of the Wild Award, and some snacks. Worth RSVP-ing if you want to see the new center.

Honoring the Day: Ceremonies in Ridgefield and Vancouver

Memorial Day is, first and foremost, a day of remembrance. Ridgefield's American Legion Post 44 handles that with real community care, and Vancouver's annual ceremony at Fort Vancouver is one of the most meaningful events in the region.

In Ridgefield: American Legion Post 44

Post 44 will be out early Monday morning, placing flags along the roundabouts and downtown — you'll likely see them starting at 7am, flags up through 5pm. If you wake up to a flag-lined Main Street, that's them.

You can also pick up a poppy from Post 44 volunteers at Rosauers on Friday or Saturday, 9am to 2pm.

The main ceremony is Monday at 10am at Ridgefield Cemetery, off Hillhurst and Cemetery Road. It's a quiet, local, meaningful observance — the kind where you actually know some of the people in the crowd. Worth going.

In Vancouver: Fort Vancouver Memorial Day Observance

The Community Military Appreciation Committee (CMAC) presents Vancouver's Memorial Day Observance every year at the Bandstand on the Vancouver Barracks Parade Ground, and it's one of the best public ceremonies in the region — free, well-organized, and genuinely moving.

The ceremony traditionally includes a garrison flag raising, a Washington Army National Guard Howitzer cannon firing, and a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of fallen service members. Parking is available at Hudson's Bay High School and the NPS South Lot, with a free C-Tran shuttle. Confirm details and any speaker updates at cmac11.com.

There's also a separate ceremony at Vancouver Barracks National Cemetery (1455 E 4th Plain Blvd, Vancouver) starting at 10am — a more intimate observance at the actual burial grounds. Both are free and open to the public.

The Full Weekend at a Glance