With only four days until Memorial Day Weekend, it’s looking increasingly unlikely that the stock market will rally to pre-2009 levels in time for the unofficial start of summer, making for another recession holiday. For other recession holidays in recent memory, it has been difficult to cut corners without looking like a cheapskate… Of course you didn’t re-gift an old box of chocolates for Mothers’ Day, or “splurge” on carnations for Valentine’s Day, right? Luckily, Memorial Day isn’t like those other holidays since the activities involved tend to be very budget-friendly. For the traditionalist, nothing beats a Memorial Day picnic or backyard barbecue. A good time can be had by all with some games, a grill, and food, making this the perfect occasion to get that enormous jar of mayonnaise you’ve been eyeing up at Costco. But if you’re feeling more adventurous, there are lots of other diversions:

KITES ARE FUN: If you want to join the throngs of “bennies” heading down the shore, check out the Wildwood Kite Festival running from Friday through Monday. With ocean temps likely ranking somewhere between “numbing” and “hi-ho hypothermia” and un-tanned skin covering every square inch of sand, it’s probably best to keep your eyes to the sky anyway, where you will see a myriad of international kites by day and illuminated international kites by night. There will also be a kite exhibition at the Wildwoods Convention Center.

KAYAKING IS, TOO: On Sunday, try going to Delaware River Day at Penn’s Landing, where you can sail on a schooner, get your face painted, hear live music, and go kayaking for free; and then gorge yourself on seafood.

VINO VERDE: If you’re in the mood to go all-out on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, the Brandywine River Blues Festival at Chaddsford Winery could be just the thing for you. Taste some wine and sample some live blues music for only $25 per person. Food is extra, but you are welcome to take along your own picnic.

EVERYBODY LOVES A PARADE (IN THE PIEROGI DISTRICT): What could be better than finishing up your Memorial Day weekend with a parade? The Port Richmond Parade will feature Grand Marshal Walter Milewski, a firefighter and Iraq War Veteran.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 19th, 2009 at 1:45 pm.