It’s the unofficial kickoff to summer and it’s also a weekend to pause and remember those veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Tri-Town will commemorate Memorial Day weekend with a variety of activities, including solemn remembrances, a popular boat race, a geranium planting and a parade down Marion town center. 

One of the lively traditions closely associated with this area, the Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race, returns on the holiday.

Starting at 8:30 a.m., participants travel in homemade boats from Grandma Hartley’s Reservoir, Snipatuit Road, Rochester to the Mattapoisett Herring Weir at River Road and Route 6.

No boat show purchases allowed: Boats must be a homemade river racer design, created with any type of material. There are no limitations or restrictions on types of paddles.

Contestants must be at least 7 on Memorial Day. There will be two people in each boat. 

The awards program will be on Memorial Day evening at the Rochester Senior Center at 67 Dexter Lane.

Two nights before, to raise funds and enthusiasm for the race, a traditional ham and bean supper will be served from 5-7 p.m. at the Rochester Senior Center, 67 Dexter Lane.

Those attending can eat in, dine outside on the patio if weather permits, or take out their meal. Tickets can be purchased at the door and are $10 for adults and $5 for children younger than 12.

The meal will feature beans baked by bakers from town, coleslaw, potato salad, rolls and brown bread, with apple crisp for dessert, prepared by The Artisan Bake Shop. 

Of course, much of the weekend centers around honoring those who gave their lives in service to the country. 

A classic tradition, the planting of geraniums to honor their sacrifice, will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 28 at Evergreen Cemetery, Converse Road and Route 6, Marion.

Volunteers are welcome to assist. 

The day before Memorial Day, Sunday, May 29 Rochester hosts a service at noon at Rochester Town Hall. 

Molly Wronski will be the Project 351 speaker from Old Rochester Regional High School. Project 351 is an independent nonprofit organization that encourages leadership and service among youth.

In Marion, the day is commemorated with a procession that begins at 9 a.m. in front of the Music Hall, 164 Front St. 

In the event of rain, the event will be relocated to Sippican Elementary School.

The 2022 procession will step off from the Music Hall and head north on Front Street to the Veterans’ Memorial at Old Landing.

The procession and remembrances will feature the Sippican School Marching Band led by director Hannah Moore as well as The Portuguese American Band. 

The ceremony will conclude with members of the Select Board placing a wreath at the Veterans’ Memorial. The master of ceremonies for the event will be Major Andrew Bonney of the U.S. Air Force.

The featured speaker is Jack McLean, author of “Loon: A Marine Story,’’ a memoir about his service in the United States Marine Corps from 1966 to 1968.

Participants may attend the remembrances and along the parade route on Front Street between Cottage Street and Ryder Lane.

Mattapoisett’s Memorial Day ceremony will take place at The Center School on Monday, May 30, at 1:30 p.m. The Center School band will perform, and Old Rochester Regional student Sasha Volkema, a Project 351 representative, will deliver remarks.

Professor James Holmes from Naval War College will be the guest speaker.

Immediately following the ceremony, attendees will walk to place flowers and wreaths at memorials at the Mattapoisett Library and waterfront.