NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 25, 2020. Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer will look different this year in New Mexico due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Many events have already been canceled. Here’s what you need to know about the Memorial Day holiday.

United States Flag

In observance of Memorial Day, United States flags should be flown at half staff from sunrise until noon, and then raise it to full height from noon to sundown.

Friday, President Trump ordered flags to fly at half-staff to honor Coronavirus victims. Flags should be at half-staff immediately for the next three days per the President’s Tweet.

Event Information

This year Rio Rancho will host a virtual Memorial Day ceremony. There will be a remembrance ceremony that will be posted at noon on Memorial Day to the city’s website and social media pages.

Also, the Santa Fe National Cemetery is making some changes this Memorial Day weekend. The cemetery will be open from sunrise to sunset on Memorial but public events will not take place as a result of the coronavirus. Families and friends are encouraged to still individually place flowers and small flags at their veteran’s gravesite.

Another big event canceled this year is the Memorial Day celebration at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial. The cemetery staff will still hold and record a private service that the public can watch on the National Cemetery Administration’s website or Facebook page.

Also, the National American Legion organization is urging families across the country to light candles at dusk on Memorial Day as a way to honor fallen heroes safely at home.

Outdoor recreational activities

  • People can head to State Parks for day use only. Camping areas, visitor centers, and large enclosed indoor spaces remain closed.
  • Golf courses
  • Outdoor tennis facilities

Park hours for Memorial Day:

  • Cimarron Canyon 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Ute Lake 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Brantley Lake 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Sumner Lake 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Caballo Lake 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Cerrillos Hills 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Storrie Lake 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Villanueva 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Oasis 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Oliver Lee 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Clayton Lake & Dinosaur Trackways 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Pancho Villa 7:00 am – 4:00 pm
  • Mesilla Valley Bosque 7:00 am – 4:00 pm
  • Living Desert Zoo and Gardens 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Coyote Creek 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • City of Rocks 7:00 am – 4:00 pm
  • Rockhound 7:00 am – 4:00 pm

Beginning Saturday, May 23rd the quality waters section of Navajo Lake will be open for day-use only. The rest of the park remains closed.

Also, the National Park Service is asking the public not to get close to wildlife, especially wild rabbits. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHDV2) has recently been detected in wild cottontail rabbits and jackrabbits in the southwest including in Bernalillo County.

Fire Restrictions

Smoking, fireworks, campfires, open burning, and open fires are prohibited on non-municipal, non-federal, and non-tribal lands statewide. The restrictions become effective at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 13, 2020 and will remain in effect until rescinded.

The Carson, Cibola and Santa Fe National Forests will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions became effective at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. The restrictions are an effort to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires. The restrictions will be implemented forest-wide on the Carson and Santa Fe National Forests and on Mount Taylor, Magdalena, Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts of the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands.

Trash, recycling, and large items will be collected on Memorial Day

The City’s Solid Waste Management Department will collect trash, recycling, and large items on Memorial Day. Customers who are regularly serviced on Mondays should put their trash and recycling at the curb for collection. Also, any large items scheduled through 311 will also be collected.

All three convenience centers, Montessa Park, Don Reservoir, and Eagle Rock will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, due to longer wait times, the facilities will not admit cars after 4:30 p.m. The Cerro Colorado Landfill will also be open and in full operation from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 25.

  • Eagle Rock Convenience Center, 6301 Eagle Rock Rd. NE
  • Don Reservoir Convenience Center, 114th St. and Central SW
  • Montessa Park Convenience Center, 3512 Los Picaros Rd. SW
  • Cerro Colorado Landfill, 18000 Cerro Colorado SW

Retail Businesses

All retailers, including big-box stores can operate 25% of maxim occupancy as determined by relevant fire marshal or fire department.

Restaurants and Bars

Under the current health order, restaurants and bars are allowed to process takeout orders for curbside pickup or delivery. Dining in a restaurant is still prohibited at this time