Celebrate Memorial Day in Redondo Beach

Editor's note: A version of this article appeared before Memorial Day 2012. It has been republished and updated for 2013.

Memorial Day is a time to remember the fallen, and the city of Redondo Beach will commemorate the holiday with a service Monday afternoon at the Veterans Park memorial next to the Redondo Beach Pier.

The service, which will begin at 1 p.m., will include a keynote speech, remembrances, and more.

The ceremony's keynote speaker will be Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, who represents Redondo Beach. The event will also include music from the Redondo Union High School Band and the Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipes and Band.

After the service, the Redondo Beach Elks Lodge No. 1378 will host a barbecue in the parking lot south of the lodge and next to the park. While veterans and members of the military can receive a free lunch, others are asked for a $5 donation.

Those who don't plan to attend the ceremony and want to spend some time in the sun can check out Seaside Lagoon in King Harbor, which traditionally opens during the Memorial Day weekend.

Because Memorial Day is the unofficial start of barbecue season, Patch has also rounded up some great ideas for what to serve at a holiday barbecue for readers who need last-minute inspiration. Check out these grilling recipes—we've even got one for vegans—as well as recipes for block-party beans and summer garden potato salad.

As a reminder, Redondo Beach city offices and the North Branch and Main libraries will all be closed Monday in honor of the holiday, as will local post offices.

Trash collection will be delayed one day due to Memorial Day, according to a notice posted on the city's website.

Additionally, there will be no street sweeping Monday; the regular street-sweeping schedule will resume Tuesday.