Memorial Day starts early

Laguna Beach will ring in the unofficial start of the summer season

on Memorial Day Monday, May 30, with breakfast, ceremonies and a noon

band concert.

The day will begin with the traditional pancake breakfast, from 7

to 10:30 a.m., in the park at the base of Myrtle Street.

Sponsored by the Laguna Beach Exchange Club, the breakfast is an

opportunity to celebrate the community before tourists flood the

town.

Firefighters will flip flapjacks and grill sausages, with the

makings supplied by Jolly Roger and Las Brisas. The menu also

includes coffee, milk and orange juice, all for $5.

There will be entertainment and a children’s opportunity prize

drawing. Proceeds will benefit local youth and child abuse prevention

programs.

At 11 a.m., Laguna Beach posts of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and

American Legion will host a formal ceremony at Monument Point in

Heisler Park honoring Americans who died in service to the country.

Music by Larry Worhman will begin at 10:30 a .m.; state

Assemblyman Todd Spitzer will be the keynote speaker.

Floral offerings will be presented by organizations and

individuals, later to be delivered to South Coast Medical Center

patients. A U.S. Marine firing detail will shoot the traditional

21-gun salute.

At noon, the 40-member Laguna Beach community band will play a

variety of patriotic music until 1 p.m. at Main Beach. The concert is

free.

Afterward, there will be plenty of time left in the day for family

picnics and barbecuing.