Area residents have a plethora of activities to choose from this weekend as the region celebrates Memorial Day and ushers in the unofficial start of summer.

The observances begin Sunday, May 26, when the South Freeport Congregational Church, 98 South Freeport Road, holds a special lay service honoring veterans at 9:30 a.m. The Freeport Flag Ladies, a group of three women who have gathered on the corner of School and Main streets every Tuesday since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, will be honored guests, and there will be reserved seating for veterans.

Freeport Flag Lady Elaine Greene said Memorial Day is a time to honor all those who died in full honor and total sacrifice of their country.

“This day should be held in high esteem,” said Greene. “Unfortunately, Memorial Day gets mixed up with Veterans Day by some.”

Greene, a 44-year resident of Freeport, said the town devotes more of its resources to a large July 4 celebration.

“Memorial Day always has been a small celebration,” said Greene. “But it does honor our fallen in a respectful way.”

On Monday, May 27, Freeport hosts its annual Memorial Day Parade. The parade will start at 9:30 a.m. at the corner of Holbrook and Main streets. According to the Freeport Police Department, the parade will begin on Holbrook Street, then turn left onto Main Street, where there will be a brief pause for a gun salute and “Taps” at the monument in front of Town Hall. The parade will continue north on Main Street, turn right onto School Street, turn right onto Park Street and end in Memorial Park. The park ceremonies will begin at 10, and Main Street will be closed during the parade.

Durham has combined its traditional Memorial Day festivities into one large celebration on May 27, dubbed Durham Community Day, according to organizer Nancy Decker. The event that draws the most interest is the 10th annual Cow Chip raffle to benefit the Durham Community School sixth-grade class trip to the University of Maine’s 4H Learning Center at Bryant Pond.

Jenna the cow will make her appearance at noon at the Durham Community School on Hallowell Road. Lunch and desserts will be available to purchase starting at 11 a.m. and participants do not need to be present to win.

“Tickets are available from any fifth-grader or their parents for a $10 donation or from the Durham Get N Go,” said Decker. “A square will be assigned randomly, it’s really a lot of fun provided Jenna does her business quickly.”

The Durham PTA will have a wide selection of games and beginning at 11 a.m. at the Durham Community School.

For those arriving early to see Jenna, the Durham PTA will be hosting a Fun Fair with games such as ring toss, prizes, and the ever popular “moon bounce”. The fair will kick off at 11 a.m and food will be served said Decker.

Durham Community Day will also feature a 5k Family Fun Run/walk that begins at the AMVETs Hall on Royalsborough Road at 8 a.m., with proceeds benefiting the organization. Per tradition, a Memorial Day parade will line up at 9:30 a.m. at the Durham Get & Go on Davis Road and begin at 10 a.m. According to Durham Town Clerk Shannon Plourde, the parade floats and marchers will make a right on Route 136, stop at the gazebo, and finish at the Durham Community School after an hour or so.

“I feel like the Community Day is a great way to put all of these events under one umbrella,” said Decker. “The interest is definitely there and growing.”