By Mary O’KEEFE

Memorial Day weekend means it’s time for Fiesta Days in La Cañada Flintridge where every hour for three days seems to be filled with community events.

The long weekend is organized and sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce and Community Association.

“There is a tremendous focus on Memorial Day and what it means,” said Pat Anderson, president and CEO, La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce.

Although there are many events beginning on May 25 through May 27, the real focus will be on the parade on Monday which this year is titled “America the Beautiful Parade.”

“Our grand marshal is Army Sgt. First Class retired John Bodnar, who is a Purple Heart [recipient],” Anderson said.

The parade will also be honoring Ivan Cregger, a WWII veteran who is 102 years old.

“And this year we are recognizing our Gold Star families,” she added.

A Gold Star family is one that experienced the loss of an immediate family member who died as the result of an active-duty military service, according to American’s Gold Star Families.

Anderson said organizers took a lot of time in deciding how to honor these families and their loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. They wanted to make certain the families were respected. There will be banners at Memorial Park with photos of those who lost their lives while in service to their country.

This marks the 51st year of the Memorial Day/Fiesta Day event.

“It is a community effort,” Anderson said. “Please come out and join us.”