Memorial Day observances

Memorial Day is the traditional kickoff to summer, and there is plenty around town to do before the crowds start overflowing and the traffic backs up beyond reason.

The Exchange Club’s Annual Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast at Heisler Park is the highlight start to the season. For decades, locals have come out to watch the Laguna Beach Firefighters flippin’ flapjacks.

The event is sponsored by Las Brisas and the Jolly Roger.

Proceeds from the Memorial Day Breakfast benefit the Exchange Club’s Child Abuse Prevention Programs and local youth groups.

Entertainment this year includes Barbie and her baby sister Kelly, magical fairies and more.

For more information, call Sande St. John at 949-633-9429.

The Laguna Beach American Legion and VFW will conduct a Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday at Monument Point in Heisler Park.

The keynote speaker will be Rep. John Campbell. A Marine firing detail from Camp Pendleton will provide a 21-gun salute.

Music will be provided by Larry Wohrman of Diamond DJ’s Entertainment Co., beginning at 10:30 a.m. The public is encouraged to come early, as seating is limited. For more information, call Richard Moore at (949) 376-6340 or Dave Connell at (949) 494-2065.

Many organizations place floral offerings on the Heisler Park Memorial Monument prior to the ceremony. Anyone sending or bringing floral arrangements should make sure the organization’s name is attached. It is suggested that those having flowers delivered try to get them in place before the 11 a.m. start time. To participate in this part of the program, call Hal or Sandi Werthe at (949) 494-6016.

The Laguna Community Concert Band will then hold a free concert at Main Beach Park at the cobblestones. It will run from noon to 1 p.m. For more information, call (949) 497-2658.

The Monday holiday will mean that trash pickup is delayed a day.

Waste Management of Orange County’s trash and recycling pickup schedule will be delayed throughout the week of May 29. Customers in Laguna Beach should place their bins out for pickup one day later than usual, beginning May 30 through June 3.

“Customers who usually receive service on Monday will instead receive it Tuesday, and so on throughout the week, with Friday’s customers receiving service on Saturday,” said David Ross, senior district manager. “We appreciate our customers’ cooperation with the holiday schedule so that all of our employees can observe Memorial Day.”

All Waste Management of Orange County operations will be closed May 29 and will re-open for normal operations May 30.

For more information, call (949) 642-1191, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.cpt.26-memorialday-BPhotoInfoO21RATU720060526hfms3ikfMARK C. DUSTIN / COASTLINE PILOT(LA)American Legion Post 222 Commander Dave Connell salutes the flag during the Pledge of Allegiance at Memorial Day ceremonies at Heisler Park in 2003.